Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE!

defex · 4th June 2008, 11:44 PM

Hi guys, just wondering what you guys have on your stock or personalized first aid kit? and any good stories about times that you had to put it to use.

JohN Dee · 4th June 2008, 11:56 PM

We have the kit that got superceeded by this one: https://secure.stjohn.org.au/nswshop...l.asp?pc=2&p=1

Only ever really had to use ours to grab band aids and the tweezers to get out the bloody spines that stab you from the miniature date palms. Make sure you keep it topped and stocked up at all times, I once heard of a bloke receiving a hefty fine from Work Cover for NOT having band aids!

Quintrex · 5th June 2008, 12:05 AM

First aid kit contents required by Workcover Authority NSW

first aid kits.doc

Sean Freeman · 5th June 2008, 12:35 AM

Blood stopper bandaging! An absolute must these things are fantastic, quick simple and very effective.
Gauze Bandage, Blood Stopper - 9 in. X 5.5 in. - Swift First Aid - Mfg# 06-1910

JohN Dee · 5th June 2008, 12:40 AM

Hey Sean, have you ever had to use one of those things for severe bleeding or been on a worksite where one was being used?

Sean Freeman · 5th June 2008, 03:43 AM

Ahh John I was kinda hoping noone would ask that I guess I could lie but I have few rules about being online and being as truthful as possible without hurting others is one of them...........SOOOOOOOOOOO........
Yes I have had blood stoppers used on me twice

No there are no gory pics since the first was three years back and two computers ago and the pics are long gone...kickback into my forearm about 10m up a gum tree, much blood was a Corymbia citriodora...pale stem splashed in red very B grade horror movie like!!!

The blood stopper was great very very effective went from fountain to trickle in 5 secs. The bandage comes attached so its a one action job slap it on wrap it up and elivate the injury....you're good to go, saved a lot of my blood.
You can get them to attach to your harness (have seen guys with the little package) they are great.

Second time was this year using a hedge trimmer in a bucket, the trimmer was resting on the edge of the bucket, trigger caught on the rail leaped into life and out of the bucket.....and yes genius here grabbed it without thinking trying to stop it hitting the ground...but of course grabbed the blade!!!!!

Again very effective first aid product, whether big laceration or small its quick simple and very effective, gives you ample time to deal with any other site issues whilst the ambo's arrive.

One more thing before i never speak of any of this again

having the first aid kit at the job site not in the ute or truck 200m further away can be critical, make it a habit, make it someones responsibility on every job to have the kit in a location that everyone knows...not where its going to get wacked either!....first aid kit and rescue kit have to be on every site within reach.

Ekka · 5th June 2008, 04:07 AM

I'm so tough, that to stop my bleeding I use a magnet!

kimtree · 5th June 2008, 05:20 AM

I found out the hard way that you not only need a first aid kit on the jobsite but up in the bucket as well![it was in the truck]cut the back of my left hand with a silky about 8 metres up in the nifty cleaning palms and had to descend with my hand elevated with blood pissing out every where,not good now i've got a small kit up in the basket

Ekka · 5th June 2008, 05:41 AM

LOL, bloody handsaws are dangerous ... Also, tie a little string loop around the saw and your wrist, coz when you're going for it and sweating woops .... flying saw!

JohN Dee · 5th June 2008, 05:50 AM

Hey Sean, thanks for not lying, I (and I'm sure the rest of the board) appreciate your honesty

. Those are two very interesting stories, just remember, your stories here, may stop myself or one of the other members of this forum the same injury from occuring.

One last question though, can I ask how he kickback occured? Fatigue or complacency?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimtree

I found out the hard way that you not only need a first aid kit on the jobsite but up in the bucket as well![it was in the truck]cut the back of my left hand with a silky about 8 metres up in the nifty cleaning palms and had to descend with my hand elevated with blood pissing out every where,not good now i've got a small kit up in the basket

Lol nice one

, I used to cut myself on my hands like a mofo with my handsaw when it was still razor... Now that its dull, I've gotta work a little bit harder to get it through the wood, but that's all good cuz' that = less microscopic stinging OUCH cuts..

We usually have our first aid kit within 5m of the tree at all times. NEVER gets left in the truck.

Sean Freeman · 5th June 2008, 06:16 AM

It was a weird one blocking out te vertical stems of a trident headed gum each one about 150-200mm diameter was going great guns then just above the saddle..where all three came together had to take some time repositioning as i remember the main stem leant away, it was a little awkward nothing really, got settled againhad my left arm up holding the stem nearest to my head, balanced, placed the running saw against the middle stem began to cut through (the block was about 750mm long) as I finished the cut saw going flat outtook my hand off the saw back onto the vertical stem, (yes one handing at that point) I deliberately used the chain and the bar to flick the block out and away from the fence below, as it moved through the air it tumbled the saw moved in a horizontal arc, the tumbling block and saw came into contact mid air....kickback flicked my sleeve..I thought nothing of it moved to the next position, then thought bugger my shirt got cut then, lifted the tron sleeve to reveal......splatter movie time!

So really what went wrong, going too quick (reduced control), one handing (no control), using the saw to flick the block (no control)

I have never made the same mistake again, though I have made many others!

Snap cutting is quick simple and controlled, oddly enough doing multiple snap cuts on any job can be quite relaxing bit like meditation (well it was to me)

Couple of other points I would like to make (then never speak of this again

) I had a second line with me thankfully, because without it I would not have been able to descend under my own steam..spiking down with one arm would have taken an absolute age...I would have lost too much blood (it was raining down on those below

)
Descending in a calm but agitated state I attached the second line with a chocked on biner (yes I know but I was distracted!) distorted the biner attachment completely almost snapped it in two...never would have believed that to be possible but it was...have never done that since either..side loading biners will lead to failure under enough loading...screaming down 15m on a F8 was just such a loading.

I was very very lucky the cut didn't severe any tendons, mainly because where i was cut they have turned into muscle sheaths, cut through most of them though. The blood stopper was magic, the doctors in the ER very skilled 3 yrs and 28 stitches later 18 internal and 10 external you'd hardly know it had happened.

Ekka · 5th June 2008, 06:47 AM

Bugger me, I hope to never had to go through that!

defex · 8th June 2008, 12:27 AM

Do any of you guys have a teabag and if so what kind?

a_lopa · 8th June 2008, 01:21 AM

A workmate when i was lineclearing cut his calf muscle zoro style just missing the main arterie,lots of blood real quick i was more worried about it than him to start till his adrenaline ran out then he was fairly screaming.

He was bending down cutting off a largish stump with a small saw,it kicked back.

Outcomes after investigation were...

1.Should have been wearing chaps/cutproofs.(chaps were supplied)IMO i dont think they would have helped that much as it was back of leg.

2.Use larger saw.

It sure made me very aware of how nasty the cuts are,I think stump cuts are one of the most hazardous situations.

Therrin · 8th June 2008, 02:25 AM

I picked up one of those QuickClot bloodstopper things. It's in a sealed foil pouch that fits nicely in the cargo pocket on the front of my saw chaps.

And I keep on in the glovebox of the truck.

Other than that there's a full EMT kit in the truck usually when I'm working, complete with 02 rig, bvm, and splints.

Small med kit in my climbing gear bag, mostly just gauze rolls, 4x4's, and tape.

While taking the EMT class I realized the stuff that'd be good to have on hand while far from town and stocked up on those items specifically.
Hope I never have to use most of it, but it's nice to have.

newguy18 · 9th June 2008, 01:55 PM

I always have duct tape on hand in my back pack.Hey it comes in handy for broken bones and handsaw injuries.

4th June 2008, 11:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
defex Sappling Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 9	Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! Hi guys, just wondering what you guys have on your stock or personalized first aid kit? and any good stories about times that you had to put it to use.

4th June 2008, 11:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
JohN Dee Moderator - Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 869	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! We have the kit that got superceeded by this one: https://secure.stjohn.org.au/nswshop...l.asp?pc=2&p=1 Only ever really had to use ours to grab band aids and the tweezers to get out the bloody spines that stab you from the miniature date palms. Make sure you keep it topped and stocked up at all times, I once heard of a bloke receiving a hefty fine from Work Cover for NOT having band aids! __________________ Don't tell me the sky is the limit, when there are footprints on the moon. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Red : Green : Blue

5th June 2008, 12:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
Quintrex Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 560	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! First aid kit contents required by Workcover Authority NSW first aid kits.doc __________________ Heightmaster

5th June 2008, 12:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,868	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! Blood stopper bandaging! An absolute must these things are fantastic, quick simple and very effective. Gauze Bandage, Blood Stopper - 9 in. X 5.5 in. - Swift First Aid - Mfg# 06-1910 __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

5th June 2008, 12:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
JohN Dee Moderator - Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 869	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! Hey Sean, have you ever had to use one of those things for severe bleeding or been on a worksite where one was being used? __________________ Don't tell me the sky is the limit, when there are footprints on the moon. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Red : Green : Blue

5th June 2008, 03:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,868	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! Ahh John I was kinda hoping noone would ask that I guess I could lie but I have few rules about being online and being as truthful as possible without hurting others is one of them...........SOOOOOOOOOOO........ Yes I have had blood stoppers used on me twice No there are no gory pics since the first was three years back and two computers ago and the pics are long gone...kickback into my forearm about 10m up a gum tree, much blood was a Corymbia citriodora...pale stem splashed in red very B grade horror movie like!!! The blood stopper was great very very effective went from fountain to trickle in 5 secs. The bandage comes attached so its a one action job slap it on wrap it up and elivate the injury....you're good to go, saved a lot of my blood. You can get them to attach to your harness (have seen guys with the little package) they are great. Second time was this year using a hedge trimmer in a bucket, the trimmer was resting on the edge of the bucket, trigger caught on the rail leaped into life and out of the bucket.....and yes genius here grabbed it without thinking trying to stop it hitting the ground...but of course grabbed the blade!!!!! Again very effective first aid product, whether big laceration or small its quick simple and very effective, gives you ample time to deal with any other site issues whilst the ambo's arrive. One more thing before i never speak of any of this again having the first aid kit at the job site not in the ute or truck 200m further away can be critical, make it a habit, make it someones responsibility on every job to have the kit in a location that everyone knows...not where its going to get wacked either!....first aid kit and rescue kit have to be on every site within reach. __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

5th June 2008, 04:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,734	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! I'm so tough, that to stop my bleeding I use a magnet! __________________ Arborist Training in Australia\| Your Free Helping Guide Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory .... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Tree Care, Consulting, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

5th June 2008, 05:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
kimtree Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: Kununurra WA Posts: 116	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! I found out the hard way that you not only need a first aid kit on the jobsite but up in the bucket as well![it was in the truck]cut the back of my left hand with a silky about 8 metres up in the nifty cleaning palms and had to descend with my hand elevated with blood pissing out every where,not good now i've got a small kit up in the basket

5th June 2008, 05:41 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,734	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! LOL, bloody handsaws are dangerous ... Also, tie a little string loop around the saw and your wrist, coz when you're going for it and sweating woops .... flying saw! __________________ Arborist Training in Australia\| Your Free Helping Guide Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory .... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Tree Care, Consulting, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

5th June 2008, 06:16 AM	#11 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,868	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! It was a weird one blocking out te vertical stems of a trident headed gum each one about 150-200mm diameter was going great guns then just above the saddle..where all three came together had to take some time repositioning as i remember the main stem leant away, it was a little awkward nothing really, got settled againhad my left arm up holding the stem nearest to my head, balanced, placed the running saw against the middle stem began to cut through (the block was about 750mm long) as I finished the cut saw going flat outtook my hand off the saw back onto the vertical stem, (yes one handing at that point) I deliberately used the chain and the bar to flick the block out and away from the fence below, as it moved through the air it tumbled the saw moved in a horizontal arc, the tumbling block and saw came into contact mid air....kickback flicked my sleeve..I thought nothing of it moved to the next position, then thought bugger my shirt got cut then, lifted the tron sleeve to reveal......splatter movie time! So really what went wrong, going too quick (reduced control), one handing (no control), using the saw to flick the block (no control) I have never made the same mistake again, though I have made many others! Snap cutting is quick simple and controlled, oddly enough doing multiple snap cuts on any job can be quite relaxing bit like meditation (well it was to me) Couple of other points I would like to make (then never speak of this again) I had a second line with me thankfully, because without it I would not have been able to descend under my own steam..spiking down with one arm would have taken an absolute age...I would have lost too much blood (it was raining down on those below) Descending in a calm but agitated state I attached the second line with a chocked on biner (yes I know but I was distracted!) distorted the biner attachment completely almost snapped it in two...never would have believed that to be possible but it was...have never done that since either..side loading biners will lead to failure under enough loading...screaming down 15m on a F8 was just such a loading. I was very very lucky the cut didn't severe any tendons, mainly because where i was cut they have turned into muscle sheaths, cut through most of them though. The blood stopper was magic, the doctors in the ER very skilled 3 yrs and 28 stitches later 18 internal and 10 external you'd hardly know it had happened. __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

5th June 2008, 06:47 AM	#12 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 7,734	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! Bugger me, I hope to never had to go through that! __________________ Arborist Training in Australia\| Your Free Helping Guide Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory .... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Tree Care, Consulting, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

8th June 2008, 12:27 AM	#13 (permalink)
defex Sappling Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 9	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! Do any of you guys have a teabag and if so what kind?

8th June 2008, 01:21 AM	#14 (permalink)
a_lopa Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 992	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! A workmate when i was lineclearing cut his calf muscle zoro style just missing the main arterie,lots of blood real quick i was more worried about it than him to start till his adrenaline ran out then he was fairly screaming. He was bending down cutting off a largish stump with a small saw,it kicked back. Outcomes after investigation were... 1.Should have been wearing chaps/cutproofs.(chaps were supplied)IMO i dont think they would have helped that much as it was back of leg. 2.Use larger saw. It sure made me very aware of how nasty the cuts are,I think stump cuts are one of the most hazardous situations. __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory

8th June 2008, 02:25 AM	#15 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,424	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! I picked up one of those QuickClot bloodstopper things. It's in a sealed foil pouch that fits nicely in the cargo pocket on the front of my saw chaps. And I keep on in the glovebox of the truck. Other than that there's a full EMT kit in the truck usually when I'm working, complete with 02 rig, bvm, and splints. Small med kit in my climbing gear bag, mostly just gauze rolls, 4x4's, and tape. While taking the EMT class I realized the stuff that'd be good to have on hand while far from town and stocked up on those items specifically. Hope I never have to use most of it, but it's nice to have. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

9th June 2008, 01:55 PM	#16 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dead twig Florida. Posts: 4,062	Re: Your First Aid Kit MUST HAVE! I always have duct tape on hand in my back pack.Hey it comes in handy for broken bones and handsaw injuries. __________________ Have your say join us today. I ship USA saws out of the USA "Everybody's hell on safety." G.f.beranek. www.atreestory.com