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Trauma Surgeon: Please Avoid These Top Summer Accidents

By U.S. News & World Report

Summer is in full swing. But opportunities for outdoor fun also present the potential for serious unintended injuries.

As a trauma surgeon, I have seen just about anything and everything cause injuries — fences, pools, ATVs, ladders, lawnmowers, arrows and yes, even lightbulbs. Clearly you cannot live in a bubble, but there are some basic safety tips that you and your family need to keep in mind as this season plays out.

[See: Top Reasons Kids End Up in the Hospital.]

May kicked off what we call “trauma season” in many emergency rooms across the U.S. To avoid injuries while enjoying outdoor activities, especially those that are water-related, keep these tips in mind.

Cultivate Common (Swim) Sense

Children, teens and adults are much, much more likely to actually drown than experience what is termed dry or secondary drowning. Because of that, basic swim safety should always be followed and enforced. Children and teens should be supervised closely at all times while in and around the pool. Just because someone knows how to swim does not mean she cannot drown. Water safety and swimming classes are offered in most communities (local community centers, gyms) and are highly recommended. Even if you do not own swimming pool, these classes still apply to most families. Children often attend pool parties or visit the homes of friends with pools and need to know basic water safety.

[See: 6 Health Hazards to Watch Out for This Summer Other Than Skin Cancer.]

Know the Different Types of ‘Drowning’

Dry drowning and secondary drowning are not medical diagnoses. In fact, they are both layman’s terms to describe different scenarios. Dry drowning describes a very rare situation in which breathing in water causes the vocal cords to spasm or close shut. This leads to a lack of oxygen to the brain. Dry drowning has the same symptoms as a drowning situation, and should be treated the same way by calling 911 and immediately beginning CPR. Secondary drowning describes a situation in which a child or adult inhales a relatively small amount of water that leads to them being unable to breathe hours later, due to inflammation and fluid in the lungs. Again, this process is not only incredibly rare but treatable if recognized. Symptoms of a problem, such as coughing, difficulty breathing, behavior changes, irritability and feelings of tiredness should prompt medical attention (a visit to the ER or doctor’s office) and may require admission to a hospital.

Jump Versus Dive

Being smart about water safety is not limited to the pool deck. Lakes, ponds and creeks are popular sources for summertime amusement and again, for injury. Diving into anything other than the deep end of a pool or an ocean is dangerous. Just because you did it last year or even last week does not mean it is safe — water levels change often, depending on the weather. You cannot judge how deep any water is just by how it looks. Diving accidents are very serious and can not only lead to drowning but also paralysis.

Brush Up on Boating Basics

Although driving a boat may not require a license in every state, it does require the same level of responsibility and sobriety. Alcohol and motorized vehicles, either on land or water, do not mix. Boating accidents do happen, and unfortunately they often involve the propeller. Because of this, every boat should be equipped with appropriately sized life vests for every occupant and a first aid kit that includes a tourniquet. Tourniquets are life-saving devices that can stop serious bleeding in the arms or legs. Whether you plan on spending any time on the water this summer, everyone needs to know how to apply a tourniquet and training is available in many communities. Check out this guide on basic tourniquet use.

[See: 8 Must-Know First-Aid Tips.]

Take Care With Lawn Mowers

The sound of a lawn mower may be synonymous with summer, but lawn mowers are also the cause of many injuries. Despite warm temperatures, it is important to wear clothing that covers the arms and legs to help protect against objects that could be thrown by lawn mower blades. Closed-toe and sturdy shoes should be worn, as well as eye protection. In addition, children should be kept indoors while lawn mowers are in the yard. Kids can be injured not only from flying debris but also from the lawn mowers themselves, especially in the case of riding lawn mowers. A person operating a riding lawn mower often cannot see or hear small children approach, due to the height and loud noise of the mower, and unfortunately, children fall victim to life-threatening lawn mower injuries every year.

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Trauma Surgeon: Please Avoid These Top Summer Accidents originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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