Archive for July, 2007

What happens to your body in a car crash

THE NECK

At 40mph the sudden whipping movement of the head could cause serious injuries in. the neck. Shortly after impact (about 150 milliseconds), the spine undergoes what is called an S-shaped curve in this position, rather than simply being curved to the front in a normal C-shape as it would be at rest. It takes on an altered form.
When this ‘whiplash’ occurs, the lower part of the spine moves well beyond its normal range of motion, causing injury to the ligaments and discs (the fluid-filled sacks between your spinal bones) in that area.

car crash


THE CHEST CAVITY

Much in the same way that the brain is damaged by impacting with the skull, the other internal organs can suffer a similar fate. Internal injuries from a car accident can include damage to bowels, kidneys, spleen, liver, lungs and the heart.
Fractured ribs are quite common at low speeds, and these may also puncture lungs and other internal organs. Torn spleens are also a frequent injury and may require extensive hospitalisation.

THE SPINE

If you are involved in a car accident at a speed greater than 45mph it can be assumed that you have a spinal injury. Below that speed you shouldn’t create forces large enough to cause paralysis.
The force at which your body is jolted backwards and forwards and side-to-side often damages discs, causing them to perforate. In more serious accidents the actual bones can be forced together with such ferocity that they can fracture, damaging the spinal cord, which will result in paralysis.

THE PELVIS AND HIPS
In a 40mph car accident, the pelvis is often thrown forward into the steering column, dashboard or other hard structure. This impact can fracture or smash the pelvis, often opening up the hip joint – an injury which as well as being very painful is extremely difficult to fix. A smashed pelvis can also damage or rupture other organs, such as the spleen and bowels.

THE HEAD
Head injuries are the cause of 50 per cent of all automotive-related fatalities. Injury is caused by the sudden forward movement of the head and impact with the inside of the car.
This ‘headbutting’ effect can cause the brain to smash into the skull, which damages tiny blood vessels inside. These burst open, causing blood to flood the brain, eventually causing coma and death. Brain injury could be severe at 40mph.

THE KNEES
The forward movement into the dash often causes damage to the kneecap and surrounding tendons. Even at low speeds these impacts can cause damage so severe it affects your ability to walk for life.

THE ANKLES
Because of their relatively weak nature, ankles can easily break and are often shattered in car accidents as the foot is forced against the pedals and dash. Twisting is the main cause, as the foot is forced into an unnatural shape, causing snapping of bones and ligaments.




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Crash course; Why people crash?

1. POOR ANTICIPATION
An absolutely huge one, this. Most drivers just don’t spend enough time analysing what’s going on around them and working out what other cars might have to react to. Which can be fatal. Here are some pointers…

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ROAD RAGE ADVICE

Try to stay calm. This may be difficult, but reacting will make things worse. It’s important

Don’t leave your vehicle. Stay inside and keep your doors locked and windows up as much as possible.

Make a note of the registration number, model, colour and shape of the other vehicle.     A positive description will help in bringing the attacker to justice.

• Try to talk to witnesses. If possible, get the name and contact numbers of any witnesses if an attack takes place.

Get away as soon as it is safe. Without speeding or driving recklessly, try to escape the situation.

Report the incident to the police. Do this as soon as you reach a safe place.

Never under any circumstances attempt to physically confront your assailant. They may well be armed.

Atrial Fibrillation

When atrial fibrillation occurs, the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) begin beating rapidly and irregularly, reaching rates of 600 per minute. Fortunately, the main pumping chambers (the ventricles) are protected by a slowing of the signal from the atria so that every fourth or fifth beat reaches the ventricles. The resulting pulse rate is then a fraction of the atrial rate and will be in the range of 120 to 150 beats per minute. When the heart develops this rhythm, the individual will feel an irregular heartbeat and, in most cases, the heart rate is rapid. Some people experience a drop in blood pressure and feel light-headed, fatigued or short of breath. Some patients with coronary disease will develop chest pains. In any case, exercise becomes difficult and the ability to dive is compromised.

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Choosing a Camcorder Format

During the past few years, the two most popular formats for amateur underwater videographers have been standard 8mm and Hi-8. However, there are some new kids on the block. Digital camcorders have arrived with a bang.

What’s the difference? All non-digital camcorders and VCRs use an analog format. The video signal is a stream of fluctuating voltages that magnetically records the picture on videotape. When you shoot or dub (copy) video, the recording VCR can’t perfectly duplicate the varied voltages of the video signal. Each copy degrades picture quality.

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CLEAR OUTLOOK

Fully one quarter of all cars on the highway suffer from windshields impaired by pits, chips, and hazing, reports the Automotive Information Council (AIC). In fact, the problem is so widespread that 1% of all vehicles on the highway should have their windshields replaced. Short of that, here are some quick and inexpensive steps you can take to remedy the “windshield blues”:

Begin by cleaning the windshield and checking its condition (an ammonia-based cleaner works well for cutting through road film). You can sometimes buff out light scratches or nicks with jeweler’s rouge, available at glass shops or jewelry stores, or with a do-it-yourself kit available from suppliers like the Eastwood Company. Automotive glass shops will also buff out light scratches for a nominal charge; deeper scratches are likely to be permanent. Minor stone chips and small breaks can sometimes be remedied if confined to the outer layer of glass. These are repaired with resin injected into the flaw to fill and seal the imperfection. Although do-it-yourself kits are available, most recommend having a professional handle this job. Badly cracked or pitted windshields—including those suffering from substantial sand or gravel damage-should be replaced.

CARING FOR WINDOW TINT

Window tint is a popular addition in many cars, especially in areas where blazing summer sun can fry an egg on your dash, as well as fade interior upholstery into relative obscurity. Like the rest of your car, film tint lasts longer with periodic care. Its worst enemy is grime, which builds up and scrapes across the film every time a window is raised or lowered.

Keeping the window clean helps prevent this. Tint experts advise washing the film with a solution of 1-oz biodegradable dishwashing detergent dissolved in a 20-oz spray bottle of distilled water. (White-, pink-, or green-colored dish detergents often contain oils and lotions that build up and cloud the tint.) After application, clean the window with a soft, pliable squeegee. Stubborn spots can be removed by carefully rubbing with a soft cotton cloth.
TINT TIPS
• Be extra careful with cola drinks inside your car. These will quickly deteriorate tint.
• Never use ammonia-based cleaners on window tint.
• Don’t use paper towels to clean windows, since wood fibers can scratch the film. A cotton cloth works best.
• Wash the windows often if you smoke or use hairspray inside the car. Added buildup hastens deterioration.
• Consider washing your own windows instead of having them done at the car wash. You’ll be gentler on the tint.
• Use a silicone-based vinyl protectant like Clear Guard to aid scratch resistance and enhance ultra-violet inhibiting qualities.
• Be careful when releasing seatbelts. Some belts retract quickly, striking the window and damaging tint on the way.
• Too-tight window rollers wear tracks into the film. Keep windows clean to minimize wear, and adjust rollers if needed.

Negative Effects of Caffeine- True or False?

By Patrick Austin

Caffeine is prevalent in many beverages on the market, including coffee, tea, sodas, and energy drinks (of course). But some people worry—are there negative effects of caffeine? This question has lead to many heated debates about the safety of caffeine consumption. Some people believe it’s dangerous to consume large amounts of caffeine on a regular basis, while others contend that caffeine is a harmless stimulant that helps them get through the day.

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Pitbull Training

By Kent Pinkerton

The most troublesome and boring aspect of owning a pet pit bull according to most owners is training. Though boring, early obedience training for pit bulls is very essential, otherwise they may become disobedient and even aggressive. A poorly bred pit bull is often a danger to the people around it. Also, it is necessary to teach housebreaking to a pit bull when it is still a puppy.

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Read this Article if You Like Starbucks Coffee

By Lance Winslow

If you have been watching the stock charts at Starbucks you know that folks love Starbucks Coffee, some say they will drink nothing but Starbucks Coffee. The average store volumes are up 27% over last year and that means more and more people are becoming Starbucks Customers and more and more people are switching to Starbucks. It is truly amazing what Global Strategist Howard Schultz built; a world wide coffee brand which just keeps growing, where employees truly poor their heart into it with Starbuck’s Legendary Service. As a matter of fact let me recommend a book to you; “Pour Your Heart Into It” By Howard Schultz; it is the History of the making of the greatest coffee house chain in the World; Starbucks.

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