First Responders of 31 local Armstrong County Fire Departments are now best-equipped to save pets lives during a fire thanks to two local Invisible Fence Brand dealers.

This donation is just a small part of Invisible Fence Brands Project Breathe program, which was established with the goal of equipping every fire station in America and Canada with pet oxygen masks. The Invisible Fence Company of Pittsburgh, located in Greensburg and the Invisible Fence Company of Western PA have both been very active in their efforts to gain awareness and fulfill the program for this part of Pennsylvania. To date, through these two dealers, over 200 masks have been donated and nationally, over 10,000 are now on first responder vehicles ready for use.

When a family suffers the tragedy of a fire, lives are turned upside down, said Albert Lee, Director of Invisible Fence Brand. Pets are valued family members, so we want families to know that their pet can be cared for if tragedy strikes.

These masks truly are blessings for the Armstrong County area, said Lt. Luke Linnon Weve seen residents run back into burning homes to save a pet. Its understandable, but extremely dangerous. These masks will give residents comfort in knowing that we can save their pets if they are suffering from smoke inhalation.

The donation event was held at the Manor Township Volunteer Fire Department and included instruction on how to recover a frightened pet, first aid and pet CPR demonstration and Pet Oxygen Mask training. We are honored to be working with pet professionals like CART, Pet Emergency Training and Learning to Lead to fully equip and train first responders. said Carolyn Mento co-owner of Invisible Fence of Pittsburgh. It is not easy to find, rescue and treat a pet during the randomness of a fire. But this training gives first responders the tools to make a difference when they are out there. A reported 120+ pets have been saved by the nationally donated masks so far, including a number of dogs and cats in our area.

Armstrong County is now joining the ranks of cities like Pittsburgh, Denver, Chicago and Memphis, who have all received donated pet oxygen masks from Project Breathe program.

We still have a long way to go, says Mento of the efforts to succeed in the programs mission, But every donation takes us a step further.

Invisible Fence Brand has set up a website, http://www.invisiblefence.com/O2 where people or companies can assist with contributions.

About Invisible Fence Brand Invisible Fence Brand is the original electronic pet containment system and offers a comprehensive family of containment, avoidance, and access products to keep pets out of harm’s way and prevent unwanted behaviors throughout both the home and yard. Owned by Radio Systems Corporation in Knoxville, Tenn., Invisible Fence Brand solutions are sold nationwide by professional, authorized dealers who provide Perfect Start Pet training and custom installation that have safely contained over 2 million pets. Invisible Fence Brand has taken pet care beyond the home and started the Project Breathe program, which has donated more than 10,000 pet oxygen masks to fire departments and first responders. For more information on Invisible Fence Brand or to find a local dealer, visit http://www.invisiblefence.com.

Many athletes come home with remarkable photos of their outdoors adventures and misadventures. These are some of their tricks.

Camera is the Most Important
Now in the age of digital photography SLR cameras are the best ask. Invest in a mid to high-end SLR (single-lens reflex) camera such as the Nikon D40 or D60, or a Digital Rebel EOS XSi or XTi. Today’s digital SLRs create high-quality, high-resolution shots in a multitude of settings and modes.Many brands are comparable in price and most cameras in similar price ranges match up well in head-to-head comparisons. Plus, digital SLRs will produce fantastic, professional photography results in the outdoors.

Point and shoots cameras are the main trend today since they can be so light and portable, the camera quality is also exemplary. However, they limit one’s ability to add lenses and filters that enhance the quality and effects of outdoor picture-taking. If a point and shoot is the only camera available, experiment with the tips listed below that do not pertain to attaching filters, and fantastic outdoor sporting photos can still be achieved.

Tripod- Utilize a tripod for ultra-clear shots when a scenic panorama is involved. You cannot easily have a steady hand during action, it will also help to avoid the focusing problems. Athletes willing to take photographs will also have some other problems, they will be tired, breathing hard and adrenaline will be pumped during action etc and all these can be avoided.

The natural sunlight offered will open wide range of opportunity to experiment with the light setup. Accessories like tripods and lenses will help a lot for the athletes for taking some of the quality photos focusing the subject in action. There are many types of tripods available so that you can choose one that are more suitable for your type of photography. You should look for one that can be easily carried around without adding great weight to your already heavy sports kit.

Polarizer- Circular polarized filters virtually eliminate the glare and reflection caused by the sun bouncing off of water and particles in the atmosphere. Polarized filters turn ultra-bright rivers into see-through water wonderlands. And when the sky appears hazy and dull on the brightest of days, a polarized lens will transform the sky into an exquisite, cobalt blue.

There are many modes to choose from on most digital cameras. Determining the desired effect of a photograph is the first order of business. Reading the manual that comes with the camera is highly recommended for familiarizing oneself with modes and settings. But to break it down in the simplest of terms, try experimenting with the follow tips when taking outdoor sporing pictures.

You can avoid camera slippage using a good camera gear. Stick on to some of the basics of camera for getting those wonderful pictures. Experiment with camera settings, angles, composition, and time of day. Combining these tips and techniques will greatly-enhance any outdoor photographer’s sporting adventures.