Sudden death syndrome

What is Sudden Death Syndrome?

Sudden death syndrome describes a sudden, unexpected death which may occur during sleep, whilst awake, or just after exercise. Most sudden deaths are due to a heart condition and are known as sudden arrhythmia death or sudden cardiac death syndrome.

Sudden arrhythmia death is most commonly due to a serious abnormal change to the heart's rhythm known as an arrhythmia, such as ventricular tachycardia.

Sudden cardiac death describes a sudden death as a result of an un-resuscitated cardiac arrest or heart attack.

Who is at risk of sudden death syndrome?
Sudden death syndrome can occur to anyone.

What causes sudden death syndrome?
There are a number of heart conditions that can cause sudden death syndrome however the cause of sudden death can often remain unknown until a post-mortem has been performed. The majority of victims have no warning signs or prior symptoms.

What can be done to prevent sudden death syndrome?
The majority of sudden deaths are due to inherited heart conditions. Screening family members where there has been a heart condition or a previous sudden death, including a sudden infant death (SIDS), could identify pre-existing conditions that may cause sudden death. Appropriate treatment could then prevent or reduce the risk of sudden death occurring.

What can be done to prevent sudden death syndrome?
The majority of sudden deaths are due to inherited heart conditions. Screening family members where there has been a heart condition or a previous sudden death, including a sudden infant death (SIDS), could identify pre-existing conditions that may cause sudden death. Appropriate treatment could then prevent or reduce the risk of sudden death occurring. 

Singapore Budget 2015 Summary

From straits times 

55岁的公积金退休存款事项：

First State Dividend Advantage trust fund 2015

To provide investors with regular distributions and long-term growth from high dividend yielding equity investments focused in the Asia-Pacific region (excluding Japan). The investment policy of the Fund is to invest all or substantially all of its assets in the First State Asian Equity Plus Fund (Underlying Fund), a sub-fund under the Dublin registered umbrella fund known as First State Global Umbrella Fund plc. The Underlying Fund invests primarily in securities in the Asia Pacific region (excluding Japan). Such companies will be selected on the basis of their high dividend yields and their potential for long-term capital appreciation.

I blogged about selling this first state dividend advantage trust fund in my earlier post at 1.41. I regret doing so now. The price has shot up to as high as 1.71 on 13 Feb 2015. 

Lesson learnt: patience is required when holding to unit trust fund.

Sembcorp Marine 4th quarter 2014 results

SMM: 4Q14 net profit beat estimates, despite falling 4.6% to $174m, bringing full year net profit to $560.1m (+0.8%).  

Top line dropped 14.6% to $1.44b, primarily due to lower revenue recognition for rig building projects ($873.5m, -27%), partially offset by increased contributions in offshore and conversion ($396.1m, +26.3%).  

The key surprise of the quarter, operating margin improved to 16.1% (+5ppt) on repeat execution and efficiency gains, and is unlikely to be sustained in subsequent quarters as Brazil contract recognition intensifies.  

Management admitted that the delivery for the first Sete Brasil drillship may not meet original Jun&rsquo 15 schedule, but will minimise the delay with recovery plans. We see additional costs and margin pressure in FY15-17E, especially with increasing recognition of Brazil-related contracts (31-45% of revenue). SMM has not been paid by Sete Brasil since Nov 14 and is owed SGD70-80m.

Order book stands at $11.4b, and a challenging order win environment in FY15 is largely expected.

Final DPS of 8¢ bringing full year DPS to 13¢ (FY13: 13¢ ).  

SMM is trading at 2.1x P/B.

Latest broker ratings:  
CLSA maintains Sell with TP $1.99
JP Morgan maintains Underweight with TP $2.40
Deutsche maintains Sell with TP of $2.50
Maybank KE maintains Sell with TP of $2.65
Goldman Sachs maintains Neutral with TP of $2.70
Morgan Stanley maintains underweight with TP $3.00
Credit Suisse maintains Neutral with TP reduced to $3.30 from $3.60
CIMB maintains Add with TP reduced to $3.39 from $4.00
Barclays maintains Equal Weight with TP of $3.40

Buddha Images

I found some Buddha images from the Internet. The Buddha faces give me a feel of serenity when I look at them.

I especially like this image because of its colors and close-up shot on the Buddha face.

Cancer at final days

Recognizing signs of approaching death

Death from cancer usually occurs after a person has gradually become weaker and more tired over several weeks or months. Although it is not always possible to predict how long someone will live, some common signs and symptoms show that a person is entering the final weeks and days of life. Knowing what to expect helps relieve anxiety and allows better planning. For instance, it allows loved ones to try to be together during the person’s last hours.

Signs and symptoms that suggest that a person with cancer may be entering the final weeks of life:

• Progressive weakness and exhaustion
• A need to sleep much of the time, often spending most of the day in bed or resting
• Weight loss and muscle thinning or loss
• Minimal or no appetite and difficulty eating or swallowing fluids
• Decreased ability to talk and concentrate
• Little interest in doing things that were previously important
• Loss of interest in the outside world, news, politics, entertainment, local events, gossip
• Wanting to have only a few people nearby (The person may want few visitors, may need to limit the time spent with visitors, or wish to have no visitors at all.)

As the last days of life approach, you may observe the following signs and symptoms:

• Breathing may slow, sometimes with very long pauses between breaths
• Noisy breathing, with congestion and gurgling or rattling sounds as the person becomes unable to clear fluids from the throat. (Typically, similar to loud snoring, these sounds may concern others, but the ill person has no awareness of them.)
• Cool skin that may turn a bluish, dusky color, especially in the person’s hands and feet
• Dryness of the person’s mouth and lips
• Decreased amount of urine
• Incontinence (loss of bladder and bowel control)
• Restlessness or repetitive, involuntary movements
• Being confused about time, place, and identity of people, including family members and close friends
• Seeing or hearing people present or things that are not there. Although this is a form of hallucination, it is normal and not a cause for concern unless they scare or upset the person who is ill. These dream-like experiences often reflect themes of travel, preparation for travel, or people who have died (including parents) who are welcoming the person who is sick.
• A tendency to drift in and out of consciousness and gradually becoming less and less responsive to touch or voice of time.

Of course, every person is different. The signs and symptoms that people experience vary, and the order in which signs and symptoms occur may differ.

Providing comfort

Family members and caregivers can help the person who is ill become more comfortable during these last days and hours of life. The person’s doctors and nurses can guide you through steps you can take based on the person’s specific condition and needs. Here are some general guidelines for providing comfort:

• Use an “eggshell” mattress or foam cushions to make beds and chairs more comfortable.
• Help the person change positions frequently.
• Change bedsheets at least twice a week or more often, as necessary.
• Elevate the person's head if doings so is comfortable, or turn the person onto his or her side to help make breathing easier.
• Use blankets to help keep the person warm. (However, do not use electric blankets because they can cause burns.) Or, gently rub the person's hands and feet or soak the hands and feet in warm water if doing so is comforting or pleasurable.
• Speak in a clear, calm voice, and remind the person of the time, place, and people present. This may help ease confusion and disorientation. However, such steps may not help if the person has delirium (mental confusion).
• If the person is withdrawn or unresponsive, say things that are supportive and reassuring and do not require the person to respond. Instead of saying, “How are you?” to someone who is unresponsive, consider saying things such as, “Everything is alright.” “We are here with you.” “We are supporting one another.” “We love you.”
• Offer sips of liquid through a straw or from a spoon, if the person can swallow, to help keep the mouth moist. Glycerin swabs and lip balm also help with dry mouth and lips.
• Massage the person’s body gently if it seems soothing. Massage can be comforting as well as helping with blood circulation. Using a moistening lotion can soothe and alleviate dry skin. (Avoid alcohol-based lotions which while cleansing can further dry the person’s skin.)
• Be there. Your presence can be a gift to the person who is ill. By being present you acknowledge the profound nature of this transition from life. Sometimes, the best ways to comfort and reassure include simply sitting with the person, talking, offering gentle touch, or holding the person’s hands. Such steps not only help ease loneliness, but can also be healthy expressions of love for the person who is dying.

Singapore SwimSafer bronze (stage 4)

According to Ah boy's swimming coach, Ah boy will be taking his swimsafer bronze (stage 4) this year. I search the Internet and this is what I found about this test.

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Personal Water Survival and Stroke Improvement Skills

Development of your child’s stroke technique will be a focus here, along with coordinated breathing in deep water while swimming 100 meters. Principles of water crafty safety will be introduced, as well as continuous work on rescue and personal water survival skills.

Entries & Exits

• Enter water using a compact jump

Sculling & Body Orientation

• Demonstrate a backward and forward somersault in the water

Underwater skills

• Search for and recover an object in 1.5m of water depth.
• Demonstrate a feet-first surface dive

Movement/Swimming/Strokes

Swim 100m continuously

• 25m Front crawl
• 25m Breaststroke
• 25m Backstroke
• 25m Survival Backstroke or Sidestroke

Survival & Activity skills

• Dressed in swimwear, shorts and t-shirt, demonstrate 3min swimming slowly using any appropriate swim stroke, changing every minute

Rescue skills

• Perform a throw rescue using an unweighted rope over a distance of 6m.
• Wade to a person and deliver a floatation aid in deep water.
• Approach in “Ready” position.

Knowledge

• Principles of water craft safety

CPF proposed changes from Today Online 4 Feb 2015

The panel is proposing that the sum of S$80,500 for CPF members turning 55 in 2016 be called the Basic Retirement Sum. This Basic Retirement Sum should increase by 3 per cent each year for cohorts turning 55 from 2017 to 2020, to keep pace with inflation and changes in household expenditure.

"For CPF members who are not homeowners or who do not have a CPF pledge on the their property (which refers to the sum of money that will go into his CPF account if he sells the property), the panel thinks they should set aside a sum of S$161,000 in 2016 – equivalent to the Minimum Sum for those turning 55 from July. This could be called the Full Retirement Sum, the panel said.

"Those who want to put more into their Retirement Account for higher annuity payouts should be allowed to do so, felt the panel, which is proposing that they be allowed to have up to three times the Basic Retirement Sum to pay for CPF LIFE premiums (or S$241,500 in 2016).

"Also addressed in its first set of recommendations is lump-sum withdrawal of CPF savings at the age of 65. The panel suggests allowing the withdrawal of up to 20 per cent of Retirement Account savings, inclusive of the S$5,000 that can be withdrawn from age 55."

Source: Today Online, 4 Feb 15.

Dependants' Protection Scheme

You should insure yourself under the Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS), an optional term insurance scheme which covers members for an insured sum of $46,000 up to age 60. 

This scheme provides CPF members and their families with some money to tide them over the initial years should the insured members become physically/mentally incapacitated or die. 

The claim will be paid to the insured member if he becomes physically/mentally incapacitated or to his family members or appointed beneficiaries through the deceased's estate upon his death.