Katie at FoxMedics

They can locate your exact position as Agrimog stated with the GPS system. Something perhaps worth investing in David Wood, peace of mind that's for sure. Mobiles are great but with a PLB its maybe much simpler to activate than try and fiddle around unlocking your mobile and then finding a contact etc.. This link has a lovely confident chap explaining all about PLBs - [ame] [/ame]

I recently delivered a course and I was asked to discuss Personal Locator Beacons with the group and the benefits. There seemed to be a fear factor amongst the group that the PLB was to be used only when The Grim Reaper was staring down at them otherwise a hefty fine would be passed along to them.. I couldn't find any details of fines being issued to users as surely if you feel you need to use the PLB then you are in some sort of danger and in need of help. I was wondering if any of you guys carry a PLB or even your experiences of using one...

Fantastic work guys! It is amazing what can be achieved by good will and, I am sure, equal amounts of hard work. You are making a huge difference to many peoples lives, I hope your proud of yourselves..

Doctor or Walk In centre ASAP! If infection sets in (sounds like it may have) as you have already seen it makes a difference to your everyday work let alone everyday life. Pastes are ok if near the surface but if the area starts swelling as much as you have said then it needs looking at straight away in a medical context. For future reference if reddening near an area of splinter/insect bite starts to show then if concerned mark it with a pen and see if the reddening spreads. If it does then there may be a good chance of infection. Hope your thumb is on the road to full recovery very soon.

As well as teaching you lovely lot First Aid courses that are more appropriate to your work environment I am also a Paramedic and can tell you a million and one stories about ambulances not being able to make the 8 minutes... Hence the importance of learning direct and indirect pressure for haemorrhage. Personally I love life!

Fab. But for those that are a little older and maybe went to school prior to 1961 and hopefully happily retired, then best to get checked if fully up to date with the initial 5. Gp practice should have this information. Great response thank you all!!

All lots of interesting findings. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention explain that there is more likely chance to get Tetanus from a Minor Wound rather than a Larger wound due to the fact that a Larger wound would hopefully be treated in a clinical setting- Hosp/ Docs. It also mentions that after 10yrs of previous booster then your levels of protection are more than likely at a minimal level so a booster is recommended. Also the incubation period for tetanus bacteria to multiply in the body is 3 days onwards. If unsure speak to your doc, a red arm is easy enough to recover from not so sure about Tetanus.

I think if concerned then ask at your local Gp practice, they can access your records and will advise wether you need a booster. Perhaps best not to assume because it's bled the bacteria will not be present. I've seen plenty of infections, not tetanus thank goodness, from wounds that have bled. Any bacteria is nasty, who's to say dirt is not present in a bleeding wound? All depends on depth and type of wound and what caused wound and environment. Tones to take into consideration. But I think the NHS makes a great point of cleaning wounds thoroughly, I know your not always in an environment that has a basin and tap but even if you pour some bottled water over wound.. Prevention better than cure and all that.

Tetanus looks a very painful and horrible way to go that is for sure. Piece from NHS website-- Clostridium tetani spores can live for a long time outside the body and are widespread in the environment. They are commonly found in the manure of animals such as horses and cows, and in contaminated soil. After they enter the body, the tetanus bacteria quickly multiply and release tetanospasmin, a type of poison known as a neurotoxin. Tetanospasmin can slowly travel through nerves, until it reaches the spinal cord or brainstem. The neurotoxin blocks the control of the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brainstem that control the muscles, causing them to be overactive. This leads to the muscle spasm and muscle stiffness associated with tetanus. Cuts and wounds One of the most common ways the tetanus bacteria enter the body is through a cut or a puncture wound. Even minor puncture wounds, such as piercing your skin with the thorn of a rose, could allow the bacteria to enter your body. Tetanus bacteria thrive and breed in places where there is little or no oxygen. This is why the infection often occurs in deep cuts and wounds. To help prevent a tetanus infection developing, always ensure that cuts and wounds are thoroughly cleaned. (Ref-http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Tetanus/Pages/Causes.aspx)

This looks amazing! I will email you Dan about a trade stand please, may only be the Sunday though.. But otherwise will still visit, may leave taking part in any of the events for this year though!!

My next thread will be on the management of Tortoise injuries to human and beast!

The NHS website has a few facts about it. Its a bacteria which can be found in various substances main ones include soil, animal/human waste (poo in other words) and house dust! Causes stiffness and painful muscle spasm, difficulty swallowing and if untreated can be fatal. Its very rare for people to suffer from Tetanus now because of being VACINATED but in 2003 a poor lady passed away from Tetanus bacteria entering her system due to an accident in the garden where she fell on a bush and cut her face.

Ok thanks, just advise my patients normally to inquire about a booster if they injure themselves. Not everyone is aware of how many they have had at school and so a booster may not go a miss and at least you are sure then that you are up to date. But of course speak to your GP or Practice Nurse first. I have had more than 5 as have had a booster when travelling and seem to be intact still apart from being a little bonkers, but I think that's situation normal Thanks again though

If you have had all of your tetanus vaccinations at school- 5 in total- it states that this is you boosted up for life.. But, if you are unsure if you have had all of your vaccinations then it does not harm to go to your GP to have a booster AND if you have an embedded splinter or serious cut at work then I would recommend a visit to your GP again for a booster. Tortoise bite!! Wow this must be the lesser spotted breed of the 'Toothy Tortoise' or was it the one from Creature Comforts?!? I was bit by a donkey once when I was a wee girl, only a few years ago obviously. I gave it a hug goodbye and that, I believe, was him saying goodbye too. Thank goodness people do not say goodbye like that...

HSE First Aid courses advise us to teach management of minor wounds with splinters being part of this. I used to think how can I teach this to people that are in an industry were they are faced with major trauma rather than teeny splinter problems, but actually the reality is that Tetanus is the reason why. If you get a chance google signs and symptoms of tetanus, it certainly gives food for thought... So the question is are you up to date with your tetanus vaccination or are you as guilty as many of us in thinking that a tetanus vaccination at school was enough for life?

That's great news! I am glad that it has been thought provoking..

Wow that's a saying to remember!

Thanks this my first ever thread and first ever online forum, its great to get people thinking about things in more detail and also to hear other peoples views.

Tourniquets are used in the ambulance setting now so the word is spreading. I was in a team of specialist Paramedics called the Hazardous Area Response Team and all major trauma exercises involved the use of tourniquets, celox gauze and blast bandages. Once you have the training they are all easy to use and that's why I involve them in all of the Arborist First Aid courses I deliver, all invaluable pieces of kit... Like you say £15 is not a lot in the grand scheme of life.

Celox gauze definitely as the powder can easily blow into your eyes or be breathed in by mistake and absorb moisture as it is intended to do, far more controlled on the gauze. As for spinal injury, yes keep the person as still as possible not forgetting that it is suspected and if ACTUAL problems occur then they may take the lead over a suspected problem. As for an improvised tourniquet-PERFECT! No environment is that sterile in the pre hospital setting especially in your environment, as long as it stems the bleed then fantastic!

CAT tourniquets are priceless. Direct and indirect pressure are vital and if you have cut through a major artery you will not survive to climb down a tree even at speed. I would apply a tourniquet to prevent any major bleed, a tourniquet has to be left on a while to cause any damage to limbs and its the release of the tourniquet that would create this all of which should not be happening until the person is safely in the hands of a specialist team of people in the hospital environment and not in the pre hospital setting..

What about the use of a Tourniquet? I have completed various medical courses especially in pre hospital trauma medicine and the benefits of having a tourniquet on you at all times in your industry are life saving!! Definitely consider having one of these.. PLEASE! Less than a minute before being unconscious if you cut a major artery. These can also be applied by yourself and they can be easily stowed away in the pocket. Celox is also amazing. But yes treatment on the ground is better but initial treatment may need to be started in the tree especially if a major artery is involved.

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?