Fandom High School

Today the Danger Shop looked like a classroom, with one wall removed, backing onto a beach, where the temperature was degrees hotter. Standing in the shade of the remaining walls Mohinder waited as the students arrived.

"Dehydration, or fluid loss," said Mohinder, "Heatstroke can give you a headache, make you tired and dizzy. The longer your temperature is elevated, the worse the symptoms - a 5 or 10 percent drop will need hospitalization." Mohinder went on to discuss countering a heat wave.

"A hangover is a mild form of alcohol induced dehydration. Nausea, vomiting..." Mohinder paused - letting the students fill in the blanks. "The symptoms are unpleasant but temporary, and there are a number of attempts to alleviate the the symptoms - though feel free to make your own inventions instead, and have a good summer."

[OCD is up!]

The stacks of bandages on the desks probably made this workshop topic obvious. Mohinder picked up one of the rolls and twisted the ends in his fingers.

"Blood and broken bones are some of the most obvious signs of injuries. Not that internal bleeding can't be life threatening, but that's a problem requiring more medical intervention." He glanced around the classroom, before continuing, "I'm sure you've experienced minor injuries, where the blood loss stops automatically," and going on to describe bandaging techniques.

"Bones can be broken in a simple or compound fracture," Mohinder described the possibilities. "And, depending on the site and complexity of the break, they can take months and medical intervention to fully repair, where something as simple as a broken nose will heal on its own. With broken arms or legs splinting and immobilising the limb is the first step," he summarised.

"Now try it for yourselves."

[OCD is up!]

"Planning your escape route," said Mohinder, from his perch at what would have been the front of the classroom, if it hadn't been a dimmed and slightly battered apartment several stories up. "Is not limited to those of a criminal nature."

"Check your exits, look out for any suspicious on solicitious behaviour and - whether or not you're already armed - assess your surroundings for anything that can be used to defend yourself with." Mohinder looked up from considering the martial prospects of a lamp. "In situations where you're outgunned, the least stupid option is run. Travel light, and keep you wits about you. You may not need to be faster if you can block your pursuer's path. A strained ankle-" and he shifted topics to detail treating that and concussion "-can slow you down or stop you."

"First, I want you to practise RICE on a partner's ankle," Mohinder said, gesturing aside to the supplies. "Then you might have to run."

[OCD is up like an up thing]

"Good afternoon," said Mohinder from the front of the classroom, leaning against the wall as everyone filed in. "I'm Dr Mohinder Suresh, this is 'Paranois and First Aid', and I sincerely hope none of you will need any of the skills taught in this workshop." He paused in thought, a moment. "Optimism aside, I can't say that's entirely likely though."

"But first, introductions - I'm sure you've done this in your other workshops, so..." Mohinder shrugged. "You know how this works. Name, where you come from, blood type, and any allergies or serious injuries you may have." Glancing down at the notes on the desk beside him, Mohinder looked back up and added, "And this is where you tell me of any medical skills or healing abilities you have."

After the introductions Mohinder, now sitting on his desk, said, "Paranoia is an irrational fear of danger, even persecution, from others." He leant forward, intent, "The key here is irrational. When the stakes are high and the danger similarly great, how do we accurately judge a threat? Does our behaviour become become paranoid when we can no longer explain it to others?"

[OCD is up!]