To climb or not to climb with a First Aid Bag? That is the question....

[Katie at FoxMedics]

Katie at FoxMedics

 

 

 

 

1 Minute Ago - permalink

Katie at FoxMedics

I teach Specialist Arborist First Aid courses which involve the use of various trauma management skills. The courses have various work based scenarios set in the Arborist environment and I have found that all of the First Aid bags that are recommended for Arborists to climb with are cumbersome and also the contents- plasters fit for a bleeding ladybird, face shield, non alcohol wipe and nitrile gloves- are not the most appropriate for any medical management at height. It seems that, rightly or wrongly, some arborists are less inclined to climb with them attached. I advise the use of trauma management equipment and then treat on the ground. I just wondered how others felt about First Aid bags and their experiences?

[TIMON]

The only things I think I would use in my first aid (and I hope I never have to, obviously) are large plasters for silky saw cuts (so that I could continue working) and the large wound dressings and the celox granules (which didn't even come with the kit!) I think anything else would get thrown out of the way very quickly in the event of an emergency.

[IVECOKID]

Celox and Bandages is all I have in my little red pouch permanently attached too my harness .

Girlie plasters etc are in the vans first aid box along with nail clippers .

 

Ste

[fen01]

I don't climb with a first aid kit. I think getting on the ground ASAP is critical to give first aid. The first principle of first aid is to remove the casualty from danger...

 

With regards to what you need on the ground, all the normal stuff in the HSE first aid kits to keep you going or use at the end of the day after you've pushed through. And a trauma kit - CAT, celox, loads of bandages (I've found that you run out of material to pack wounds before you run out of modern technical equipment, once had to use bandage wrappers as well as bandages to pack a large wound) and casualty packaging kit to prep for casevac. Oh and adequate realistic training.

[IVECOKID]

I don't climb with a first aid kit. I think getting on the ground ASAP is critical to give first aid. The first principle of first aid is to remove the casualty from danger...

 

With regards to what you need on the ground, all the normal stuff in the HSE first aid kits to keep you going or use at the end of the day after you've pushed through. And a trauma kit - CAT, celox, loads of bandages (I've found that you run out of material to pack wounds before you run out of modern technical equipment, once had to use bandage wrappers as well as bandages to pack a large wound) and casualty packaging kit to prep for casevac. Oh and adequate realistic training.

 

 

Totally agree with getting on the ground asap but having some kit with you will help or help others who are injured while someone is scrambling around in van looking for a first aid kit .

 

Ste

[Mark Bolam]

Decent first aid kit in the truck, bandages and tampax are probably the only things worth having in a harness kit.

 

 

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[woodyguy]

A tourniquet is probably the most vital.

[John Shutler]

Israel bandage and CAT tourniquet in my pocket as have my guys. First aid kit with more of the same in the trucks

 

 

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[fen01]

First aid kit in truck or allocated and briefed place. I did think of keeping a CAT on my when climbing but can't see me applying it in the air. I get the point of its on you it quicker for the first aider to find and apply it.

[Andrew Gale]

Lets face it, the FA kits off the shelf are pants, and as has been said, removing the contents and adding fit for purpose materials is what counts.

 

My guys have army field dressings in their trouser hip pocket (as well as harness FA kits) and although I agree ref getting the casualty to the ground before administering first aid, having a dressing that can be administered by the rescuer whilst in the crown is paramount.