First-aid kit checklist: How to be prepared for incidents on the farm

GERING, Neb. — First-aid knowledge can save lives — especially in rural areas where it takes emergency crews extra time to reach the scene.

Robby Rhembrandt, paramedic and critical care educator, was a featured guest on the Talking Total Farmer Health podcast from AgriSafe.

Preparing for traumatic injuries starts at home, with a simple conversation, Rhembrandt said.

“Most farms and ranches are family operations,” he said. “It’s sitting down and saying, ‘OK, what happens if we’re 20 miles north of the house and we’re cutting hay and something happens?’ Or, ‘what happens if I’m not back by dark?’

“It’s putting yourself into the perspective that it could happen to you or your family. Have those conversations early.”

Early and clear communication with 911 dispatchers is critical. In case of an emergency, farmers should call as soon as possible and be prepared with location and situation details.

“Know how to pull up coordinates on your phone,” Rhembrandt said. “If you have a large property, number your gates or mailboxes — something simple to help them narrow down your location.”

He advised farmers take first aid and CPR classes through local fire departments or hospitals.

It’s also a good idea to keep first aid kits on the farm and in vehicles.

“Bleeding control is a top priority,” Rhembrandt said. “Having clean gauze, trauma bandages and tourniquets will save lives.”

First Aid Kit Checklist

• First aid manual

• Sterile first aid dressings in sealed envelopes, variety of sizes

• Two trauma dressings, for covering large areas

• Small, sterile adhesive compresses in sealed envelopes

• Roller bandages and 1-inch, 2-inch and 6-inch cling bandages

• Rolls of adhesive tape in assorted widths to hold dressings in place

• Triangle bandages to use as slings or as coverings over large dressings

• Antiseptic wash

• Tongue depressors

• Bandage scissors and heavy-duty scissors to cut clothing

• Tweezers to remove insect stingers or small splinters

• Splints that are 1/4-inch thick by 3 inches wide by 12 to 15 inches long for splinting broken arms and legs

• Sterile saline solution

• Safety pins

• Ice packs — chemical ice bags — to reduce swelling

• A pocket mask for resuscitation

• Three small packages of sugar for individuals with diabetes

• Disposable rubber gloves and eye goggles

• An emergency blanket

• Flashlight or headlamp, plus extra batteries

• Rubber gloves