Thursday, October 9, 1997
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
Police speak own language
By Mary Corcoran
mcorcoran@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
"Medic1, Medic3, Medic4, north district 10-39. 10-40 19th and Naismith. Two code red stable. Code yellow."
Why can't police dispatchers just speak English?
For those who do not speak police code, the above means, "Send ambulances 1, 3, and the officer covering the north district on an emergency call. A fatal car accident has occurred at 19th Street and Naismith Drive. Two people are seriously injured. One person is moderately injured."
"The usage of the codes cuts down on the amount of radio traffic," said Rhonda Birdson, communications supervisor for the KU police department. "They make the message more clear and concise. Officers may not understand some words. 'He' or 'she' might sound like 'we' over the radio."
Birdsong said police officers had been using codes even before the invention of the radio.
"They had other means for codes prior to radio usage," she said. "English bobbies used to tap their nightsticks on the sidewalks. You would always know where a bobby was because you could hear his nightstick."
Police dispatchers and officers use a variety of codes to contact each other. From "10" signals, like 10-4 and 10-39, to code words, like medic 1 or yellow, the codes help officers understand each other in a more efficient manner.
"Ten" signals are broken down into a prefix, the ten, and a suffix, the number following the ten, Bird-song said. Each code has a separate suffix. Sometimes the suffixes differ from town to town, but Bird-song said there were some "ten" signals that every police officer knew.
"The universal codes are 10-4, of course, also 10-27, 10-28, 10-29 - the ones that deal with license and registration information," she said.
Police officers also use a form of phonetic alphabet, but their alphabet differs from the military phonetic
10-4, good buddy
Standard police codes:
■ 10-3 Stand by
■ 10-4 OK
■ 10-15 Prisoner in custody
■ 10-19 Return to station
■ 10-20 What's your location?
■ 10-29 Check for wanted car or subject
■ 10-32 Chase, all units stand by
■ 10-39 Emergency or accident
■ 10-40 Fatality reported
■ 10-45 Investigate vehicle with occupants
■ 10-48 Auto accident — personal injury
■ 10-49 Send ambulance to (location)
■ 10-94 Bomb threat
■ 10-95 Fight in progress
■ 10-98 Riot or mass disturbance
Triage (injury) conditions:
**Image (injury) conditions:**
- **code green:** subject is fine
- **code yellow:** subject is injured but not seriously
injured
- **code red stable:** subject is seriously injured
- **code red critical:** subject has life-threatening injuries
- **code blue:** subject has life-threatening injuries
- **code black:** subject is dead
alphabetic. While an Army officer might say "Alpha Zulu Alpha," a police officer would say "Adam Zebra Adam."
Birdsong, who worked as a dispatcher for almost 16 years, said she had six months to memorize the codes.
"They are difficult to memorize. We consider them a separate language," she said. "It's a concentrated effort to learn the codes."
Although police officers have 112 different "10" codes and signals at their disposal, Sgt. Chris Keary of KU police said the officers did not use them all.
"When it comes down to it, if someone can't understand the codes, we just speak plain English." he said.
Aspirin may increase caffeine intake
Students watching their daily caffeine intake better check the label on the aspirin bottle.
By Sarah Chadwick
schadwick@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Many common pain relievers have as much, or more, caffeine than a cola drink, said Julie Francis, Watkins Memorial Health Center health educator.
One Excedrin tablet contains 65 milligrams of caineine, compared to 46 milligrams in a 12 ounce can of Coca-Cola. A can of Pepsi contains 37 milligrams. Anacin contains 32 milligrams, and Midol has 33 milligrams of caffeine per tablet, according to information released by the health promotion and education department at Watkins.
Caffeine increases the power of aspirin and other painkillers by about 40 percent, according to "Nutrition Action," a health newsletter.
Combining these tablets with large amounts of caffeine from cola drinks, coffee or tea can be hard on the body. Francis said.
"Around 250 milligrams is where you start having overdose symptoms, like shaking and irritability," Francis said.
"Around 500 milligrams, you start seeing more toxic symptoms. There will be severe shaking and possible problems with the heartbeat."
These effects vary for each
Caffeine scorecard
Caffeine concentrations in various foods and drugs:
substance dosage
Anacin (2)
Cappuccino, short (8 oz.)
Cappuccino, tall (12 oz.)
Coffee, instant (8 oz.)
Coffee, non-gourmet (8 oz.)
Coffee, decaf (8 oz.)
Cola (12 oz.)
Espresso (1 oz.)
Excedrin (2)
Mountain Dew (12 oz.)
NoDoz, Regular (1)
Tea, bottled (12 oz.)
Tea, leaf or bag (8 oz.)
Tea, decaf (8 oz.)
Tea, green or instant (8 oz.)
Vivarin (1)
Source: Nutrition Action Healthletter, Dec 1996
person, though, said Randall Rock, Watkins chief of staff.
Typical colas contain about 35 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce serving, and a 12-ounce cup of coffee contains about 250 milligrams.
M. D. Bradshaw/KANSAN
Vivarin and No-Doze, nonprescription drugs that some students take to stay awake, contain 200 milligrams and 100 milligrams, respectively.
Caffeine can affect a person's sleep habits for up to six hours
"A 52-ounce Big Gulp drink of Coke has 198 milligrams in it," Francis said. "If you have one with a Vivarin, No-Doze or Excedrin, that pushes you up there."
after intake, Francis said. The drug, a mild stimulant, can be addictive, she said.
"It stays in the system for a while," she said. "You can't plan to get to bed in half an hour and have a Coke. It's going to affect how you sleep."
"Headaches can develop in people that use caffeine consistently, then stop all of the sudden," Rock said. "If caffeine isn't replaced in a predictable time or quantity, the headaches can be quite severe. You need to taper off instead of stopping immediately."
For caffeine addicts worried about their health, Rock does not advise quitting cold turkey.
CPR can save a life in a heartbeat.
2:00-4:30 p.m.
4:30-7:00 p.m.
2:00-4:30 p.m.
9:00-11:30 a.m.
864-9570 to sign up. Call for additional dates.
Training classes cover adult/child/infant CPR using American Heart Association materials. $10 fee for students, $15 for non-students.
//www.ukans.edu/home/watkins
The No-Needle HIV Test
The new Orasure test for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is available on a walk-in basis. It's the simplest, no-needle way to be sure: a small collection pad is placed between your cheek and gum for 2 minutes. The pad takes a sample containing HIV antibodies, and is sent to a clinical laboratory for analysis. Cost is $40. Pre- and post-test counseling included. For more information: Lab O 864-9544
Anonymous HIV Testing is also available by appointment.
No record is kept, and you can use any first name. Cost is $19 cash, paid when tested. Pre- and post-test counseling included. Appointments: $864-9507
If you think you might be HIV-positive, you need to know for sure. People with HIV who get early and consistent medical care live longer, healthier lives.
© 785.864.9500
The Thrill of Victory... and the Agony of the Feet
//www.ukans.edu/home/watkins
You got on a fitness kick. But unfortunately, it kicked you back. From aching back to twisted ankle, the Sports Medicine Clinic will work to get you back into your routine. And you don't have to be an athlete to visit. Even if you just step off the curb wrong, we'll take care of you. Come see us if your body won't cooperate with you. Because we will.
Appointments: 864-9507
Lawrence M. Magee
M. D., Univ. of Kansas, 1977
M. D., Univ. of Kansas, 1977 Coordinator of Sports Medicine Clinic Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine Fellow, American Academy Family Practice Board Certified in Family Practice Certificate of Added Qualification—Sports.Med.
785.864.9500
ukans.edu/home/watkins
Convenient, Confidential, Economical
Cheryl Hickert Nurse Practitioner
At Watkins, students receive comprehensive, confidential gynecologic care. We have a board certified gynecologist and certified nurse practitioners. And our prices are lower than most off-campus facilities.
Services in the Gynecology Clinic, Men's Clinic and General Medicine Clinic include:
- contraceptives and contraceptive counseling (walk-in basis)
- annual exams and Pap smears
after abnormal Pap sme
● treatment for acute gynecologic problems
● treatment of STDs for females and males
● infertility counseling and treatment.
Appointments:
864-9507
0.785.864.9500
ukans.edu/home/watkins
Don't wait for a system crash.
Dee Ann DeRoin
M. D., Stanford University, 1978 Board Certified in Family Practice
When it comes to your PC—virus or software trouble are high priority. Be as good to yourself as you would your computer and don't wait for a system crash. Make Watkins part of your personal health maintenance plan with these services and more:
The new Pharmacy for prescription and non-prescription medications usually less expensive than off campus. Caring For KU
- Board-certified physicians and nurse
- Health Educators for consultation
practitioners for check-ups or urgent care
Appointments:
864-9507
- Registered Dietitian
on health issues
785.864.9500
ans.com/home/watkins
Quality health care that you expect
Patricia M. Denning
M. D., Univ. of Kansas, 1982 Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, KUMC Board Certified in Internal Medicine
At Watkins you always know what to expect—9 board-certified physicians to help you with your health concerns in a personal, caring manner.
medicine, and pulmonary disease.
Board certification means they've had additional training in a specialty area and passed a comprehensive examination. Areas of specialty training include internal medicine, family practice, gynecology, emergency medicine, gynecology, emergency
students can count on
With health care that
students can count
—we expect you'll
like it here.
Appointments
864-9507
785.864.9500
ucans.edu/home/watkins