Safe Hunting?
Doctor's Orders?
Dr. Michael Willis received his MD from Louisiana State
University School of Medicine. He says that when hunting, hunters should
have with them a collection of survival gear for unfortunate circumstances
in which life may be threatened. He also suggests that hunters attend
courses that teach survival skills.
Included in a hunter's first-aid kit should be:
- Betadine swabs for cleaning cuts and open wounds.
- Sterile gauze pads and rolls for dressing wounds.
- Ace wraps for compression of bleeding.
- Splints for immobilizing injured limbs.
- Cellular phone or two-way radio.
Dr. Willis says that some field injuries may be quite
severe and recommends against suturing your own wounds when out in the
woods.
The doctor says that hunting from a tree stand can be
dangerous. Recent data suggests that one in three hunters will fall from
their stand. These falls often result in spinal cord injury or pelvic
fracture, both of which are life-changing.
He also suggests that snake bites not be treated in the
field. "I do not recommend attempting to treat a bite, as this may result in
worsening of the wound or the illness related to the bite."
All this comes from a doctor who is also a hunter.
Billings Gazette 10/8/03