Ticks
Start your tick control program now because it appears they’ve crashed our party. Beware and check your partner. No joke – they’re Nasty. If you haven’t been lucky enough to encounter them before, here’s what they look like:
Here is how to remove a tick: Avoid folklore remedies such as “painting” the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. Your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible–not waiting for it to detach.
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, get some help.
Resources:
http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html
http://videos.huffingtonpost.com/travel/How-to-Remove-a-Tick-517290676
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:
There will be several propane heaters about at Apo and a high risk of CO poisoning. When there’s too much carbon monoxide in the air, your body replaces the oxygen in the hemoglobin of your red blood cells with carbon monoxide. This keeps life-sustaining oxygen from reaching your tissues and organs. Normally the amount of carbon monoxide produced by propane heaters isn’t cause for concern. But if appliances aren’t kept in good working order or if they’re used in a closed or partially closed space — such as a dome, then carbon monoxide can build to dangerous levels.
Signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include:
- Dull headache
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness
- Rose cheeks
- Respiratory Arrest
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be especially dangerous for people who are sleeping or intoxicated. The fumes may be fatal before anyone realizes there’s a problem.
If you suspect someone is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning: Get that person into fresh air and call BAMF for Medical Assistance.
Asthma and Allergies
During work weekend we had several reported Asthma exacerbations / attacks, which required participants to leave early. The environment is dry and dusty. Cows have recently been on the property and left gifts, including dander. Pine pollen is dense.
The people who reported having difficulty included those with known asthma and those with exercise and allergen induced asthma. So please bring what helps you.
- Prescription Medications
- Allergy Medications
- Coffee and other warm beverages
- Masks or handkerchiefs
- Nasal Wash
Remember that Apogaea is in the MOUNTAINS. The weather is variable and it gets cold at night. Pack appropriate clothing, bedding and shelter for Bailey Colorado.
Environmental Conditions
I love our Colorado mornings, cool and calm. By 9:00am the sun was out in force and pretty hot. Bring your sunscreen, because you’ll need it.
Eew! There was cow shit everywhere, and the dust!?! You would think we were at Burning Man, if there were cows on the playa. But there are no cows on the playa. Why would there be cows on the playa. Any ways, there was dust, cow dander and pine tree pollen everywhere.
The terrain was full of small tree stumps, rocks and random shallow holes. Flip Flops were not appropriate. I actually gained a pretty good gash in my heavy leather work boots.
The clouds rolled in everyday, dark and full of lightening. “Maybe we will get rain?” But during Work Weekend… no. The clouds just teased us, looking down and spitting. “Wimpy clouds!” We had been told by the locals that this has been the trend for the last couple of weeks.
As evening unfolded, the weather cooled and all of the volunteers and art camp were able to sit back and admire all the hard work that went into building this little city in the woods. It felt like home once more. Since it was too dry for burn barrels, we huddled in our thick furs and eared hats and drank under the amazing Center Camp tent or the kick ass propane heater next to BAMF.
It was pretty cold at night. There were a few folks who, even being Coloradans, were under-prepared for the weather, despite their best efforts. We will undoubtedly have a number of friends visiting from such warm climes as Texas, Arizona, California and Florida. I bet that, despite their best efforts, they will also be woefully unprepared for cold Apogaea nights. Caroline has offered to set up an area at BAMF for us, as a community, to lend out furs, sleeping bags, and blankets for these visitors. Bring LOTS of warm stuff and bring EXTRA to lend out–label it well–and drop it off at BAMF (right behind Center Camp).
Weather Conditions at Fhloston Peak:
- Elevation of 8377 ft
- Average temperatures range from 80º F – 40º F IN THE SAME DAY
- Humidity: 29%
- Sunrise: 5:36am
- Sunset: 8:26pm
- Winds WSW between 14 and 17 mph, with gust as high as 29 mph
RADICAL Self-Reliance )'(
Apogaea encourages individuals to exercise Radical Self-Reliance. Being self-reliant is fairly easy for most people, but it does take extra effort.
- Bring all that you would need to live at Apogaea for 4-5 days.
- Water, food, shelter, first aid, warmth, transportation, extra toilet paper, and your own trash bags. – LEAVE NO TRACE EVENT!
- Know your limitations and know when to ask your friends (COMMUNITY!) for assistance. “Just yell out what you need and go from there.”
- We all need a helping hand at times but a self-reliant person does what is possible to be self sustaining )'(
Fire Ban
Finally, remember that we are under a burn ban. No open fires or burn barrels are allowed. You will find the latest fire status on our website up until the event starts. At Apogaea, the fire ban status will be posted outside the BAMF tent (right behind Center Camp). Fire performers, please check with fire convergence before lighting up.
Cynthia Van Lingen aka The Original Cyn
BAMF Medical Lead
[email protected]