On a recent outing, I had an incident which raised a couple of points in my mind, and I thought I would share them.
The background.
I have been using cutting tools for years, instructing in their use on a regular basis.
I am also a Red Cross 4 day first aider
I was attending a Scout camp recently which was in a woodland criss crossed with loads of tracks. the wind was up and a commonly used track was overhung by a large dead "Silver Birch" around 10" in diameter.
We decided the safest option, as closing the path was not really feasable, was to chop the tree down. Again this is something I have done many many times.
So out came the double bit felling axe and off me and a collegue went.
Now for the bit that will make you cringe!
About 1/3 of the way through the trunk, as the tree was ready to fall the blade glanced out of the tree, straight through my shoe and into my toe.
The shoes where a heavy cross trainer with a strong rubber last at the front.
Initially there was no pain, just a strange warm feeling...................................
The thoughts
I always preach that leather boots, ideally steel toe caps, should be worn when using cutting tools for some reason on this occassion I did not follow my own advice.
1) Leather boots would not have stopped this injury, i would think the rubber on my shoe was more cut resistant.
2) A steel toe would have stopped this injury but how many of us walk into wilderness areas with steel toe boots?
A serious injury alone in a remote(ish) situation would easily spell death!
1) As I was performing a physically demanding activity and had a raised heart rate, the amount and rate of blood leaving my body was large.
Some of us are first aiders, some are not, it is commonly accepted that you should have a FAK to hand when using cutting tools, (our group kit was about 100m away). this is all well and good.
1) One thing that struck me "Self Administering First Aid" especially in a hard to reach place on your body is not easy and not commonly taught, it is worth practicing! (My wife had to apply the bandages in the end as my attempts where of no use
2) Check your Kit contents. (Dont trust others to do it) I had to open 2 kits to find anything other then insect wipes and small plasters.
OH yes the toe...................
On removing my shoe my toe was still firmly attached to my foot, but the axe had cut to the bone leaving a large gash which, though at the time was painless, hurts like hell now!
Parting Thought
Despite experiance and care in use, from time to time a cutting tool will bite you, with proper technique the damage will be minimal and serve as a reminder, Just BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH IT!
The background.
I have been using cutting tools for years, instructing in their use on a regular basis.
I am also a Red Cross 4 day first aider
I was attending a Scout camp recently which was in a woodland criss crossed with loads of tracks. the wind was up and a commonly used track was overhung by a large dead "Silver Birch" around 10" in diameter.
We decided the safest option, as closing the path was not really feasable, was to chop the tree down. Again this is something I have done many many times.
So out came the double bit felling axe and off me and a collegue went.
Now for the bit that will make you cringe!
About 1/3 of the way through the trunk, as the tree was ready to fall the blade glanced out of the tree, straight through my shoe and into my toe.
The shoes where a heavy cross trainer with a strong rubber last at the front.
Initially there was no pain, just a strange warm feeling...................................
The thoughts
I always preach that leather boots, ideally steel toe caps, should be worn when using cutting tools for some reason on this occassion I did not follow my own advice.
1) Leather boots would not have stopped this injury, i would think the rubber on my shoe was more cut resistant.
2) A steel toe would have stopped this injury but how many of us walk into wilderness areas with steel toe boots?
A serious injury alone in a remote(ish) situation would easily spell death!
1) As I was performing a physically demanding activity and had a raised heart rate, the amount and rate of blood leaving my body was large.
Some of us are first aiders, some are not, it is commonly accepted that you should have a FAK to hand when using cutting tools, (our group kit was about 100m away). this is all well and good.
1) One thing that struck me "Self Administering First Aid" especially in a hard to reach place on your body is not easy and not commonly taught, it is worth practicing! (My wife had to apply the bandages in the end as my attempts where of no use
2) Check your Kit contents. (Dont trust others to do it) I had to open 2 kits to find anything other then insect wipes and small plasters.
OH yes the toe...................
On removing my shoe my toe was still firmly attached to my foot, but the axe had cut to the bone leaving a large gash which, though at the time was painless, hurts like hell now!
Parting Thought
Despite experiance and care in use, from time to time a cutting tool will bite you, with proper technique the damage will be minimal and serve as a reminder, Just BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH IT!
