by
Paul on Tuesday, 30 June, 2009
First aid for electric shock victims
This site is where (presumably) high-voltage current, carried from huge electricity pylons and copper wire, meets the earth, heading underground to nearby homes. The signs posted around the fence are supposed to help you with first aid in case you need to assist someone who’s been electrocuted.
Of course, it goes without saying that when someone has just been electrocuted, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll have the luxury of time to read this board or surf the web for an answer. So take a moment, read this article, and do some more research on how to give first aid - you could save someone’s life and prevent yourself from getting injured in the process.
Four points that may be obvious, but are key to remember, are:
- Switch off the power source
- Don’t get yourself electrocuted
- You may have to start CPR
- High-voltage victims may have broken bones and internal damage - be careful if you have to move them
by
Paul on Monday, 29 June, 2009
Lego, fun for all ages
Come on now, admit it, everyone loves playing with Lego… don’t they? After chatting with several friends who have kids I’ve decided that guys (and perhaps a few girls) have kids only so that they can justify buying Lego. I believe that our stand-in photographer Mandy has no kids and is unashamedly a Lego-lover (which is why we have this photo today!).
An interesting thing that I discovered from the Wikipedia article on Lego is that Ole Kirk Christiansen, Lego’s inventor, actually used a patented design by Hilary Harry Fisher Page called Kiddicraft. Kiddicraft was developed in the 1930s, while Lego materialised in the 1940s. Lego (due to its remarkable success) eventually succeeded in purchasing the rights to Kiddicraft in 1981.
Aren’t we all lucky that Ole “leveraged” the Kiddicraft design? Were it not for this small part of history, it’s possible that millions would never have experienced the joy of Lego!
by
Paul on Sunday, 28 June, 2009
No swimming
The area around this signpost is littered with dolosse - big concrete blocks used to break the force of the waves hitting the retaining wall of the V&A Waterfront’s parking area.
Even if you were a strong swimmer accustomed to braving the icy water, and even if the ocean looked particularly calm, the small waves ebbing and flowing would quickly crash you against the barnacle-covered concrete dolosse, making your swim at best rather unpleasant, and at worst, fatal.
It’s strange how apparently calm waters can actually be very rough seas for humans, when combined with immovable objects like these dolosse. This sort of “apparent safety” is presumably also the reason that I see parents driving with their young kids unrestrained in their cars. If you do on occasion allow your kids unrestrained in a vehicle, imagine for a moment running as fast as you can into a sheet of glass. It takes a lot to make me angry - but this does.
If you’re a parent, take a moment to visit the Childsafe website and read the Arrive Alive article on ensuring that your children are kept safe while in transit.
Thank-you to Mandy for helping out with photos, including this one, while we’ve been touring around the country for the Confederations Cup.
by
Paul on Saturday, 27 June, 2009
Half-pounder Cannon
A friend of mine,
Bennie Vivier, belongs to the
Tygerberg Photography Society; the society members visited the
Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town on an outing - an educational opportunity and a chance to capture some extraordinary photos.
Bennie managed to snap this photo when a member of the Cannon Society fired this half-pounder cannon. I’m surprised not to see the cannonball floating in mid air! 
Some time ago cannons fell under the Firearms Act, which meant that they were governed by the same restrictions applying to modern firearms. The Cannon Society petitioned the authorities, and to satisfy the South African Police they drew up an official safety handbook, set up a code of conduct, and agreed to training courses for gunners. Today cannons and antique muzzle-loaded firearms have been deregulated and no longer fall under the Firearms Act (although a competency certificate obtained through proper training is required).
