65 y/o pheasant hunter dies

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don novicki

Active member
I read that a 65 y/o pheasant hunter dies after being shot in the leg. At 10:00 am the call went out for assistance. At 10:12 the helicopter was called. The helicopter was 25 minutes out. At 10:30 the hunter died from his wound. 18 minutes to exsanguinate and he was gone before they could air lift him out. Got me thinking that I need a new more inclusive first aid kit to carry with me. How many of us are trained in First aid/CPR and carry a F/A kit with them while hunting? I'm a retired RN so I have some pretty decent training, but when you are dealing with an arterial spray, every second counts. Horrible story for sure.
 
Wow, as an avid upland hunter / guide myself this is not something anyone wants to hear. This must have been at close range, I carry a first-aid kit and clot powder at all times when afield, definitely has come in handy within the past. As a guide it's mandatory to be trained in First-Aid / CPR but highly recommend this to everyone. Prayers for the family what a way to go
 
I always wear a webbed belt for just such an occasion (tourniquet) , but you can't prepare for everything. CLS course in the army many moons ago. Vehicles all have kits, but I don't carry one into the field with me. When the dog went out with me I did, as they are more prone to injury than I ever was. Glue, gauze, tape, antibiotic cream, etc.
 
This is a very sad story for all involved and the hunting community. I've been a upland bird hunter since the early 1960's. Worked on a game farm for years, and have hunted the birds in lots of places east and west. Been shot at many times, once badly in the leg. Hot pellets hurt like Hell. Sometimes ya hit the ground or get out the way before the shots other times ya have no time to. When a hunter locks on a target ya had better not be in the way especially if the hunter is a very good shot. When hunting with others I spend more time watching them than anything else, even the dog and I was taught "Always Watch The Dog".

Leg shot either a running bird, a very low flying bird, a Rabbit (yes it does happen) or a "Accidental discharge". The latter could well be in this case as I've seen that much to often. I was shot in the leg by the safest hunter I ever knew. When it comes to hunting and guns there is No Such Thing As SAFE. Hunting alone or with others things can go very wrong very fast...

my 2 cents
 
You really should carry a tourniquet. The commercially available ones are small and easy to use. Much better than a belt as you can secure it on yourself one handed (if something happens to one of your arms and you are alone). One positive of the GWOT is huge leap in healing people up after a TQ has been placed. Take 10 minutes and learn to use one properly and carry it with you. A friend of mine had his life saved this past summer after he stabbed an artery when his filet knife slipped while cleaning a fish.
 
This is a great thread as far as preparedness on outings like this. Vince knows I have a big bird hunting trip coming up next fall, and there is a great list of items that need to be with us when we are from civilization.
 
There are some really good trauma bags out there. Red Cross offers some great emergency medical training. Considering how much we do out in the field. A good kit in your pack or boat and training is awfully good insurance. For you, your partners, your dog be prepared.
 
I have been looking at a bag from Meditac. It is an EMT trauma bag packed to the hilt with everything you need and frankly more than I would ever hope to use. It's only around 100.00 dollars but I'm going to order one soon, maybe even this week. When you are out in the boonies and something catastrophic happens better to have what you might need, then need it and not have it. Additionally, here in Pa. when a kid goes to a hunter safety course their parent/guardian has to accompany them. I would like to see them offer a F/A CPR class, along with the hunter safety course. Not so much for the kids but for the person accompanying them.
 
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