http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:08:28 PDT Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:08:28 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=588336 We all have heard the story of the boy who cried "wolf," in which a sheepherder continually calls for help for a nonexistent wolf attack on his flock. After repeated false alarms, the villagers no longer responded to his cry--even when a real attack finally occurred. Disaster eventually happens after complacency sets in. Have we in the fire service fallen for the same scenario with regard to automatic fire alarm responses? Do we casually answer these electronic calls for help after growing used to the many times we have responded and there was no emergency? Even though the majority of automatic fire alarm calls do not lead to full-blown structure fires, we must not fall victim to the "boy who cried `wolf`" syndrome concerning these types of responses. Becoming more familiar with the different types of automatic fire alarm systems--focusing on those found in strip malls, townhouses, garden apartments, large covered malls, and private residences--will make us better prepared to mitigate automatic fire alarms within these occupancies. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=588311 Emergency services trade magazines, courses, and videos present much information regarding vehicle accidents that occur on land, but very little information is currently available about vehicle accidents that involve a body of water. Not only is Florida surrounded by water but, like many other localities, it also contains countless natural and man-made bodies of water. Water-retention areas, such as canals, ponds, lakes, creeks, are required for virtually all types of construction in our state. These bodies of water are in our neighborhoods, lie dangerously close to highways, and are along rural roads. Often, we are called to incidents where vehicles, many times with people inside, have intentionally or accidentally left the road and ended up in the water. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=588317 The Fifth Door and Modified Dash Lift extrication techniques described below will save time, require fewer tools, and produce effective results. They can be used at incidents involving vehicles with light or heavy damage. If there are one or more victims with head, spinal, fracture, or other injuries that require more room to apply necessary medical treatment, these techniques can be used in conjunction with each other to produce impressive results. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=576916 ״The United States has the highest fire losses in terms of both frequency and total losses of any modern technological society. New facilities and renovation projects need to be designed to incorporate efficient, cost-effective passive and automatic fire protection systems.״ This article summarizes importand aspects of building design to mitigate the potenial for los due to fire. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=588313 The following photos of a carpet store/warehouse fire in Bradenton, Florida, present several points to ponder concerning fireground operations... http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=378544 ״The mnemonic DEEP-IN stands for a series of easy-to-administer, officebased screening tests designed to streamline initial assessment of the geriatric patient. These screens can quickly identify signs of delirium, dementia, depression, and adverse drug effects; vision and hearing deficits; risk for future impairments in activities of daily living; incontinence, and malnutrition. The author developed the mnemonic from personal experience and from an evidence-based application of validated geriatric and geropsychiatric studies.״ http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=765436 Abstract: Online learning is now widely recognized and accepted as a viable alternative to face-to-face teaching. It has opened up learning opportunities for people of many ages in many different locations that previously did not have access to a wide range of educational choices. The continuing challenge is to ensure that online courses embrace the best of both worlds, combining the flexibility and accessibility afforded by the electronic format with the benefits of interaction and communication as seen in the face-to-face classroom. Carefully choosing movies that demonstrate course concepts and integrating them into the online course curriculum provides an excellent platform for learner–learner exchange and engagement and can increase communication and collaboration among participants. This paper recommends the movie Twelve O'Clock High as one choice for enriching the online learning experience for students studying leadership as it provides clear representations of theoretical concepts and examples of effective and ineffective leadership behavior.Volume 8, No. 3, September 2012, pp. 238-247HTML / PDF http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=764694 Abstract: In response to the Institute of Medicine's focus on adverse events, fatal medication errors, and Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies, best educational practices and current technology were applied within a knowledge translation model to embed a single consistent, evidence-supported medication calculation process, dimensional analysis (DA), across the undergraduate nursing curriculum at the authors' institution. Rosswurm and Larrabee's (1999) conceptual model for change to evidence-based practice guided the implementation process. Beginning in May 2010, four self-paced online DA modules developed on Sonic Foundry's Mediasite webcasting platform using a problem-based format were incorporated into a continuing education packet to build foundational faculty competency and teaching consistency, and to serve as a basis for classroom education and ongoing student remediation. Impact surveys were conducted April 2011 following three semesters of use. Consistent application and reinforcement of the DA strategy has resulted in student and faculty reports of greater student calculation competency and confidence, which will potentially translate into increased patient safety in practice.Vol. 8, No. 2, June 2012, pp. 136-146HTML / PDF http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=588286 According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, from 1996 to 2001 (2001 data were preliminary and not final), there were 7,997 crashes in the state in which the first or subsequent harmful event was indicated as "ran off road into water." In these crashes, there were 6,947 people injured and 367 fatalities. These data come from Florida law enforcement agency traffic accident reports. These incredible numbers demand that the fire service enhance its extrication skills to include removing trapped victims when their vehicles enter bodies of water. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=506232 גילוי האש וניצול האנרגיה שלה לצורכי האדם הוא ללא ספק אחד מהישגיו הבולטים של המין האנושי. מהי בעצם האש? איך גילו את האש וכיצד השתמש בה האדם לצרכיו? הכל על האש (!) בתוספת כללי בטיחות.