So much so, the concept of 'wei yu chou mou' 未雨绸缪have gone to the dogs.
Yes, we boast that we have First World this First World that... but come to emergencies such as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, the Aceh Tsunami, how First World would our reactions be?
It is a farce to put on a front saying that we are ready.
Take Japan for example, the Self-Defense Forces took TWO days to reach the quake victims back in 1995. The then-coalition party took a beating, the PM took a beating for being incompetent.
The Great Hanshin earthquake left Kobe shattered, fire broke out killing people who survived collapsed houses.
Eventually, 5000 people dead, 200,000 people homeless and we are only discussing about Kobe. Experts dared not predict what damage if the next big one hits Tokyo.
Devastation after the quake
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A description of what the major civilian exercise that was conducted recently
Exercise Northstar V saw the coming together of SPF and other agencies
during a civil emergency. It was not only a test of the level and standards
of co-ordination but also proof to the public that Singapore is capable of
tackling the threat of terrorism if it strikes.
http://app.mof.gov.sg/cutwaste/suggestionview.asp?id=28575
Pray thee, whatever happened to the PEOPLE who are suppose to be there?!
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Some commentary and feedback as quoted:
In the first place, how many teenagers in Singapore know
what's the hell is Northstar V? They don't really know this star. Their minds
are only filled every week or every year by TV's non-stop organising programmes
like "Superstar", "Campus Superstar", "Singapore Idol" & all its clones. The
fact that such constant exposure by teenagers & adherence to their popular
idols in both acting & music arena, make most of them "day-dream" to be like
their superstars, trying to hit on their vocals or so-called talents for quick
mega bucks. Money & Fame are all in the minds, not the threat of terrorism
nor morality. Our teenagers grow up in pampered environment, equipped with
expensive mobile phones, laptops, designer clothings, & etc. They are not
known to work hard for the money. Instead they play hard to spend parents'
money. In such a peaceful & lack of inspirational country like Singapore,
teenagers got material things almost freely or easily from parents. Who will
then be concerned that these things can all be blast away by
terrorism?
Hi all,
This is what I did after my class started to doze off when I was
talking about the Emergency Exercise "NorthStar V".
Instead of reading to
them the details, I asked 4 of the boys to go to the back of the class and
pretend that a bomb has gone off in class. The whole class has to then evacuate
outside as the bomb was a "chemical bomb". Those who were walking too slowly
were "choked" by the smoke and became casualties. They like the overall exercise
and it jolted them up abit.
... In fact, I have noticed that some of my
students did not even watch the news at all. They looked incredibly "blur" when
I told them about various things.
...Regards,
Raem Tan Zhi Yan.
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Sad, but a true reality of what our generation of today in SG is. I challenge anyone who would raise to answer the following questions:
1) What is ABC stands for when used in CPR?
2) If a man is bleeding severely on his head, what do you do to stop the bleeding?
3) Where is the carotid artery?
4) How many compressions do you give to a man whose heart has stopped beating?
5) How do you escape from a room full of smoke?
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Answers:
1) Airway, Breathing, Circulation
2) Apply sufficent pressure on the wound. Use a pad or improvise if needed. Place additional pad over the blood-soaked one and do not lessen the pressure until assured that bleeding have been controlled.
The carotid arteries are located on both sides of your neck and carry oxygen-rich blood to the brain (See picture below). You can feel the carotid arteries by gently feeling the pulse on the lower part of either side of your neck.
3)Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
4) Compressions are given in such a cycle: 2 breaths - 15 counts (Repeat 4 times)
5) Escape is best achievable by crawling or moving close to the floor. Hot air rises, so does smoke. By keeping low, you are able to see your way to the exit. Remember when fire occurs, the lights WILL not be there for you, unless there are emergency lights
