To that end, there are three primary bleeding control methods:
•Direct pressure •Wound packing •Tourniquet
Direct pressure is the first aid for managing external bleeding, accord- ing to the American Red Cross . How- ever, depending on your geographical location and how long it may take EMS to get on site, this can be diffi- cult to maintain. “Direct pressure is using an absor- bent gauze pad over the surface of the wound and applying pressure to stop the bleeding. What we’re ultimately looking for is a clot to form with direct pressure,” Johnson said. “For major bleeding, we use hemostatic dressings, such as a QuikClot bandage, combined with direct pressure,” Tade- waldt said. “We find these dressings versatile and relatively easy to use with limited training for many of the bleed- ing injuries that could occur on a tree- work job site,” she added. Wound packing, on the other hand, involves filling the wound cavity with gauze before applying pressure and is suitable for compressible areas such as limbs and the neck base, according to Johnson. For critical situations, a tourniquet – a medical device that wraps around the
Rotational kickback can occur when a chainsaw's rotation stops suddenly, causing the machine to bounce backwards toward the operator.
Lisa Tadewaldt, tree care expert, and founder and owner of Girl Boss at Ur- ban Forest Pro , agreed. “Tree care can be very dangerous work. Even with experienced crews and strong safety practices, we work around chainsaws, chippers, heavy equipment, falling limbs, and heights every day. [T]hat means we need to be prepared for the possibility of a serious injury,” she said. BIG BLEEDS HAPPEN: WHAT TO DO Although rare, when an accident oc- curs, colleagues and crew members
need to be prepared and have a plan in place. This includes assessing the scene and the victim’s wounds, con- trolling the bleeding, determining whether the injury is grievous enough to need a tourniquet, and imparting necessary information to the EMS team when they arrive on scene. How to Control Bleeding Effective bleeding control follows a clear progression of techniques tai- lored to injury severity and location, ac- cording to Lonnie Johnson, director of marketing communications for North American Rescue.
While not always necessary for large wounds, tourniquets can be the difference between a controlled bleed and a life-or-death situation.
54 | Fall 2026 ArborTIMES ™
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online