Emergency Preparedness Is Essential, Farm Safety Specialist Says

"Help, help! Dad's caught in the auger!" It’s the most chilling and unnerving cry to be heard on a farm and one that often stops everyone in their tracks, wondering what to do. That’s when planning comes into play, possibly saving precious minutes and lives, according to an agricultural safety specialist at North Dakota State University.

"The first hour -- the golden hour -- is important time for first aid," says George Maher of the NDSU Extension Service. "It is a terrible experience to spend that time agonizing over what to do. It does not help the victim and actually can add to the risk."

Maher says there is no excuse for a victim of an agricultural injury to suffer in pain because there is no one available who knows what to do, right away. "Every farm needs to have at least two individuals who are trained in first aid and CPR," he says. "Family members who are trained in first aid and CPR can improve the victim's chances of survival and speed the recovery. Recovery from an agricultural injury can be much easier if quality treatment is given to the victim as soon as possible in the first hour after the accident."

Knowing what to do in the case of a farm injury is especially important because of the time it may take for rescue squads to reach victims in remote rural areas," Maher says.

"Don’t believe that an accident can’t happen on your farm," Maher says. "Because the possibility always exists. When a course is offered locally in first aid and CPR, several family members should take it."

First aid and CPR courses are offered frequently across the state. Check local newspapers or ask local rescue personnel about such courses. Most courses are offered at a low cost and some are free. "Either way, courses are an excellent opportunity to gain the needed skills. CPR training needs frequent updating and refreshing," Maher says. "Even if you took a course several years ago you still need the latest training."

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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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