[nabs-l] nabs-l Digest, Vol 106, Issue 27

[Ben Fulton]

Hi Caitlin,
 
Thank you for your response.  I'm still not sure what to do if an unconscious person is in a room alone.  How would I know that there is someone in the room if no one answers?  Also, what if I had to assist a deaf person?
 
I also want to be prepared if the person accepting my application ask me a question like. - How would you plan an escape route? If there was a fire would you be able to see the flames and know which way to exit the building?
 
I know the protocols for a dangerous person/lock down situation on campus, but what if they ask me - How would you be able to tell if a threatening person was coming toward your location? - I could say by sound but I want to make sure that my answers instill confidence in my ability to do the job.  As well as I want to be able to do the job.  The last thing I want is to take on a responsibility as a emergency captain and be incompetent at my job. People could get seriously injured if I am not qualified to perform the duties I agree to.  
 
I also would welcome feedback on the feasibility of this task.  How do the other members of NABS feel about the ability of a fully blind student to ensure the safety of other students on campus?
 
Also, I want to know how I would instill confidence in sighted students.  How do I convince them that I am capable of looking after the emergency situation?
 
I appreciate your feedback and look forward to more responses about this
 
Sincerely,
Ben
 
> Hi Ben,
> As for fires, heat and the detection of smoke would be the most important.. The range of fires is detected mostly by heat and how thick smoke is. A sighted person would be able to tell if a fire is really bad by the color of the smoke, but I usually use how strong the smoke smells. Regardless, if there is a fire in the building, everyone should evacuate no matter how big or small it is. It is however good to know where all the fire exits and fire extinguishers are in case of a tiny fire like in a garbage can. 
> If someone is unconscious, I assume they wouldn't be in a room alone and that someone would call for help for them. A d if you are in the room as well to tell if they are unconsciouss, repeating their name, ask if they are okay and if no response then I'd assume they were non-responsive. You can also lift their arm up and if it falls to the ground then they are unconscious, because no one who is conscious would want/be willing to let their arm fall on top of them.
> To assess an injury...hmmm.. I would ask what level of pain the person is feeling on a scale from one to ten. If it is a cut or something I would get cloth and have pressure applied to the wounded area, as far as something like a break, I am not really sure. It's always good to learn basic first aid and safety measures in different situations.
> If there is a threatening person on campus, it is best for students and faculty to stay where they are (or get inside), go into a classroom or somewhere else potentially safe, stay low to the crowd, under a desk or something like that. Don't be near windows and lock all doors. I think most schools nowadays have a system that if there issuspicious activity on campus you can sign up for emails or text messages to alert you.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> Cheers,
> Caitlin
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> > On Aug 24, 2015, at 17:17, Ben Fulton via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Greetings fellow students.
> > 
> > I was thinking that I would like to become the Emergency Captain for the building I have most of my classes in.  Perhaps not this year as I am new to campus but perhaps next year after I have had time to learn where all the exits and other important features are located.  While discussing this with a sighted friend of mine she brought up several good questions I did not have ready answers for, so I thought I would ask members of this list to help me with this.  
> > 
> > 1. In case of a fire how could you tell if flames were imminent? - I thought by heat but I don't think heat alone would be sufficient.
> > 
> > 2. How would you be able to quickly assess the level of personal injury?
> > 
> > 3 Would you be able to know if someone is unconscious and in need of assistance? - Seriously, if someone was unconscious how would you know that they were in the room?
> > 
> > 4. - Basically all these questions add up to asking - would you actually be able to do the job?
> > 
> > I am nearly completely blind with no detail left so I would not be able to see if there was a person in a room or not.
> > 
> > Other concerns might also include, - How would you deal with a situation involving a dangerous person on campus posing a risk to other students?
> > 
> > And please help me think of any other concerns that might come up.  I would like to have thought out and reasonable answers before putting in my request.
> > 
> > Be Well,
> > Ben 
> >