First Aid and Safety stuff you actually carry trac

[Buckie]

hello everyone. I am a tractor dweb and just bought a new JD 2210. (my first ever tractor). I am putting together a first aid/safety kit for carrying on my tractor and looking for wisdom and experienced guidance. Fire extinguisher? bug spray? band-aids? signaling device? (I am almost always working alone, isolated, and not within shouting distance of anybody) something to stop heavy bleeding quickly?
what else? spare ball cap, safety glasses?
there are dense woods on my property, complete with all kinds of nasty critters such as japanese hornets, spiders, and assorted snakes.
my tool box will be separate.

 

[GerardC]

Some KOTEX pads and a TRACFONE. These items should also be added. Gerard

 

[Soundguy]

On all my tractors that actually get 'used' I carry a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, basic tool kit, and my cell phone.

Here's some advice. add a piece of masking tape to the end of the fire extinguisher. Nothing massive.. just enough to keep dirt daubers out. Check it every now and then too. First aid kits are now available with blood stop powder.. but.. as I understand it.. it is for surface and veinous cuts. If you have an aterial cut.. . pressure , a cell phone, and medical help are gonna be needed quickly... emphasis on pressure on the wound.. etc. Use your shirt.. socks.. anything you have to.. seat cover.. etc.

I'm sure there's more things to carry.. but that's what I carry. Oh yeah.. a water jug too! and extra lynch pins....

Soundguy

 

[SkyPup]

I duct taped a FOGHORN to the ROPS next to me so in case of emergency, when I blow it, everyone I know within 1 mile (about 6 people) if they hear it will come knowing that sound means a disaster.

One time I backed into a tree limb and it scared the living daylights out of me when it accidentally went off right next to my head... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif However, within two minutes I had two of my neighbors coming from either direction across the field in the cold rain to help me out.

Having a cell phone or a walkie-talkie is pretty helpful, and I've had to use my pistol a couple of times on rattlers and cottonmouths too. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jeff_jeff]

I carry a military field dressing - its small, cheap, and designed as emergency treatment for most types of major injuries. I also keep one stapled to the wall of my shop, and in each of the cars, etc.

They only cost a buck or two at surplus stores, or more on the net:

http://www.conterra-inc.com/product_info.php?products_id=161

instructions on use:

http://basic.armystudyguide.com/first_aid/apply_Field_dressing.htm

 

[Buckie]

the fog/air horn on the ROPS is an excellent idea! and, so are all the rest. I don't want to be overly concerned and carry things I will never need, but it sure is a sobering thought when you are by yourself and suddenly realize that you could get major hurt.....and nobody would know, for a long time. we had a fellow in my part of the county who was stung many times by a swarm of japanese hornets when he mowed/tilled over a pile of brush where they were congregated. He almost did not make it. He was wearing a whistle around his neck and was able to summon aid.

 

[LarryD]

Well if you're going to be way outside earshot, look into a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Its going to alert the troops /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Rescue Beacons

 

[slydog]

From my experience as a surgical tech for 6 years, I have a few recommendations. Ditto on the Kotex pads! They have multiple uses, plus a good roll of at least 1" cloth bandage tape (duct tape works well too in a pinch). Pressure on a wound with a pad and tape will help stop bleeding and protect from dirt. You can make an eye patch or bandage easily with a pad and tape.

A small bottle of betadine solution (if you are not allergic to iodine!) Betadine is wonderful stuff for killing germs, and that is why it is widely used as surgical prep, and for cleaning wounds. A quart bottle of water. Good for irrigating wounds, eyes, treating dehydration, heat stroke etc.

If your allergic to stings..definitely keep an Epinephrine Pen in your kit! Also, a package of benadry pills (antihistamine) to help offset alergic reactions.

I would guess that most non lethal accidents involving tractors involve either crushing, or dismembering/mangling type injuries. That being the case, I would definitely recommend some type of tourniquet material...3 foot of 3/8" rope looped and tied to a 1 foot 1/2 inch dowel. Something you can place and tighten with one hand if needed. Applied quickly enough, it could save your life from loss of blood.

And as others have stated, a horn in a can, and a cell phone.
Bandaids, for small cuts, scrapes blisters. I'd probably include a small tube of neo-sporin, or bacitracin ointment.

All of the above can be packed pretty compactly. If you can't provide enough first aid with the above articles, you probably need a paramedic anyway!

Even if I were by myself, I would at least check in with a neighbor and have them come looking if I didn't check in with them at a certain time. Always let somebody know where you will be and that you will be alone. You don't wanna spend two days dying under a tractor wheel back in the woods.

I didn't really "grow up on the farm", but I personally know 3 people who were found dead many hours later either crushed under a tractor, or caught in machinery. Especially when alone, turn it off, let it wind to a stop, and set the brake or gears before leaving the seat!

 

[Buckie]

You bet. great suggestions and I will follow them, for sure. One person told me that he wears a very loud whistle around his neck, all the time, whenever he is working alone, tractoring, etc...........just in case he gets hurt and can't manage to get to his kit or his other signaling device.

 

[RalphVa]

I was working down below (100' down slope) in the garden the other day while wife was in house because we had some heating and AC guys doing work. Seems they wanted to see me before they left. Guess I need to start carrying my walky talky. That means turning both of them on while I'm down there. Decided it might be a good idea for me to take one on my daily (nude) walks, too. Think maybe I should buy some rechargeable batteries for them, and a charger.

Not sure you need that much else on the tractor. There's such a thing as toting around too much stuff. Have first aid kits in all 3 vehicles that have never been used. One's 22 years old now. Diesel doesn't ignite too readily. The fire extinguisher is kinda overkill.

Ralph