A serious accident

[CJM]

I witnessed and attended a serious accident around a week ago it was horrific the lad is alive but in a bad way (similar to the other accident thread) but it wasn't bloody. I really don't want to delve into the accident.

I just need advice and help on how to cope with it because in a nutshell it's done my head up I've lost 10 years of confidence and if I'm doing something else and I hear branches drop I get a little jumpy I've never been like this and it's so frustrating. I know it's only a short space of time since the accident, but I'm thinking of doing something else because I can't go on like it is. Anyone have any kind of experience dealing with a serious incident with one of your mates?

[Johny Walker]

I witnessed and attended a serious accident around a week ago it was horrific the lad is alive but in a bad way (similar to the other accident thread) but it wasn't bloody. I really don't want to delve into the accident.

I just need advice and help on how to cope with it because in a nutshell it's done my head up I've lost 10 years of confidence and if I'm doing something else and I hear branches drop I get a little jumpy I've never been like this and it's so frustrating. I know it's only a short space of time since the accident, but I'm thinking of doing something else because I can't go on like it is. Anyone have any kind of experience dealing with a serious incident with one of your mates?

 

was this the amey incident ??

[Mortimer Firewood]

I've witnessed two very serious accidents when I was involved in steel erection the first time it took 6 months for me to regain my confidence in the air and 12 months to fully come to terms with it. The second was a family member who all though he survived was left in a very bad way. I put all my time into helping him and his family get though it. He went onto retrain and works as a health and safety advisor. After the second incident I never returned to the industry much of that was due to the way the investigation into the accident was conducted and the firm employing us turning there back on us.

It was a blessing in disguise as I went on to start my own landscaping firm which I get more satisfaction out of.

Don't be a typical bloke and bottle it up or start spending more time in the pub, go see your GP and explain how you feel and see what he has to offer. It's the same with any traumatic event the more you talk about it the easier it is to get your head round.

[agrimog]

make an apointment with your GP as soon as possible, it is very possible you are suffering from delayed shock, you need to see, and talk to a healthcare proffesionall who understands these kind of things. I know it sound stupid and not the "manly" thing to do, but it is the right thing to do

[tree-fancier123]

I'm only just getting into heavier tree cutting - I knew of tree workers with injuries and near misses, but some of the threads on here have really brought it home.

 

Many motorbike racers die doing the Isle of Man TT, so it's not that bad tree cutting.

 

I don't think it matters at all if you decide to do something else, so many great professions out there, all a bit risky, even the hansome porn stars sometimes go down with hiv.

[gand]

I have to agree with agrimog. It's either get sorted medically or crack on. Other than that it might be time to give up if you can't get over it. I've seen people with shattered hips and are still climbing. I don't know the in's and out's of the accident, but I know it's not a good thing to see!

[Jcarbor]

Hi CJM, as others have stated if it's causing you stress and effecting your day to day function then go to your Gp. I know first hand about the effects of stress having spent the best part of my working life as a Paramedic. If you have a partner or a close friend discuss it with them, that may help. Don't bottle it up and soldier on.

[Rob D]

Putting a thread up on here is a good start to recovering and getting over this. It's natural to be shaken up. Probably one of the best things you can do is be open about it, talk about it and work through it. Bottling things up, stiff upper lip and thinking it'll be fine can lead to problems.

 

 

Use the resources around you - see the GP see what he/she says. Speak to close friends and family. Give yourself positive re inforcement as you work ie. 'I've done this fine for 10 years, I know what I'm doing etc.'

 

 

If you're mind is wandering while you work worrying about what may happen prompt yourself back to the present with 'ok I need to focus on the job at hand'.

 

 

Don't beat yourself up about it - it happens to all of us at one time or another. If you can work through it you will find your confidence will be greater than when it was before.

[MattyF]

Here is my speaking bollox advice mate , It's the weekend get drunk and see how you feel Monday, maybe take some time off and do some thing you enjoy out side of tree work... Probably not the best advice but if tree works in your blood you won't be able to do anything else... I've tried about 11 years ago after doing ten years in the industry and witnessing a succession of bad accidents and after a month I was itching like mad to get back in it and came in back stronger.

I know plenty who have moved on and all didn't regret it though and found jobs that didn't involve so much stress,hard work or weather elements !, I was told statistics in the industry were around 5 years for a climber before they become burnt out or don't want to do it and I've worked with a lot of people who after time didn't want to be there and it was not good for the crew and probably led to more accidents happening. Either way I can say in time it won't haunt you in the way it does now and you definitely will think twice about being in certain situations if that's good or bad as I don't know the circumstances involving your crew.

All the best.

[the village idiot]

Putting a thread up on here is a good start to recovering and getting over this. It's natural to be shaken up. Probably one of the best things you can do is be open about it, talk about it and work through it. Bottling things up, stiff upper lip and thinking it'll be fine can lead to problems.

 

 

Use the resources around you - see the GP see what he/she says. Speak to close friends and family. Give yourself positive re inforcement as you work ie. 'I've done this fine for 10 years, I know what I'm doing etc.'

 

 

If you're mind is wandering while you work worrying about what may happen prompt yourself back to the present with 'ok I need to focus on the job at hand'.

 

 

Don't beat yourself up about it - it happens to all of us at one time or another. If you can work through it you will find your confidence will be greater than when it was before.

 

 

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