WARNING! GRAPHIC CONTENT! - INCLUDING IMAGES OF CHAINSAW INJURIES
As Arborists whether you're on the ground or in the tree, it is an inherently high risk industry. Working with chainsaws and large machinery on a daily basis, in an (often times) high pressure environment.
Because of this we are seeing more and more Arborists carrying trauma kits and Tourniquets. In large part, thanks to companies like MediArb Training sharing great information online.
We are also seeing more contractors and companies adding comprehensive Trauma First Aid training to their annual training schedule. With more and more training being supplied through Arborist Equipment Suppliers that are collaborating with training companies such as MediArb training in the UK, who develop and run industry specific first aid and trauma training.
A traumatic injury at work is a situation no one want to be in, or to see a work mate in. However a "plan for the worst, hope for the best" mentality is the right way to approach it in my humble opinion. With the mandatory "Basic First Aid" not being enough for what an Arborist could potentially come up against.
Three questions that come up are:
- Are you carrying Trauma Kits (or even just Tourniquets at the very least)
- How are you choosing to carry the equipment (is it quickly accessible in an emergency)
- Are you getting regular Trauma First Aid Training
- Are you accessing industry specific First Aid Training through your local Arb store
Training that's accessible through a wide network of Arb stores around the world is potentially one of the best ways to make it as accessible as possible, to as much of the industry as possible.
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The reason I am so passionate about this topic is because a good friend of mine injured himself with a chainsaw while working at height at the end of a very extended branch.
It was caused by the branch he was cutting going the wrong way, and him reaching to try and catch it.
He reached across the saw and his arm was pulled into the running chain...
Fortunately the chain was slowing down, and the saw hit his arm at an angle instead of straight on, meaning it didn't cut into his arm, it cut along it.
Unfortunately being at the end of a long branch, with a low climbing anchor point meant that he couldn't descend straight down (he would have taken a massive uncontrolled pendulum swing into the trunk). Because of this he had to climb back into the tree before descending down.
He was so lucky that this situation didn't turn out much worse.
If the saw had cut into his arm instead of along it, he would have needed at least a tourniquet in the tree that was easily accessible, and the ability to correctly and quickly apply it.
Plus he would have needed a very fast rescue from height.
Dare I say it, I would be reminiscing about my friend in a very different way...
This is why I'm so passionate about carrying the best trauma first aid equipment and having the training to use it.
Even recently through social media, chainsaw injuries on job sites are being shared. With improvised tourniquets being used that may do the job to some extent... but often times not at all.
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The goal is to obviously never have these accidents happen, whether it's with better training, or the use of different techniques and machinery. But a close second for me is for everyone (climbers and ground workers) to have the best First Aid Training, easily accessible and updated on a regular basis. So everyone has the skills and equipment to help if the worst case scenario were to occur.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic, especially as there will be a big difference in training and industry practices depending on where in the world you are.
Thanks and stay safe, Dan