I was hoping the California Supreme Court would correct a mistake by the appellate court and reverse the lower court's interpretation of California's Good Samaritan Law. Instead, the Supremes set the screwed up interpretation in stone and now the only way to fix it will be through the state legislators.

I had little hope. I mean, getting our state legislators to fix anything is nearly impossible. They haven't gotten a budget together in over a year.

Oddly enough, there seems to be some interest in fixing this court mistake. Now if only lawmakers can follow through.

Only time will tell...

• Bills seek stronger liability shield for good Samaritans in California - Sacramento Bee
• No Good Samaritans in California
• Good Samaritan Laws
• Before You Save a Life: What You Need to Now
• All States Have Good Sam Laws?

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155 people were aboard an Airbus 320 airplane that crashed into the Hudson River. The US Airways flight reportedly struck a flock of birds right after takeoff and lost power.

US Airways flight 1549 in Hudson River surrounded by rescue boats
Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images

All passengers and crew were able to escape alive, but the list of possible injuries is extensive. There isn't any news yet, but authorities mentioned that many folks had to be treated for "exposure," which I'm sure is the same as hypothermia.

• Hypothermia Treatment
• In Flight Emergencies
• How to Save a Drowning Victim

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Vicks VapoRub is dangerous in kids under 2 years old.

The FDA has been saying for a while not to use cold medicine in kids. Here's a reason why: Vicks VapoRub can kill toddlers. Vicks VapoRub increases mucous in everybody, but little kids don't have much room to spare in their tiny airways, which can lead to severe respiratory distress.

All that mucous is hard to clear out of the airways, also.

Vicks VapoRub is usually applied to the chest and the fumes are supposed to help breathing. The worst cases seem to be in kids who get the medicine right under their noses, which the company says not to do for anyone.

Read the full story by Reuters: Vicks VapoRub can harm children under 2

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The Associated Press released a story about people with power-dependant medical equipment. It seems these folks are the forgotten patients in disaster situations when the power goes off.

Generators, batteries and oxygen tanks can only last so long, but not having them is a bad idea. The most important thing in the AP story is the realization that no one is going to help you but you. It's a lesson we can all use, not just those with life support equipment.

In an emergency, the person most worried about you and your family is you. Regardless of whether you have specialized equipment or not, it is a good idea to plan and prepare for emergencies.

• Keeping home life-support up when power goes out - Associated Press
• Disaster Supplies
• Surviving Power Failures

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