Cougars and Ravens

When you think of it, the first aid spectr always begins with prevention and avoidance.  Here is an interesting story that might help you avoid a medical emergency some day.

In his book, The Mind of the Raven, Bernd Heinrich relates on page 193 an incident involving a woman who lived with her husband in a cabin near the head of Boulder Canyon.  The woman was outside when she noticed a raven flying nearby.  "I never paid much attention to ravens," she said, "but this one was so noisy that it was downright irritating."  The raven came closer, made a pass near her and then flew up to some rocks where she saw a crouching mountain lion.  Just then her 300 pound husband came out of the cabin and the lion slipped away.

The woman, who was very religious, thought it was a miracle.  "That raven saved my life," she said.  Maybe so, but Professor Heinrich thought it might also be because the raven was luring the cougar to make a kill, alerting it to a suitable target.

Whichever you choose to believe, the point is, be alert to unusual signs and sounds in the environment around you.  It could help you avoid a medical emergency some day!