Max Maxwell presented a very detailed State of the Union (SOTU) report of how we're doing in Carambola. The devastation left by both Hurricane Irma and especially Hurricane Maria really had a large physical and financial effect on Carambola. The clean-up and repair to infrastructure damage was quite costly. Read all about it on the Members Only section of the website under Meeting Minutes with Max's detailed report of where we currently stand.

 

Many of you already know that there are 3 automatic electric defibrillators (AED's) inside the Carambola community. One is at the Golf Clubhouse just outside the Men's locker room, a second one is located in the unlocked outside storage of Unit #15 Sweet Lime Village (Glengary Unit) and a 3rd AED is at Saman Unit 401 inside the unlocked outside storage. These are checked and updated seasonally. Please take one out of it's cabinet in order to familiarize yourself with the AED. Press the Green button to hear the voice prompts of what to do next; it's really pretty simple. The AED is designed to be used by a 6 year old child or above. All of the Staff at Carambola Golf Club will be retrained in CPR to help in an emergency, but if all residents had even a brief knowledge of CPR, it could save someone's life. The new guidelines emphasize chest compressions only. The reasons are: 1.) most bystanders are unwilling or unfamiliar with rescue breathing 2.) deep, hard compressions (at least 2 inches) draws air automatically into the lungs if you allow complete recoil of the chest between compressions and 3.) if you interrupt compressions for even 2-3 seconds, it takes about 10 new compressions to generate enough circulation to provide the brain and heart with fresh blood and oxygen. So, don't stop the compressions until the AED or EMS arrives. The proper tempo for compressions is about 100/minute, as if you were listening to the tune of "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees. If more than one person  witnesses the arrest, one person should immediately start compressions while the other 1.) calls for help (EMS) and then 2.) retrieves the AED. IMPORTANT - EMS (St CROIX) is 340-772-9111.  If you simply dial 911, you will connect to either Miami or St Thomas. As soon as the defibrillator arrives, attach and shock. After shocking immediately resume chest compressions. If your are compressing properly, you will definitely be tired in 2-3 minutes. Use this 2-3 minute interval to see if the attached AED advises another shock. If so, deliver the shock, then the other person performs chest compressions for 2-3 minutes, or until tired. If you hear "No Shock Indicated" simply resume compressions. Hopefully, EMS will arrive promptly and take over the resuscitation. You could save a life; it's not that complicated - Chest Compressions & Shock until EMS arrives. Good Luck.