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.