First Response to Farm Emergencies

by Jim Carrabba (published 12/1/2008 in Country Folks Grower)

If you came upon a coworker or family member that was injured in a farm emergency, how would you react? Would you know what to do? Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the country so it is imperative that people in agriculture take the time to be prepared in case the worst does happen. The proper response could make the difference and save the victim’s life. One of the best things that you can do is become trained and certified in first aid and CPR. Look for courses that offer this training in your area. In an emergency situation, you need to stay calm and try not to panic. Being trained in CPR and first aid will help you with this by preparing you for emergencies before they occur.

One of the first things to do is call 911. If there are other people with you, one person should notify 911 and keep one person near the scene. Cell phones or two-way radios can be life savers in these types of situations. The person making the emergency call will be asked questions about the incident from the 911 dispatcher. The dispatcher will ask for information about the emergency such as, the nature of the emergency, number of victims involved, condition of victims involved, etc. Never hang up until the dispatcher tells you to. If the incident is in a remote location such as a field away from the farmstead, you will have to give them precise directions to that area. It would be best to have someone posted near the road to direct the emergency vehicles to the scene. Here are the main points to consider in the event of an emergency on your farm:

Assess the Scene: Before you rush in to assist the victim, make sure the scene is safe first. Do not become another victim. First, assess what might have caused the incident. Look out for live wires or electrical hazards, toxic atmospheres, leaking gasoline, unstable equipment such as an overturned tractor, that could roll or fall onto you. If an animal was involved in the incident, is there a bull present, or a protective mother animal that might attack the would-be rescuer? If a tractor is involved and is still running, shut off the engine. Do not move the victim, unless they are in immediate danger such as a fire that breaks out.

Check the Victim’s Airway: If the scene is safe and you are able to reach the victim, check to see if they are breathing. Verbally ask them if they are okay and to see if they are conscious. Check their mouth and throat for blockages. If they are still not breathing, you must start CPR as soon as possible. A victim may be trapped so that they are suffocated and their lungs cannot expand such as having a tractor rolled onto them, or their clothing is wrapped tight by becoming entangled in machinery. If they are pinned to the ground under a tractor, you might be able to dig some dirt from under them to open up some space so they can breathe. If you attempt to do this, make sure you will not cause the tractor to roll further onto the victim or yourself. If they are tightly wound up in wrapped clothing, you might be able to cut the clothing away. Keep in mind that if the tightly wrapped clothing is not restricting breathing, it may be stopping blood flow from injured body parts.

Control Bleeding: The best way to control bleeding is to put direct pressure on the wound and elevate it above the heart if possible. If this does not stop the bleeding, your next alternative is to press on the victims pressure points. Pressure points are areas on the body where an artery runs close to the skin surface. You can slow blood loss by pushing on the pressure point against the bone. The last resort in controlling bleeding would be to apply a tourniquet but this should only be done if all other attempts at stopping the bleeding have failed. If an amputation has occurred, wrap the amputated body part in a moist towel. Keep it on ice, but do not freeze it.

Waiting for Help to Arrive: Keep the victim still and as comfortable as possible while waiting for emergency services to arrive. Unless the victim is in immediate danger, you can cause more damage to them by trying to move them or extricate them from an entanglement. If you have no choice and must move the victim, keep the midline of their body straight and pull in a direction that is in a straight line with the victim’s spine. Do not give the victim any food or water. Remember to try to remain calm and comfort the victim as much as possible.

Be prepared to respond to emergencies before they happen. Take a first aid and CPR course. Make sure there are well stocked first aid kits in tractors, trucks, and buildings. It is also a good idea to have fully charged fire extinguishers on tractors, vehicles and in buildings. For more information on farm emergency response planning, please contact us. NYCAMH is able to provide safety training at no cost to agricultural operations in New York. If you would like to schedule an on-farm safety training session, or a farm safety survey, contact me at 800-343-7527, ext 239 or e-mail me at jcarrabba@nycamh.com. NYCAMH, a program of Bassett Healthcare, is enhancing agricultural and rural health by preventing and treating occupational injury and illness.