< PreviousEMERGENCY GUIDE 202348 Make time for your mental health E mergencies can affect your emotional well- EHLQJVRLW·VLPSRUWDQWWRWDNHFDUHRI\RXUVHOI during stressful times. Emotional reactions can include: • Feelings of anxiety and sadness • Hopelessness 'LIÀFXOW\VOHHSLQJ • Changes in appetite 'LIÀFXOW\PDNLQJGHFLVLRQVRUVWD\LQJIRFXVHG • Fatigue, irritability or anger • Aches and pains Reactions such as these are normal, and most will be temporary. However, the World Health Organization notes that the prevalence of common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety is expected to more than double in a humanitarian crisis. Road to recovery Getting your life back in a routine that is comfortable takes time. • Take care of your safety. Find a safe place to stay and make sure your physical health needs, and those of your family, are addressed. Seek medical attention if necessary. • Limit your exposure to the sights and sounds of disaster, especially on television, the radio and in the newspapers. • Eat healthily. During times of stress, it is important that you maintain a balanced diet and drink plenty of water. • Get some rest. With so much to do, it may EHGLIÀFXOWWRKDYHHQRXJKWLPHWRUHVWRUJHW adequate sleep. Giving your body and mind a break can boost your ability to cope with the stress you may be experiencing. • Stay connected with family and friends. Giving and getting support is one of the most important things you can do. Try to do something as a family that you have all enjoyed in the past. • Be patient with yourself and with those around you. Recognise that everyone is stressed and may need some time to put their feelings and thoughts in order. That includes you. • Set priorities. Tackle tasks in small steps. • Gather information about assistance and resources that will help you and your family members meet your disaster-related needs. 6WD\SRVLWLYH5HPLQG\RXUVHOIRIKRZ\RX·YH FRSHGVXFFHVVIXOO\LQGLIÀFXOWWLPHVLQWKHSDVW Reach out when you need support and help others when they need it. When to seek help ,I\RXÀQG\RXUVHOIRUDORYHGRQHH[SHULHQFLQJ some of the feelings and reactions listed below for two weeks or longer, this may be a sign that you need to reach out for additional assistance. • Crying spells or bursts of anger 'LIÀFXOW\HDWLQJ 'LIÀFXOW\VOHHSLQJ • Losing interest in things • Increased physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach aches • Fatigue • Feeling guilty, helpless or hopeless • Avoiding family and friends Children and emergencies It is hard to predict how children will respond to an emergency. They may feel the same common reactions as adults, which will dissipate over time. Depending on their age, they may become more cranky or clingy, or may regress to behaviours exhibited when they were younger, and which they had outgrown. Older children may have their concentration affected or start acting up. Parents and caregivers may want to speak to a professional if reactions continue, or it begins to affect relationships and schoolwork. Before an emergency, talk to your children so they know you are prepared to keep them safe. Review safety plans so they are more at ease. During an emergency stay calm and reassure them. Talk to them about what is happening in an age- appropriate manner. Once the danger has past, and in the days, weeks and months that follow, give them opportunities to talk about their experience and share any concerns.EMERGENCY GUIDE 202349 WHERE TO FIND HELP Cayman has some excellent mental health specialist organisations and individuals, including: Alex Panton Foundation H LQIR#DOH[SDQWRQIRXQGDWLRQN\ Z DOH[SDQWRQIRXQGDWLRQN\ Bethesda Counselling Centre W Z FD\PDQHWKHUDS\FRP Cayman Islands Health Services Authority Behavioural Health Outpatient Clinic W Z KVDN\ Employee Assistance Programme of the Cayman Islands W Z HDSFD\PDQFRPFRQWDFW The Counselling Centre W Z GFVJYN\ Mental Health Helpline (free FRQÀGHQWLDOVXSSRUW W Cayman Islands Kids Helpline W .,'6 ,QÀQLWH0LQGFDUH t: 926-0882 Z LQÀQLWHPLQGFDUHFRP OnCourse Cayman W Z RQFRXUVHFD\PDQFRP The Emergency Room at the Health Services Authority, and 911, are always an option for LPPHGLDWHKHOSEMERGENCY GUIDE 202350 W hether in the aftermath of a storm, or battling an outbreak of a YLUXVVXFKDV&29,' DQGÁXLQWKH FRPPXQLW\LW·VHVVHQWLDOWRNHHSWKLQJV clean and sanitary, When a hurricane approaches, or is passing by, utilities including water and power are often either switched off, or fail, meaning that sanitation is vital. Unclean surfaces or items can result in the spread of illness, from stomach upsets to serious ailments. Sicknesses can also be contracted by touching a surface where a virus is present. Follow these top tips for sanitation during a variety of emergency situations: Disinfectant Make sure to have disinfectant in the house or workplace to regularly clean HYHU\WKLQJIURPWKHEDWKURRPDQGÁRRUV to work-surfaces and door handles. Bleach is your friend during and after a hurricane. Once you have washed surfaces with soap and water to remove dirt and debris, sanitise them with diluted household bleach. This can be applied to everything from food surfaces to food cans and sinks, toys, ÁDWZDUHSODWHVDQGWRROV,WFDQDOVR be used to combat mould growth on hard surfaces. Have plenty of soap on hand as well as detergent, sanitising wipes and hand gel. The latter will keep the germs at bay without requiring water, which may be in short supply. Make sure you also stock up on paper towels, as laundering cloth towels FRXOGEHGLIÀFXOWIRUDZKLOHLQDGGLWLRQ to toilet paper and lots of strong garbage bags. Wear rubber gloves, boots and even goggles whenever possible during a clean-up of an affected area. The more you protect yourself, the more chance you have of escaping dangerous germs. Hand sanitiser $VWKHÀUVWOLQHRIGHIHQFHDJDLQVW germs, keep a bottle of hand sanitiser in your bag, on your desk and at home, and always apply from the dispenser ZKHQ\RXHQWHUDQRIÀFHRURWKHU commercial premises. Temporary toilets ,IZDWHULVOLPLWHGÁXVKLQJDWRLOHWLVD wasteful and possibly hazardous. For a temporary solution, you can line the dry toilet bowl with a garbage bag, and then use it to remove the waste from WKHKRXVH$ÀYHJDOORQEXFNHWOLQHG with a garbage bag also makes a good makeshift toilet. Water Do not ever use water you suspect may have been contaminated to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, make ice or prepare baby formula. Finding safe drinking water is paramount, particularly as your body requires constant hydration. ,I\RXGRQ·WKDYHVDIHERWWOHGZDWHU boiling is the surest method to make water safer to drink by killing disease- causing organisms, including viruses, bacteria and parasites. Bring water to a UROOLQJERLOIRUWKUHHWRÀYHPLQXWHV Use only bottled or disinfected water for drinking and cooking until the public water supplies have been declared safe E\&D\PDQ·VDXWKRULWLHV Boil-water orders are often issued after DKXUULFDQH7KDW VXVXDOO\EHFDXVHWKH public water utility has lost pressure in its water-moving systems, making it possible for contaminants to enter water lines. The danger with tainted public supplies is from bacteria that can cause severe diarrhoea, which can be life-threatening if untreated. Water saved in bottles before the storm should be good for up to six months, if stored properly. Always wash hands with soap and clean water that has been sterilised. If there is no water, use hand sanitiser ZLWKDWOHDVWDOFRKRO Keep it clean Pay extra attention to sanitation during an emergency.SUPPLIES: Van Camp’s Pork & Beans AVAILABLE AT SUPERMARKETS ACROSS THE CAYMAN ISLANDS. pdl.com.ky This 1,500-square-foot modern loft-style VSDFHȴOOHGZLWKOXVKWURSLFDOSODQWVDQG natural light, provides the perfect location for all your future events. A boutique event space BOOKING AND INQUIRIES eventspace@compassmedia.ky | 936-4918 or 325-6821 Compass Centre: 319 Shedden Road, GT, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands KY1-1108 compassmedia.ky EMERGENCY GUIDE 202351EMERGENCY GUIDE 202352 T he Royal Cayman Islands Police Service plays an important role during emergencies of all kinds. :KHWKHULW·VDKXUULFDQHHDUWKTXDNH or other disaster, the RCIPS is on hand to help keep everyone safe. ,WLVWKHUROHRIRIÀFHUVWRNHHSRUGHU in the community, give assistance to those who need it, and ensure that emergency services and other necessary working crews can provide aid and restore utilities. As a hurricane approaches, providing shelter security and keeping the public calm are just a couple of examples of their wide variety of duties. Assisting the injured or rescuing SHRSOHLQGLIÀFXOWVLWXDWLRQVDOVRIDOOV under their purview. The police must VRPHWLPHVHQIRUFHRIÀFLDOFXUIHZV to keep residents safe, allow the unrestricted movement of frontline vehicles, and reduce the chance of opportunistic crimes, such as looting. Protecting critical infrastructure is key to a quick recovery, which includes such vital services as electricity, fuel, water and communications. Therefore, high-visibility policing deployment occurs post-storm. +RZFDQΖKHOS" When it comes to an emergency, the community needs to band together and support its members. Being prepared, following the law, and knowing when to call the RCIPS is WRHYHU\RQH·VEHQHÀW · Be prepared. Have hurricane supplies ready in the event of a storm threat, and if your property LVYXOQHUDEOHWRÁRRGLQJPRYHWRD public shelter. Emergency personnel cannot come out in the middle of a storm, so do all you can to protect yourself and your family ahead of time. 6KRXOG\RXQHHGWRFDOO \RXUFDOO will be noted for action when it is safe. Ã6KDUHXSGDWHV,I\RXFDOO for assistance, and then change locations, call again to keep them updated. Minutes can make all the difference in an emergency, and personnel should not be spending precious time trying to locate you while others are possibly waiting for assistance. · Abide by the law. If a directive such as a stay-at-home curfew is issued, follow the rules. Roads may be blocked or there may be dangerous debris and live electrical wires lying about. These laws are set to keep the public safe and to allow emergency services to get to those who need them as quickly as possible. :KDWLVDVWDWHRIHPHUJHQF\" In the face of an impending strike by a major hurricane, other action likely to endanger public safety or in the immediate aftermath of another type of disaster, the Governor of the Cayman Islands may, as a precaution, LVVXHD¶3URFODPDWLRQRI(PHUJHQF\· This allows the governor to expedite actions in the interests of public safety and security, including the acquisition or distribution of goods. The provisions of the proclamation may be applied to facilitating any other purpose deemed essential to good governance. +RZZLOOΖNQRZWKHUXOHV" Listen to the radio stations, follow ORFDOPHGLDUHSRUWVDQGORRNDWRIÀFLDO websites for up-to-date information. ,I\RX·UHVWLOOQRWVXUHFDOOQXPEHUV VSHFLÀFDOO\DVVLJQHGWRSURYLGHGHWDLOV to the public. The police are here to helpSUPPLIES: Libby’sCorned %üI Libby’s 9LHÿD6DXVDJH AVAILABLE AT SUPERMARKETS ACROSS THE CAYMAN ISLANDS. pdl.com.ky BEFORE,DURINGANDAFTERTHESTORM OURTEAMISREADY. 3 0F/3[ *< * ¯ĉŒĉŚĬŠŋŷêÞŒĉŚêÿĬŋąŠŋŋĉßÃĥê ňŋêňÃŋêåĥꌌŚĉňŒ ŷŷŷǢŷÃŚêŋÊŚąĬŋĉŚŽǢěŽ WaterAuthority-Cayman EMERGENCY GUIDE 202353 The stylish space you’ve been waiting for 4,200 - square foot creative event space perfect for any event eventspace@compassmedia.ky | 936-4918 or 325-6821 Compass Centre: 319 Shedden Road, GT, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands KY1-1108 YOUR CREATIVITY compassmedia.kyEMERGENCY GUIDE 202354 A dequately preparing for an emergency, and responding quickly and appropriately when disaster strikes, can help reduce and avoid dire outcomes. Several organisations on-island offer classes and training programmes helping people gain the skills necessary to prepare for and respond to disasters and medical emergencies. HAZARD MANAGEMENT Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) offers a broad range of training presentations for the public, covering all hazards from which the Cayman Islands is at risk. These presentations are adaptable to businesses, government agencies and schools from primary through to university. • All hazards and preparedness presentation • Earthquake and tsunami presentation • Hurricane preparedness HMCI also offers training for Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) which assist in preparing and protecting communities in the case of disaster events. Volunteers DUHXVKHUHGWKURXJKDKRXUFRXUVH WKDWWHDFKHVWKHPVNLOOVLQÀUHVDIHW\ GDPDJHDVVHVVPHQWÀUVWDLGDQG basic search and rescue. It also offers business continuity planning overviews RISULQFLSOHVDQGEHQHÀWVDVZHOODV guidance for continuity of operations plans, which every government department and agency is required to ÀOHDQGKHOSHQVXUHTXLFNUHVWRUDWLRQRI operations following a hazardous event. HEALTH SERVICES AUTHORITY The Health Services Authority offers several clinical and continuing medical education training for staff and healthcare clinicians in Cayman such as advanced cardiac life support and paediatric advanced life support. It also offers health-related training for the public: • Basic life support • Heartsaver AED (CPR) • First aid • Parent Craft training • Neonatal classes • Smoking cessation • Nutrition counselling • Diabetic counselling • Genetic counselling RED CROSS The Cayman Islands Red Cross is heavily involved in education and awareness to create a better-prepared community and build strong community resilience. Its main training programmes are: • First aid, CPR and AED training • Lifeguard training • Basic water rescue • Additional training is available on request, and there is also regular training for disaster preparedness. (PDLOÀUVWDLG#UHGFURVVRUJN\IRU more information. ST. MATTHEW’S UNIVERSITY AND CAYMAN HEART FUND 6W0DWWKHZ·V8QLYHUVLW\LVDPHGLFDO school focused on providing quality and affordable medical courses. 6LQFHWKHGRFWRUVRI6W 0DWWKHZ·V8QLYHUVLW\0HGLFDO6FKRRO have volunteered their time and expertise teaching life-saving CPR/AED skills to the Cayman Islands community. Every year they donate a proportion of the proceeds of training to Cayman Heart Fund to support its work in raising awareness and addressing cardiac issues in the Cayman Islands. 6W0DWWKHZ·V8QLYHUVLW\RIIHUVWKH American Heart Association accredited BLS/CPR for medical and non-medical people, covering CPR and AED skills, ZLWKRUZLWKRXWÀUVWDLG&RXUVHVRIIHU DWZR\HDUFHUWLÀFDWLRQDQGWDNHSODFH Emergency trainingEMERGENCY GUIDE 202355 DW6W0DWWKHZ·V0HGLFDO6FKRROLQWKH Clinical Skills Lab. Email Dr. Sukumar T. K. at sukumartk@stmatthews.edu or Cayman Heart Fund at info@caymanheartfund.com for more information. FITNESS CONNECTION Fitness Connection offers a variety of FHUWLÀFDWLRQVDQGVSHFLDOW\FRXUVHV throughout the year. These include: • The American Safety and Health Institute CPR and AED course 7KH6WDUÀVK$TXDWLF,QVWLWXWH6DIHW\ Training Aquatic Rescue Course 7KH6WDUJXDUG/LIHJXDUG&HUWLÀFDWLRQ The minimum recommended age for DQ\RIWKHVHFRXUVHVLV(PDLO ÀWQHVV#ÀWQHVVN\IRUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQ CAYSAFETY CAYSAFETY offers a broad range of health and safety training and consultation services that can be tailored to meet individual and organisational needs. 7KHFRPSDQ\RIIHUVÀUVWDLGDQG&35 FRXUVHVÀUHVDIHW\WUDLQLQJEORRGDQG respiratory-borne pathogen training, and disaster preparedness training. It also provides safety auditing, safety compliance and ergonomic assessments. Email caysafety@gmail.com for more information. CLEVER FISH Clever Fish offers evening classes LQÀUVWDLGZKLFKFHUWLI\SDUWLFLSDQWV for two years. Its courses include theory and practical elements including AED, EpiPens and practise on adult and child mannequins. Email QLF#FOHYHUÀVKFD\PDQFRPIRU more information. CPR AND RESPIRATORY CAYMAN Melissa Shaw runs CPR and Respiratory Cayman which offers &35$('WUDLQLQJ6KHVSHQW years as a respiratory therapist and on the cardiac team at the HSA. Email melissashawky@gmail.com for information on her training options. LARGE SCALE EMERGENCY TRAINING Public organisations on island also run large scale emergency exercises in order to advance preparedness efforts. Two such exercises are the Caribe Wave tsunami exercise, and the CIAA Emergency Exercise. CARIBE WAVE This is the annual tsunami exercise of the Intergovernmental Oceonographic Commission of the United Nations (GXFDWLRQDO6FLHQWLÀFDQG&XOWXUDO Organisation (UNESCO). The exercise is undertaken in order to advance tsunami preparedness efforts in the Caribbean and adjacent regions, and utilises a hypothetical tsunami situation. Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) participates in the exercise as well as numerous schools, reviewing their tsunami response plans, and HMCI conducts a National Emergency 1RWLÀFDWLRQ6\VWHP 1(16 7HVWIRUDSS XVHUV VHHSDJH For additional details, contact HMCI at KPFL#JRYN\RU CIAA emergency exercise To comply with international standards, the CIAA stages a full-scale emergency exercise at both the Owen Roberts International Airport and the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport every two years in order to test the ability of airport staff and emergency response agencies to work together to form an organised response to save lives and limit damage to property. C.I. Regiment Ambulance during CIAA exercise.Medical evaluations during CIAA exercise.EMERGENCY GUIDE 202356 Always be prepared for emergencies by having a well-stocked first aid kit at home or in the workplace. It can prove essential, or even life- saving, when somebody is hurt or becomes ill. The Cayman Islands Red Cross recommends the first aid kit contains the following items First aid kit Keep it up-to-date <RXFDQEX\DÀUVWDLGNLWRUSXWRQH together yourself. Check it regularly to ensure: All items are included Medication and other items are not out of date Emergency numbers are current First aid kit box1 Multi-trauma dressing 12x30 1 Dynarex 1/2-inch cloth tape roll 1 Dynarex 1-inch cloth tape roll 1 6WHULOH[ SO\ SDFNDJHVLQV8 7ULDQJXODUEDQGDJH[[ 2 Sterile 5x9 gauze pads5 1x3 plastic adhesive bandage 100 per box 1 Small trauma scissor 1 pair Latex-free gloves 1 pair Ammonia inhalants 10 per box 1 Sooth-a-Sting swabs 10 per box 1 ,UULJDWLQJH\HVROXWLRQR]1 Instant junior ice pack 2 CPR shield barrier 1 Providone iodine prep pads 10010 Ace bandage 3-inch1INTHE EVENT OF AN EVACUATION THE 2023 HURRICANE GUIDE BE PREPARED THIS HURRICANE SEASON DRINKING WATER NON-PERISHABLE FOOD FLASHLIGHTS & BATTERIES PET CARE PERSONAL TOILETRY ITEMS FIRST AID ITEMS/ MEDICATION Inthe event of an evacuation, stay informed using official communication channels, including Cayman Islands Government social media channels, Radio Cayman & www.caymanprepared.ky Scan to view the full 2023 hurricane emergency checklist or visit fosters.ky/hurricane-season @FOSTERSCAYMAN PROTECT IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS Next >