Did you know that if someone gets their arm stuck in a chipper you mustn't switch it off?  Well, I do ......... now!

The Forestry First Aid course run by Woodnet at the Woodland Enterprise Centre in Flimwell was excellent. Andy Randall, who led the session, is an ex-forestry man, who is a paramedic as well as a trainer and he really knows his stuff. He is also rather gruesome, but then, some injuries that can happen in woodlands are.

We covered CPR, Recovery Position, drowning, burns, bleeding, breaks and allergies. For anyone working in the forestry world, the course is an important one to do in terms of health and safety. Andy was helpful in his information about rules and regulations, first aid kits and so much more!I went on the course because my husband is using a chainsaw in the wood - and I would say it is one the most important courses I could go on.

I learnt some key things.If you are using power tools, like a chainsaw, ensure that you have an “army field dressing” or two available. The wound dressings that come with the chainsaw trousers, or in the average first aid kit are nowhere near effective enough for a major wound ( - although, of course, as you are all wearing all the safety gear you should never need it!!)

Paramedic scissors are useful too, as the average pair won't cut through safety clothes.  Make sure you have the postcode, or grid reference for your location - makes it much easier for help to arrive. A phone of course is useful there too!

I highly recommend this course, and I hope I never have to use what I have learnt.
 
By the way, you need to reverse the chipper to remove the limb!