2009 National Storm Chaser Convention

[Jason Foster]

OK, I know the organizers haven't posted anything yet, nor is the website released yet, but I was thinking about it the other day.....What's going to be in store for this years 2009 National Storm Chaser Convention (NSCC).

Perhaps some thoughts and suggestions for the guys planning the event. A reminder to get those videos ready for video night. Perhaps suggest some T-shirt designs.

What if any activities are people planning before or after the event. I personally have been thinking of extending the trip to a week, to spend more time in the mountains...or maybe go check out downtown for once.

 

[Dann Cianca]

Suggestion:

"Storm Chaser (first responder) first aid course" Maybe have someone come in and hold a first aid course for storm chasers who sometimes are the first on the scene of a weather disaster. I would pay extra for this.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

Suggestion:

"Storm Chaser (first responder) first aid course" Maybe have someone come in and hold a first aid course for storm chasers who sometimes are the first on the scene of a weather disaster. I would pay extra for this.

That's a very prctical idea Dann. Also, training chasers for lightning victims should be included in that training. Seeing that many chasers usually get too close to the storms - I would call that a 'must have' part of that training.

Also, driving habits in/around convergence should get addressed as well...

 

[Steve Polley]

I would like to second the first aid/first responder training for storm chasers. As a volunteer firefighter, I think this would prove invaluable to the areas that we assist in.

 

[Dann Cianca]

I just think it could be something that we'd sign up in advance for and pay an extra fee so that it doesn't get tacked on to the registration fee for everyone. I think enough people might be interested to make it worth while.

 

[mikedeason]

I'm sorry to be a killjoy on this, but I just don't see this as being a good idea. I can't speak for Tim, Roger, etc., but the potential liability issues that could crop up would be prohibitive from my point of view.

Even though it's been two years since I've been to one, I hope the convention (which I do hope to attend this coming Feb.) will continue to focus on areas of chase strategy, meteorology, forecasting, case studies, videography/photography and, of course, video night. When any convention or conference starts trying to encompass every niche within the whole it usually begins to spread itself thin and the core group to which it caters tends to become uninterested.

Just my $0.02 worth.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

How would it be anymore of a liability than if someone got first aid training from the red cross?

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

How would it be anymore of a liability than if someone got first aid training from the red cross?

FWIW - I think Mike is referring to 'liability' that will be assumed if one tries to help someone - and something worse occurs as a a result of that help.

On the other hand - if one doesn't act if/when someone is struck by lightning - either directly or indirectly - they will die quickly if their heart isn't restarted and rhythmic breathing restored.
Or die from a rapid loss of blood if they have a 2x4 through their leg.

There is a point where is is necessary for intervention to be initiated in these instances - and others like them.

Evaluating the extent of injury will be necessary to either initiate emergency treatment or to allow the EMT crew to come about. It is a question of the present and clear danger to the person(s) with trauma/distress...

 

[David Drummond]

I would like to second the first aid/first responder training for storm chasers. As a volunteer firefighter, I think this would prove invaluable to the areas that we assist in.

First Responder training probably would not be possible in venue like this. I don't know how it is in other states, but when I took mine, I had to go to a 3 hour night class 3 days a week for 2 months and then take a state test for certification.

Now, having a CPR/first aid class might very well be doable, as those are often done in one session by the Red Cross. I'll talk with Roger and Tim about that one when the planning starts. I think that is a great idea and something that would be directly beneficial. I know many times the Red Cross has a small fee involved, not sure what it is right now but something like $25 comes to mind?

Having the Red Cross do it should eliminate any liability issues as far as the convention/organizers go...it's the same training anyone off the street can go down to the Red Cross and sign up for. Might be an "extra" that could be packed into Sunday afternoon after the "official" convention concludes, for those that want it, like we have some other things in the past.

 

[mikedeason]

How would it be anymore of a liability than if someone got first aid training from the red cross?

How about standardized training by certified instructors from an organization with a Congressional charter to provide such services?

If there are going to be certified instructors there, then by all means, have the training. Fair enough. I just fail to see why it should be part of the convention itself.

Better yet, why not just get involved with your local Red Cross chapter and get the training there?

I'm sorry, I think it's a bit silly to try and continue to bloat the convention into something beyond what it was originally intended to be; chasers getting together and having a good time, sharing war stories, getting kicked out of the lobby of the Holiday Inn at 2AM, and such. At least that's pretty much how I remembered the times I attended.

 

[David Drummond]

FWIW - I think Mike is referring to 'liability' that will be assumed if one tries to help someone - and something worse occurs as a a result of that help.

On the other hand - if one doesn't act if/when someone is struck by lightning - either directly or indirectly - they will die quickly if their heart isn't restarted and rhythmic breathing restored.
Or die from a rapid loss of blood if they have a 2x4 through their leg.

There is a point where is is necessary for intervention to be initiated in these instances - and others like them.

Evaluating the extent of injury will be necessary to either initiate emergency treatment or to allow the EMS crew to come about. It is a question of the present and clear danger to the person(s) with trauma/distress...

The thing is, most, if not all states, have a Good Samaritan law that protects from that sort of thing, provided you don't try anything outside what you have been trained to do.

Those that have ever arrived in a town hit by a tornado immediately after the fact know that the official responders are few, and are not enough to do all that needs to be done. Having a chaser or two trained in cpr/basic first aid on the scene could assist with minor injuries allowing the initial EMS personnel to tend to the more seriously wounded. You would be at their direction of course and willing to step out of the way when asked to allow more experienced folks to take over.

But yeah, how many people know the correct way to initiate CPR (hint, it's not usually what you see on TV)? How about assist a choking victim next time your chase partner chokes on an Allsups burrito, or lighting strike, or how about a rattlesnake bite on the side of the road? All sorts of ways your chasing and chase partners could benefit from that training, aside from natural disaster assistance.

 

[mikedeason]

This is all true. But between now and the convention, most of us will probably have four chances or more to receive this type of training from a local Red Cross chapter.

Again, just my opinion.

 

[Jay McCoy]

THe big issue with any 1st aid/cpr training at the convention is time. It would have to occur on Sunday since usually saturdays are already full and any CPR/1st aid training is a minimum of 4 hrs and most are 8 hr courses to be certified. I have to re-up mine every 2 years and we break it into 2 4hr sessions for CPR. Also the American Heart Assoc. course is better than the Red Cross because they certify for 2 years and RC is only 1 year.

The 1st aid course is 8 hrs for basic 1st aid and like David said is a 40hr course for 1st responder certification.

I think it would be better for people to just take these at home on their own schedule since it is a full day commitment. I do think it is a very good idea for any chaser or citizen in general to have CRP/1st aid training.

 

[mikedeason]

Also the American Heart Assoc. course is better than the Red Cross because they certify for 2 years and RC is only 1 year.

Never had the AHA training. Thanks for the heads up on that Jay, going to look into it.

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Why doesn't everyone just get their EMT training, then we'll really be able to help out there. FWIW, given the current trends in chasing, I think chasers and ultimately everyone (including non-chasers) would benefit more from training on how to actually chase, rather than spend time on any sort of responder training; it doesn't do you much good to have responder training when you're the one that needs the responding...