A look at the ideal emergency bags

 

If history has taught anything, it's that disasters can happen at any time and when you least expect them. People have to do what they can to prepare themselves for the worst. This is why disaster survival kits or bags need to become a must-have for every household.

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According to public safety expert Martin Lloyd Sanders, the contents of emergency bags should have everything a person or a small group would need to survive for a few days.

Below is a shortlist of the essentials.

1. First aid kit

There is perhaps nothing more essential to an emergency bag than a first aid kit. From cleaning and patching up small wounds to preventing infection to providing the basic medication, first aid kits are nothing but indispensable to a person's survival.

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2. Water (at least a few liters) and water bottles

Many survival experts say that the rule of thumb of putting together an emergency bag is having at least a liter of water a day. Also, it's best to use reusable water bottles instead of plastic mineral water bottles since the plastic could contaminate the water if left sitting for a long time.

3. Bleach

Bleach is a surprising addition to an emergency bag mainly because it can be used to help disinfect water from sources like tap or rivers or lakes, Martin Lloyd Sanders adds.

Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, is an expert in biological safety and security. He has used his skills in his involvement in resolving biosafety and biosecurity issues both in the U.S. and abroad. Read more about his expertise on this page.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin L. Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States Government.

Classes of biosafety cabinets

 

There are three classes or categories of biosafety cabinets that everyone should know. Each type is described in this article - how each one will work and what suitable environment are they used. Martin Lloyd Sanders has compiled them below to provide information to those whose line of work involves the use of these specialized ventilating equipment.

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Class 1

It is a ventilated cabinet for the protection of personnel and their working environment. They have limited application, however. Nevertheless, a Class 1 biosafety cabinet uses a HEPA filter at the exhaust outlet and uses unreciculated airflow away from the operator. These types of cabinets are suitable for agents requiring Biosafety Level 1, 2, or 3 containment.

Class 2

Class 2 cabinets offer personnel, environment, and product protection, often used in microbiological work or sterile pharmacy compounding. These cabinets are designed with an open front with three adjustments for each category: inward airflow for personnel protection, downward HEPA-filtered laminar airflow for product protection, and HEPA-filtered exhaust air for environmental protection.

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Class 3

These are highly specialized biosafety cabinets also called "glove boxes." It protects similarly with a Class 2 cabinet but is designed for working with Biosafety Level 4 highly infectious agents. This type of cabinet provides the highest level of protection for personnel, product, and the environment. These cabinets are totally enclosed, have leak-tight construction, and attached rubber gloves to enable personnel to work on something inside the cabinet.

Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., has more than 10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, which even includes biological safety, biosecurity, infectious disease epidemiology, environmental health services, among others. He also received his certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. For more posts like this, visit this blog.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Government.

Some noteworthy facts about biosafety that you should know

 

Martin Lloyd Sanders has expertise in health and safety practices because he has immersed himself in the industry's various aspects that he has practiced in for the longest time. He is well-versed in biosafety and today shares some noteworthy facts on this subject.

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1. Biosafety is understood as preventing large-scale loss of biological integrity, which places a special focus on ecology and human health. Functionally, biosafety is heavily relied upon to protect from harmful incidents. For instance, laboratories handling biohazards employ an ongoing risk management assessment and enforcement process for biosafety, notes Martin Lloyd Sanders. Failure in this could lead to catastrophic consequences.

2. Nowadays, with the looming shadow of the pandemic, it's easy to associate biosafety with viral outbreaks. While this is true, this is by no means an exclusive affair that pertains to human health alone. Biosafety is also a concern in the agricultural industry, and it does not affect only animals but also plants. For instance, when a plant disease has been detected out of genetically modified plants, containment measures are employed to isolate it from the natural environment.

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3. There is no one fixed set of parameters that defines biosafety. Most industry scholars believe in the importance of continuous research to proceed and uncover problems and solutions. The science in biosafety is well-used in military and national defense, especially where biological warfare is concerned. It is also a key factor in Mars exploration, as all scientists agree that no biological contaminants from our planet should reach Mars and vice versa.

Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, is a public health professional and was the Director for Safety, Environmental Compliance and Emergency Management in Federal Occupational Health (FOH/PSC). He also served as Chief Scientist for USPHS from 2013 to 2017. Visit this page for similar reads.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin L. Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.

Beyond COVID-19: A look at other airborne diseases

 

Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders has devoted his life to helping keep people safe and healthy. He has continued to work through the current global health crisis, to do what he can. One of the things he consistently accomplishes is releasing monthly blogs to inform and educate the people on the many important points of health and safety.

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Martin Lloyd Sanders notes that with the world’s attention on COVID-19, it’s easy to forget that there are countless other diseases out there. For today’s blog, he shares a quick review of some of the important facts on airborne diseases.

Method of spreading

As the name suggests, airborne diseases are spread through the air, when people cough, sneeze, or accidentally spew or spray nasal or throat secretions into the air. Bacteria and viruses from the sick person linger in the air, which may possibly land on other people in the vicinity.

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Some common variants

There are a number of variants of airborne diseases, with the most common being the common cold. It can be caused by a number of viruses, such as the rhinovirus. Influenza is another common airborne disease. The flu, as it is also called, is extremely contagious with the virus staying active for five to seven days.

Prevention

Martin Lloyd Sanders reminds everyone that, as easy as it is to catch airborne diseases, prevention is just as simple. From wearing a face mask to covering one’s mouth when coughing, to simply being conscious and considerate, the spread on and infection from airborne diseases can be prevented.

CaptainMartin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., obtained his degree in zoology at the University of California and his doctorate from the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health. Visit this page for similar reads.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Government.

Practical steps to ensure a safe and virus-free workplace

 

Health and safety in the workplace continue to be the priority even with the mass rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. With new strains of the virus emerging, it's important to continue practicing the health protocols to minimize infections. Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, shares these practical steps to keep one's workplace virus-free.

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Regular testing

This is especially important for those working outside of the office, such as construction sites, warehouses, and other venues. Getting tested for the virus will not only ensure the safety of one person but also the people they work and live with. While contact tracing efforts are getting better, it might still be difficult to identify where a person might have contracted the virus. Testing is also important for individuals who are living in places where there are high transmission rates.

Modify work hours

Public health experts like Martin Lloyd Sanders say that one of the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus is to lessen close contact with other people. In the workplace, this can be done by making sure that only a few people are in one area. Aside from installing barriers, implementing the wearing of masks, and practicing physical distancing, it might also help to allow employees to work different hours than usual. Companies can do this by shortening on-site hours or by allowing employees to take on different shifts to prevent everyone from coming to the office at the same time.

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Change the work area

The pandemic has exposed what needs to be changed in the structure of many offices. Closed spaces need to have better ventilation by installing air filters and purifiers. The windows must also be regularly opened to allow the air to circulate. As much as possible, sharing items and working too closely must also be prevented. Even in the seating arrangement, physical distancing must be practiced. There must be designated hand sanitation areas, especially in common spaces, to encourage hand hygiene.

Capt. Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., has over a decade of service in the occupational health and safety sector. He is also a multi-awarded scientist and US Army veteran. For more on health and safety, visit this blog.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Government.

On volunteerism and ways to help in times of crisis

 

While Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders is first and foremost an expert on safety and health, he believes that lending a hand and volunteering are integral parts of a community's overall betterment. He points out that countless nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and private corporations have, throughout the years, took it upon themselves to make a difference in the world. 

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For today's blog, Martin Lloyd Sanders looks at volunteerism, which he considers a privilege for those willing to give their time, and the many ways people can help out in times of crisis. To put things in context, he mentions the global organization Red Cross as his blueprint for today's blog discussion– since the Red Cross to this day remains the gold standard in providing relief and vital services to people who need them.

The first step in volunteering to help in times of crisis is to receive training. And Martin Lloyd Sanders notes that this is not some training that can be done online. There should be a practical aspect of it wherein volunteers go through simulations. There are workshops and seminars given by organizations everywhere on subjects such as bleeding control, basic life support, and risk assessment. 

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Second, volunteers need to realize that to serve in times of crisis can involve a broad range of activities, from search-and-rescue and life-saving operations to assisting children and the elderly evacuate areas and making them comfortable.

Finally, Martin Lloyd Sanders mentions that when a person has had proper training and a good idea of the things they have to do, they have to have the proper equipment. The proper equipment ranges from first-aid kits to flashlights, flares, tactical gear (outfits), a Swiss army knife, and food and clothing, among other things.

Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., has more than a decade of service in the occupational safety and health sector. He possesses extensive experience in biological defense activities and infectious disease outbreak investigation. Learn more about him and his expertise by checking out this page.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Government.

The four levels of biocontainment: A review

 

For obvious reasons, Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders believes that now is as prudent a time as any for a quick review of the four biocontainment levels. These Biological Safety Levels (BSL) are a series of protection protocols to safeguard laboratory personnel and the surrounding environment and community. These levels were set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and based on what is being contained. 

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BSL-1

The most basic of the levels, BSL-1, is implemented with low-risk microbes that pose little-t0-no threat to humans, microbes like the non-pathogenic E. coli strain. No isolation is required, just the immediate decontamination, hand-washing, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

BSL-2

BSL-2 is for moderate health hazards such as staph infections and HIV. It involves everything required in BSL-1, as well as additional protocols and methods for decontamination.

BSL-3

When working on indigenous or exotic microbes, BSL-3 is usually effective. These microbes, which can potentially be dangerous when inhaled, require more safety protocols such as solid-front wrap-around gowns and scrub suits and a self-closing set of locking doors accessible away from general corridors. Yellow fever and the West Nile virus are examples of microbes under BSL-3, notes Martin Lloyd Sanders.

BSL-4

Reserved for the deadliest microbes that are on the same level as Ebola, BSL-4 uses protocols from BSL-3 and adds the decontamination of virtually everything before leaving the area. It also requires a Class III biological safety cabinet and more of the highest-level safety and security materials and equipment.

As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., received the prestigious Derek Dunn Memorial Scientist Officer of the Year award in April 2007 and three outstanding service medals and commendation medals as part of the USPHS Commissioned Corps. For more reads on public health, visit this website.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.