safety briefing june 16, 2015 topics for today 1.mosquito facts 2.dealing with mosquitos 3.water
TRANSCRIPT
Safety BriefingJune 16, 2015
Topics for today
1.Mosquito Facts2.Dealing with Mosquitos3.Water
But First….
Kirk McManus1972
Mosquito FactsOnly the female mosquito bites you (no blood, no mosquito eggs)Male mosquitos live two weeks (they mate once and then die)Female mosquitos live about a month mate once, suck blood, lay eggs, repeat (possibly thousands of eggs)
from mosquito egg to adult mosquito takes two weeksCan travel up to 2 miles (usually 50 yards…sunup and sundown)Fly upwind looking for you (they home in on CO2 and Octenol)
They spread disease:West Nile VirusChikugunya VirusMalaria Dengue Fever Yellow Fever Encephalitis
Chikungunya Virus Cases
2014 2015
West Nile Virus Cases
2014 2015
More Rain…More Breeding Locations…More Mosquitos
Anticipate an increased number of mosquito borne disease cases this year.
Don’t freak out…Rarely fatal
Most people (70% – 80%) infected have no or very mild symptomsFor the 20% with symptoms … usually minor (headache, joint pain, and fever)
1% of cases can be severe
Most at risk: older adults, and people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease
Decreasing the Number of Mosquitos is the Best Plan1. Drain the Swamp (no standing water)
don’t give ‘em a place to lay eggs
2. Kill Them Amazon
Home Depot
Mosquito Magnet Patriot … $330 Stinger ½ Acre … $25Supplies = $25 a month Supplies = $6 a month
CO2 and Octenol Octenol
You won’t be able to kill all of the female mosquitos
So … keep ‘em from biting you (no blood = no eggs)
1. Turn on the fan (ultralights don’t fly in high wind)2. Apply Repellent (it lasts 5 to 8 hours)
PicaridinDeetp-menthane-3,8-diol
See handout for recommendations
Hydrate, Hydrate, HydrateObserve the color of your urine … between clear and dark
Any liquid will hydrate you … water works the best Sports Drinks … only if you are doing an intense workout for over an hour Coconut Water … it’s OK, just expensive Water with Vitamins … you’re better off getting vitamins from your diet Purified Water Drinks … minerals are missing, salt and sugar is added
Bottled Water or Tap Water? Jim says “tap water”½ of bottled water comes from the municipal tap (then it’s purified)Safety Standards for tap water are often more rigorous than for bottled water“Best of Both” solution…home water filter and reusable bottles
Questions?Comments?Concerns?
Did Everyone Sign the Roster?
I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.