Episode-565- Lessons from the Haitian Earthquake
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (18.7MB)
Today we are joined by Brandon Shelton who has been on the ground as an independent relief worker several times since the Haitian earthquake joins us today to talk about what true devastation is really all about.
Join us today to learn,
- What is it really like when everything is destroyed
- While some turn to thieves others remain honorable
- What is it like to be an “armed missionary”
- Why people with BOLs aren’t crazy after all
- Stories of corruption beyond your imagination
- What the Red Cross didn’t do with 2 Billion dollars of our money
- Building your own emergency kits from a guy who has seen the worst
- The value of medical training such as first responder and EMT for the civilian
- How saving lives is something anyone can do if they make the effort
- Stories of sacrifice, survival and loss you won’t believe
Resources for Today’s Show
- Members Support Brigade
- TSP Gear Shop
- Join Our Forum
- Ready Made Resources – (sponsor of the day)
- Silver and Gold Shop – (sponsor of the day)
- Bella Medical Ministries – (Brandon’s Charity for Haiti please consider making a small donation)
- Flickr Slide Show of Brandon’s Trips to Haiti
- Members Support Brigade
- Ron Hood’s Survival.com Magazine
Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.
Sir,
I listened to your paramedic/interview about Haiti – and heard you mention donating to your guest – but you never said how to do it! What web site should I use to send him some money?
Thanks,
Joe
@Joe the charity is Bella Medical Ministries and it is listed directly above your comment in the show notes, thanks for helping out. The site is is located at http://bellaministries.com/
Jack, a couple of suggestions.
-I notice some posts such as today, do not indicate the length of the show. This is useful in determining if I have time to play the show in full or not.
-I have been listening for about three months and only today found your little Feedburner button allowing me to subscribe to your show like a podcast. I would suggest that the non-itunes subscribe button be at least as big as your other icons above it; and probably both of these need to be much more prominent on the page.
Jack,
Just a caution about donating publicly or mentioning amounts of money sent to Haiti online. There have been cases of people or organizations donating money to groups in Haiti and mentioning online the amount of money donated and names donated to. Corrupt individuals or groups in Haiti then locate the receipients in Haiti and extort the money from the rightful owners, sometimes resulting in death of that person. Continue to donate and help but withold amounts, identification of objects sent and names. It would be nice to say group y gave x amount of dollars to help Haiti but it has resulted in death in this corrupt setting.
The guest mentioned having firearms. How did they get them in and of the US and in and out of Haiti
Just wanted to clarify the security aspect of our trips to Haiti that we provide for ourselves, our teams and the places we stay. Firearms are illegal in Haiti without a being a licensed security agent (similar to a G lic. or a PI here in the states) as a Haitian citizen. Organizations can receive a license from the Haitian government by going through the consulat (like the one in Miami) or through the Haitian embassy. We do hold a valid firearms license from the Haitian government. As far as traveling into and out of the US with firearms it is as simple as following established laws and guidelines set by customs an the BATFE. DO NOT attempt to travel to Haiti with a firearm or carry one while in country without the proper lic and paperwork! There has been recent cases were security escorts for relief groups have been arrested and eventually deported for being armed without a lic. Directly after the quake there was a period were it seemed the entire city of PAP was armed. That time has passed and I am sure that those who had unlicensed weapons simply put them away somewhere. I did not want anyone to be under the impression that we (BELLA Medical Ministries) conducted or condoned the act of illegal weapons possession or trafficking. We have gone through the process of obtaining the necessary personnel and documentation to stay on the right side of the law both at home and while in country. Just wanted to clear that up. Thanks to all who have posted. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about the ministry and/or opportunities to serve in Haiti. Our email is info@bellaministries.com.
God Bless,
Brandon Shelton
Brandon mentioned a book that every prepper should have in our library, but the first word of the title is unclear due to the audio quality of his phone connection. It was “something Doctor”… could you tell us that title please?
@Raldog, “Where There Is No Doctor”, part of my recommended book list.
http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/book-list
Listening to the discussion on dehydration it made me think a good addition to a kit would be some of the powdered sport drink mixes. Low weight and little space taken up for something that can save a life and if nothing else its an easy calorie adjunct. Well worth it.
Also, regarding training, I highly recommend checking to see if there is a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program in your area. This is a government sponsored program put together a few years back when the government recognized that the true first responders in a major even are going to be the people in the neigborhoods.
CERT trains on all kinds of useful things for the modern survivalist including, but not limited to the following.
-Basic First Aid
-Light Search and Rescue
-Triage
-Basic understanding of emergency response organization
In most or all areas this training is free. In most areas the training is provided by the fire departments or police and runs 20-24 hours. I highly recommend this training to everyone.
FOr more info visit: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/
This interview was inspiring! I enjoy all of the TSP interviews, but this one really hit home the need for preparedness and community building. The work that Bella ministries is doing is absolutely amazing.
An OTC medicine I was given after some severe vertigo (that completely got rid of my nausea) was Meclizine HCL 25 mg. Worked wonders. Taking a First Responder course is an excellent idea. Thanks Jack and Brandon.
Great interview. If you are interested in learning more about treating diarrhea and dehydration, I have posted some training videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zxn_WrnyKg (diarrhea)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGcLG28InEA (oral rehydration)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaoJpZB31XQ (potable water)
I loved this interview. Good work, Jack.
FYI, my son studied “Ditch Medicine, Advanced Field Procedures for Emergencies,” before he was deployed to Iraq with his Reserve Unit in 2007-08. PDF downloads and videos of this book are available on-line and would be worthwhile self-education, especially for someone with some EMT training. Here are a couple of links for more:
http://www.general-search.com/fileinfo/3954245
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2205119/Ditch-Medicine-Advanced-Field-Procedures-For-Emergencies-1993
Additionally, I am signed up with my local Red Cross for a free 3-hour training workshop, Disaster Services: An Overview” for anyone who wants to respond to national disasters as a Red Cross Volunteer. This is a good way to educate yourself, regardless of whether or not you plan to work through the Red Cross.
American Red Cross – never been impressed with them. The local branches are useful for things like CPR training. But I consider the ARC National to be a big rip off.
I remember after 9-11, there was similar controversy. They received millions. And instead sought to pay off their new computer system.
Meanwhile, The Salvation Army, which also has administrative overhead. Took those funds and began paying the bills of the families that lost people in the Towers.
For all those millions of dollars. The Rec Cross could have bought hundreds of surplus shipping containers. Stuck a solar panel and an air conditioner on top. And maybe installed a window. Rented a freighter, and brought them to Haiti.
While we’d consider that to be crappy housing. It would likely be seen as a godsend to those in Haiti.
That was one of the best interviews I’ve heard yet. As an old medic, currently an RN, I have found the need to rework my medical preps. I’m too front loaded for trauma. Brandon, you gave me a lot to consider and rethink my approach. Thank you and Jack for giving this experience to us.
Show content was a 10, but audio quality was a 5. I couldn’t even hear what your guest was saying all the time, and it sounded like you were rearranging your office during most of the interview. What happened?
I’ve been listening for about 200 shows, and this was by far my favorite show. It’s just good to know there are still people in the world who will do such amazing and charitable work for strangers in need. Many kudos Brandon.
One of my favorite shows Jack. The descriptions of Haiti were chilling brotha.
Man, what an interview! I felt like I was on the ground with Brandon. I’m definitely going to send some money to his cause.
Jack and Brandon, this show was awesome!! it has inspired me to seek additional “civilian” basic EMT training at a local college. I have prior military “Combat medic” training that taught me a lot and I got to put into practice in the first gulf war in the field and see some crazy stuff but nothing as graphic as what Brandon is describing. This is just what a lot of people need to hear. As a REQUEST, would it be possible for you to put your recommendations on paper for an all around medic bag and its contents? some of the things you mentioned I am sure a lot of us don’t have in our kits and I am sure there were things in your kit that maybe you did not use but that might apply.
This is the kind of kit I want to put together. short term and long term. I have already started putting a list together but any help in this would help the prepper community IMO.
My YOYO (you’re on your own) medical bag contents can be found at:
http://www.scribd.com/full/45566858?access_key=key-2ofakie6my9s5senm9q4