TGIS! Thank God It's Spring!

For the past few months most of us have been waiting for the weather to be just right to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Spring is in the air, there’s a desire to be one with nature, and camping, hiking and all that good stuff is just calling our name. But as the weather continues to get warmer and our bodies do more exercise, there is one potential danger that we need to be very aware of: dehydration.

Symptoms of dehydration usually begin with thirst and progress to more alarming manifestations as the need for water becomes more dire. The initial signs and symptoms of mild dehydration in adults appear when the body has lost about 2% of it's total fluid. These mild dehydration symptoms are often (but not limited to):

• Thirst
• Loss of Appetite
• Dry Skin
• Skin Flushing
• Dark Colored Urine
• Dry Mouth
• fatigue or Weakness
• Chills
• Head Rushes

If the dehydration is allowed to continue unabated, when the total fluid loss reaches 5% the following effects of dehydration are normally experienced:

• Increased heart rate
• Increased respiration
• Decreased sweating
• Decreased urination
• Increased body temperature
• Extreme fatigue
• Muscle cramps
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Tingling of the limbs

When the body reaches 10% fluid loss emergency help is needed IMMEDIATELY! 10% fluid loss and above is often fatal! Symptoms of severe dehydration include:

• Muscle spasms
• Vomiting
• Racing pulse
• Shriveled skin
• Dim vision
• Painful urination
• Confusion
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Chest and Abdominal pain
• unconsciousness


Being able to recognize this threat is the biggest preventative measure that we can take. Your safety is number 1.

Taking about safety, I came across a new item to the market, the UZI Tactical Pen. It comes in two variations: Glass Breaker or DNA Catcher.

Its construction is Aircraft Aluminum and uses a standard Parker and Fisher Space Refill. Let me tell you, it writes like a DREAM! I have been using it for the last 3 weeks and I don’t go anywhere without it. Due to the size of the pen (it is a little big) it can also double up as a Kubotan (the pen is slightly smaller but will fit in a uniform shirt pocket) as well if you know how to use one.

I would also urge you to check out BlueSheepDog.com: Police Training and Officer Safety Tips. They always have great information and tips for police officers and corrections.

Why I chose to work in corrections

There are some jobs that some people never want to do due to the nature of the job. Corrections is one of them.

It takes a certain type of individual to rise to the occasion. You go in and may not come out. You either live or die based on your words or actions. You deal with the worst of the worst on a daily basis and hopefully go home to your family at the end of the day.

For me, I chose to walk where many dare not go and tragically, not be recognized by society for doing so. If you never hear my name mentioned in the media, your welcome, I did my job so you can live in peace and safety.

Thank you to all my bothers and sisters out there. Stay safe.