Safety related PSA [Archive] - Chronicle Forums

JSwan

Oct. 9, 2009, 03:36 PM

Hey folks -

Sometimes your fellow hunters have to get your horse home for you. It would be really super if you left instructions in your rig. Perhaps in the tow vehicle - and in big letters write - In Case of Emergency.

Maybe leave directions to your barn, vet's number, what field to put the horse in, contact info for caretaker/BO/BM/ trustworthy neighbor - things like that.

And then let a few folks know that you've got that info easily accessible.
Just in case someone has to drive your rig home, drive your rig to their place, your horse needs a vet, etc.

It's nice to have emergency contact info on your person - but if you're injured and taken away - it's not helpful to those left behind holding your horse.

stryder

Oct. 9, 2009, 03:52 PM

wow. This is great advice for anyone hauling alone anywhere.

naters

Oct. 9, 2009, 04:07 PM

wow. This is great advice for anyone hauling alone anywhere.

Im sure folks think I am paraniod, but when I bought my trailer, I printed all the pertinent emergency information out and taped it on to the wall of my horse trailer on the inside, with red duct tape around.

hey101

Oct. 9, 2009, 04:25 PM

wow. This is great advice for anyone hauling alone anywhere.

Ditto. Hopefully this is precautionary advice and not reactionary, first-hand advice JSwan.

Very timely as I will soon be embarking on my first season of hunting (:D) and as of yet, do not really know anyone well at all- and they certainly don't know where I live, etc.

Thanks for the idea!

RAyers

Oct. 9, 2009, 05:33 PM

USRider, in their membership kit, has a sticker that is a list of contact information including vets etc. and another sticker to place outside the trailer stating "Emergency Contact Information Inside." I have the contact information sticker on the inside of my trailer door (it even includes where to look for pertinent information in my desk at home). I list 3 different contacts as well.

Sadly, I don't leave directions to the barn because they all would start out with, "Get to Arvada Colorado...." And while there are really nice folks out there, I'm just not sure any want to take a 15 hour drive. ;)

Reed

JSwan

Oct. 9, 2009, 09:25 PM

Ditto. Hopefully this is precautionary advice and not reactionary, first-hand advice JSwan.
Thanks for the idea!

There was an incident but I wasn't the one injured. Folks seem to be pretty good about keeping contact info on their person - but it would be nice to leave something behind for everyone standing at your trailer wondering what to do with your horse.

Things like Road ID and other things are super. The form US Rider has available for download is fantastic, too. Someone may know where you live but not where you board your horse, and if they board too they may not be able to accommodate your horse. Just try and think of what someone might need to make sure your horse gets home and bedded down safely - and who to alert that the horse is taken care of.

Anything that can help folks get your horse home safe and sound. Family members might not know anything about horses, how to drive the rig, be flying in and not available immediately, etc.

I'd also like to see more hunters taking at least ARC basic first aid - but this past summer no one seemed interested when I asked around (again). I've always found that surprising considering how far most of us are from any help.

I would be happy to drive many many miles to see that RAyers's horse was safe and sound - but he'd never get that horse back from me!!!! :D

LexInVA

Oct. 9, 2009, 09:31 PM

This message brought to you by JSwan For A Better America.

JSwan

Oct. 9, 2009, 09:33 PM

This message brought to you by JSwan For A Better America.

Does this mean I get a Nobel Prize!?

LexInVA

Oct. 9, 2009, 10:00 PM

Yes, but you'll have to make a speech and make lofty promises to bring equality to the hunt fields and low-cost public alternatives to expensive private hunt group memberships.

Hunter's Rest

Oct. 10, 2009, 08:44 AM

JSwan

Oct. 10, 2009, 09:21 AM

I would be ALL OVER a first aid for foxhunters course. Something simple, a couple hours, and that includes lunch and-or cocktail hour, but, seriously, my mom and I have considered this many times, how important it is to learn the most basic 'look into the fallen rider's eyes - if they are dilated then xxxxx, if they are rolling backwards then xxxx' etc. I believe a nurse or EMT could do the lesson pretty easily. Maybe, JSwan, this is something to set up thru the area hunts or riding clubs during January/slow time. I'd help organize if someone else would assist.

Really????? I put out feelers for an American Red Cross course for local foxhunters and trail riders and didn't get any response. I chose ARC because of the certifications available and they have materials the person can take home and use as a reference.

We need a facility to have a class - which is not a big deal - there are plenty to be had around here. Basic first aid and CPR. If folks were interested we could go further as a group or on our own.

I was thinking that local riding instructors, BO's/BM's, trail riders, foxhunters, etc. would be interested but Lordy - everyone says they are too busy. But Jan/Fed would be perfect!

Call me. I'm serious about this. I didn't hunt this am and am home most of the day.

We can do a potluck and drinkypoos and I'll supply the meat. I'm thinking a ham and roast beef?

ETA - just checked the classes and they also have first aid for pets, too. So if folks were interested in that they could sign up for an afternoon session or something. Lots of options.

IFG

Oct. 10, 2009, 09:59 AM

whicker

Oct. 10, 2009, 12:13 PM

Hi, JSwan and Hunter's Rest,

I want be part of this project, too. I will pm you. Would you please cross post this to the new disabilities forum? Lots of riders are out on trails and doing things that might surprise you. Including foxhunting...:winkgrin:

Mach Two

Oct. 10, 2009, 03:21 PM

This is great!
In addition to the "where to take my horse, what to do with him, I also suggest:
A laminated card attached to your tack, or saddle or bridle tag on your tack that has your cell phone number, in case you are separated from your horse, and your horse is out in the wild world "lost"
The average passer-by who finds a lost horse wearing tack may not say "This looks like foxhunting tack, so this horse must have gotten away from someone hunting, since it's Saturday afternoon, and most hunts hunt on Saturday...so I'll find out who, with the local hunt might have lost a horse, and see that they get this horse back"

It's more like "Yeah, I seen a horse what was wearin' one of them worthless postage stamp saddles runnin through the woods. Wisht I coulda caught it for my kids, they's been wantin' a horse"

Mudroom

Oct. 10, 2009, 04:45 PM

about 5 years or so ago the MFHA circulated an article called "Rider Down-An Emergency Medicine Guide for First Responders in The Hunt Field". It was written by Karen McKay, a member of Fairfax Hunt who is also a firefighter/EMT.

It is a very good article with real world, practical advice.

Here is a link to it.

http://www.virginiahorsecouncil.org/downloads/brochures/Rider-Down_Emergency-Guide.pdf

asb_own_me

Oct. 10, 2009, 06:14 PM

Excellent idea about posting ICE info in your horse trailer. I have a laminated ICE sheet in my barn, but not in the trailer. It'll be in there tomorrow!

LexInVA

Oct. 10, 2009, 08:32 PM

A "First Aid for Foxhunters" seminar wouldn't be that hard to throw together on the fly. If you (My Homeys JSwan and Miss Betsy Parker) can get a decent sized group together (maybe 20-30 folks perhaps?), it's just a matter of coordinating with the National Capital Area Red Cross organization so they can send someone out to instruct or they can perhaps roll something out for the locals in general at the Middleburg Community Center. Unfortunately, the Loudoun County chapter is no longer offering anything due to the economy. The next Sport Safety Training (Adult and Child CPR/Automatic External Defibrilator/Sports First Aid) class is next month here in Fairfax on the 7th (Saturday) from 9 AM to 7 PM in case anyone is interested in signing up. There are plenty of restaurants nearby so you could make a social event out of it.

Ajierene

Oct. 11, 2009, 09:24 AM

Lex - talk to your local Red Cross. If you or the hunt make a donation that is earmarked for education, they may be able to work something out.

Most people are not aware of how their donation effects the Red Cross, as well as which red cross. Some people donate to the 'American Red Cross' in DC, not realizing that it goes into the big pot at the 'headquarters' and never gets to the local Red Cross. This is fine if it is alright with you, but if you want to donate to your local Red Cross, you need to donate to the local office, with the name of your Local Red Cross written on the check. The 'headquarters' and the local Red Cross offices are not connected in a way in which the headquarters governs anything the local offices do, neither do they ever disperse money. The headquarters handles lobbying for legislation and getting the 'big money' for large national disasters that the local office is not equipped to handle.

The local offices work autonomously to raise funds and work with the local residents. They are not governed by any 'higher' organization.

Also, if you write in the memo line of your check something specific, such as 'disaster' or 'education', the Red Cross is obligated to put that money in that specific pot. If you do not, they can put it in any pot - including paying the people that work at the office, putting together benefit events or decorating the office - wherever they deem it would be best.

Also, the Red Cross relies on Volunteers to teach first aid and cpr classes, so the reason may be that they are short on volunteers, not funds - and that is something anyone can help with.

Mudroom

Oct. 11, 2009, 11:47 AM

Please note at the end of her "Rider Down" article Karen McKay offers to organize clinics for riders. For those of you that are fortunate to be near her (Loudon County) I would think she would be an excellent resource.

Bogie

Oct. 11, 2009, 05:02 PM

Great advice! I'm going to be putting that info in my trailer.

I usually trailer with someone, so at least there are two of us. One thing I always remember to do is tell my friend where I hid the keys!

JSwan

Oct. 12, 2009, 08:17 AM

Mudroom - thank you for pointing out that she gives clinics. Her piece was excellent.

I had hung my hat on an ARC course - but after going through chapter websites it looks like it might be difficult to reach all the foxhunters interested - without them having to drive a great distance.

Ajierene - thanks for reminding folks that they can restrict their gifts to a particular field office or overseas station.

We have a few choices depending on what our personal goal is (if we want or need a certification, or want advanced training).

An informal educational course, ARC courses, or wilderness survival courses. There is an ARC chapter that does offer a "survival" type course geared towards those far from help and without first aid supplies handy. There are also similar courses offered by outdoor organizations (survival).

Also - you can take the ARC courses on-line, but you have to then attend a course to be tested if you want your certification. So that is an option for those with scheduling conflicts or who prefer home study.

Can y'all do be a great favor and let me know what your preferences are? Perhaps give me a sense of how much time you can spare, if you prefer day or evening or weekend, what your budget is, if you'd like or need certification, and your general location (closest city/town). A PM is fine.

This isn't limited to foxhunters. I'm just trying to figure out what sort of class is going to appeal to sportsmen or outdoor enthusiasts. And if I can say we've got large groups of people trainers may be more willing to travel a bit farther to teach us, or I may be able to arrange discounts.

Anyway - send me a pm or reply here - and thanks for all the feedback and suggestions.

wateryglen

Oct. 12, 2009, 08:46 AM

I'm an RN and would be glad to help or speak or whatever. I bet we could get Tri County feeds in Marshall to let us use their meeting room. Or the Fauquier Hospital? I'm CERTAIN I could get some equestrian oriented docs to speak too. My particular interest is head injuries.
But it's most important that we have food......:winkgrin:

I think maybe an evening presentation for say 2-3 hrs would be best. Maybe over a series. Like one night= orthopedic injuries another head/neck injuries, another back injuries....something like that? Maybe COTH can get us a place?

Since I've had ALL the injuries; I can be the crash dummy!!! :D

Hunter's Rest

Oct. 12, 2009, 04:30 PM

1. Tri County is a natural, but then again so is National Sporting Library, Middleburg Community Center, comm. center of some sort in Warrenton, Leesburg, etc. I'd travel *that* far for this thing.
2. Not sure if I'd do multiple days/nights. I'd prefer 1 hour on basic first aid - spine, brain, bleeding, etc. Maybe another 1 hour to include horse vet care tips and maybe a quick simple survival skills thing. Then food. And drinks.
3. Needs to be free. Potluck, but free.
4. Certainly open to all. All, not just horsemen or foxhunters but all. I'd hope a couple horse husbands/moms/etc. would attend if that were the case.
5. I think perhaps someone could be there with a laptop and printer and get folks to give them vital info and type in/print out/maybe even laminate during the event. For that, I *would* pay. Maybe $5 for 3? Or $10 for 3?? One for your house, one for your barn, one for your truck?? I"d be ALL OVER having that. Maybe even sell little double sided stickies (4 packs) that you can use to stick them to your tack room door/trailer door, etc.
Someone knows best what it would have on it, but basic - name, address, phone numbers, emergency contacts, basic directions/directives for horses/care. What else? Allergies, naturally, hospital preference, maybe, vet info, insureance info (basic), maybe where you 'hide' your keys (if in a park or something, I often take my keys out and lock my doors and hide my keys in an easy-to-find but not theft-worthy place. Doubt anyone could find them so easily, though.)
I'm happy to help do this thing. JSwan you're hereby elected as queen bee of this project. Watery Glen is your VP. I'm your worker bee.
Tell us what to do and how to do it.
Once we get this thing going we can post it on all boards, and I'd open it up to publicity in the local paper for 'other' sports, and perhaps some of you on other boards can post there. Plus of course tell all the hunts.

Ajierene

Oct. 13, 2009, 11:59 AM

3. Needs to be free. Potluck, but free.

Keep in mind, the Red Cross classes cost money. At least $30. This pays for equipment and administration fees, such as making the cards and keeping track of who is certified (if you lose your card, you should be able to get a new one from your local office - at least you can in my area). In my area, this also includes rental fees to buildings/rooms.

Also, the CPR class itself is schedule for at least 5 hours and the First Aid class is about 4 hours. I would expect an entire day of learning. The classes may not take as long, depending on the class size and abilities of the participants.

You may be able to work something out with your local office, if you can have a venue donated, work out administrative issues, etc, you may be able to cut that fee down.

I am not sure about any survival organizations, I am only familiar with the Red Cross of my area.

Hunter's Rest

Oct. 13, 2009, 12:28 PM

I don't think I want full blown cpr but just a quick course from a professional nurse or doctor or EMT type who can give us BASIC information.
I think all those places listed will give us a free place to have a class. And I'm sure we can get no cost or low cost teacher.
I think that at-cost laminated emergency info cards would be a huge selling point.

LexInVA

Oct. 13, 2009, 12:31 PM

Turns out LockeMeadows is a certified CPR instructor. Might be able to work something out with her though it's gonna cost money to get official certification and that is something you MUST have for legal and insurance liability purposes.

JSwan

Oct. 13, 2009, 02:22 PM

I don't mean to be a party pooper but free first aid training is unrealistic.

Whether it's cost for the facility, event coverage, fee or costs for the speaker/trainer... there is just going to be some sort of cost involved.

For everyone's sake it's important the instructor be qualified to teach as well.

Since the only people who have responded appear to be in the Piedmont/NoVa area I'll focus on us and not the rest of the state.

Locating a facility is not a problem.

x-rab

Oct. 13, 2009, 03:21 PM

But the Hubby has another cousin who is a CCR, ICU trained nurse who rides. I can try to see if she would be willing to do a class for us. With Wateryglen we could probably cover all the bases.

Thanks for the idea about the Emergency Information in the trailer idea. We just bought a trailer and I will get the emergency info posted next time we go out.

Fox Wood Farm

Oct. 13, 2009, 03:51 PM

I spend many hours riding alone - schooling and trail riding. Years ago, I worried about what might happen to my horses if we ever got separated. (Not worried about me!) I keep a list of personal contact info inside a leather luggage tag - the kind that you can snap closed over the info. Put the tag on a double snap and snap it on a saddle dee. My info starts out like this... If you find this on a gray horse, his name is, etc... If you find this on a brown horse, his name is, etc... And then proceed to list my name, home and cell numbers, hubby's cell, friend's cell, Vet and Farrier names and numbers. I also have a description of my truck and trailer and license plates. And of course my home address (my horses live at home - add boarding barn to the list if applicable). I also squish my hunting licenses in the tag holder. And the snap is also a handy place to put my local trail system ID tag and a key for all the gates in our hunting country. Having it on a snap makes it very easy to move from one saddle to another.

And I second the comments about USRider - I have all that info in my trailer. When I am hunting or riding with others, I make sure somebody knows where I stash the truck keys. Can't do that when I am off alone. Thank God I have never needed any of this.

Oh - and riding alone, I always take my cell and always on ME, not in the sandwich case attached to the saddle! That's reserved for flasks, anyway, plus pen sized antibiotic goo and benadryl! And this time of year, always ride out wearing a cheap blaze orange vest so the local hunters don't mistake me for a deer....

You can never be "too safe"...

Simbalism

Oct. 14, 2009, 12:04 AM

I like the idea of putting this info in the trailer. I keep thinking I need to do that, just haven't gotten around to it. That will be my project for this week. I already have one of the arm band pockets that eventers wear with contact/emergency info in it that I wear when I ride. I need to put a copy of my insurance card and driver's license in it as those are things that would be needed to obtain treatment at a hospital. I am going to go fox hunting for the first time at the end of the month. Does anyone carry a first aid kit while hunting? Would it be a faux pas to wear a small fanny pack with first aid stuff? Everyone that I ride with(riding club) knows I carry a basic first aid kit while riding. I have a more extensive kit that will go in saddle bags. It sounds like your seminar would be a good idea.

x-rab

Oct. 14, 2009, 08:24 AM

If we are interested, Hubby's cousin will teach us the basic first aid we would need in the field. If we tell her what we are interested in covering she will teach us. Since she rides, she has a good idea about what we would need to know.

I have an excellent first aid kit in my truck. I keep it there and probably need to freshen up some items.

JSwan

Oct. 14, 2009, 08:51 AM

Y'all are super.

I'm getting a sense that we prefer an informal course that will not result in certification, but will give us some basic tools. Tailored to the types of situations encountered in the hunt field.

Food and drinks

Here's another idea - all y'all tell me what you think.

A separate lecture, given on the same day, by a local vet - how to respond to an equine emergency in the hunt field. Here's the kicker - using what we have available in the field - not what we'd have in the barn or trailer.

Basically this first aid for horse and rider session could be called - 101 uses for a Stock Tie. ;)

So - a short am session, lunch, and a short pm session. Like - 9-11 and 12-2. On a Sunday. Something like that.

Good? Bad? Indifferent?

ETA - this would NOT be limited to foxhunters, of course. And we might need to block out some time for a Q&A after a presentation.

x-rab

Oct. 14, 2009, 10:54 AM

Just get me some dates and I will see of Glorianne can do it then.

Hunter's Rest

Oct. 14, 2009, 01:00 PM

I LOVE the ideas JSwan. Not in love with the morning/afternoon thing, but I suppose I'd go with the multitudes if that's the popular vote. I'd prefer, say, 5-6:30 pm thing about people first aid, 7-9 on horse first aid. Dinner break between. Or something. Unless we wait until a January Sunday in which case morning + afternoon is fine.

Painted Wings

Oct. 14, 2009, 02:51 PM

Is this the form you are talking about?

http://www.usrider.org/images/emergency_responders.pdf

Seems like more info than that might be appropriate.

I have frequently wondered about US rider. Has anyone tested it? How is their service? I have AAA bvut I know that doesn't do me any good in the case of truck and trailer breakdown. They'll take care of the truck but the trailer/horses are on their own.

Our hunt has offered some first aid courses specifically aimed at rider injuries. We had a doctor from a local ER give the course. We also had one of the members of the hunt who is a doctor procure some first aid equipment specific to what our needs might be.

Hunter's Rest

Oct. 20, 2009, 06:55 AM

Well, duh, you guys -- Virginia Coooperative Extension is offering EXACTLY THIS COURSE on Nov. 14 in Front Royal. Why has there been no publicity??????
It's in the October Va. horse journal.
It *is* an all-day thing - 8 am - 5 pm, but it has certified and non certified tracks. Entitled First Aid and CPR for horse and rider.
$25 and $50.
540-635-4549. Crystal Smith.
Still, I'd sort of like a 3 hour course, not an all day thing. Anybody know Crystal and want to ask if we could do it in Warrenton, too??

Grasshopper

Oct. 20, 2009, 01:29 PM

I have frequently wondered about US rider. Has anyone tested it? How is their service? I have AAA bvut I know that doesn't do me any good in the case of truck and trailer breakdown. They'll take care of the truck but the trailer/horses are on their own.

Just an aside to PW--I've had to use them a couple of times and their service has been fantastic--friendly and prompt, in my experience. The great thing is they don't cost any more than AAA, if I recall correctly, and they don't limit their coverage to trucks/trailers. You may not get the kinds of discounts you can get through AAA, but the last time AAA did me any good in that regard was a discount on a Penske truck for a cross-country move....

JSwan

Oct. 21, 2009, 06:51 AM

HR - there is also supposed to be such a short clinic at the Middleburg Community Center sometime this month or next. Check your Middleburg Life.

I receive extension newsletters and that safety clinic was not advertised. I have no idea why.

ETA - forgot to add this nifty little item that looks like it will fit in your sandwich case. http://www.quikclot.com/ That and a nice big traditional 4 fold stock tie is just the ticket. I think Deltawave told the BB about this product last summer. (she's a physician)