SAFETY IN THE FIELDSCHOOL OF FOREST RESOURCES & CONSERVATION

SAFETY IS IMPORTANTBefore you go out into the woods, you should be aware of the following:Personal Protective Equipment Weather PrecautionsPoisonous PlantsInsects and DiseaseVenomous SnakesWhat to do if someone is hurt

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Safety GlassesGlovesEyewearHead Protection

BootsSnake Chaps

Remember your orange vests during hunting season!

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Sunscreen

Insect Repellent

WEATHERWeather in Florida can change quickly, so you need to stay aware of the situation and take appropriate precautions when working outdoors.

WEATHER: LIGHTNING

Beyond Thunder Dumb

Florida is the lightning capital of the world!

Most fatal strikes occur BEFORE the storm begins.

Lightning usually strikes the tallest object IF that object is a good conductor of electricity. Human bodies are good conductors.

If you are caught in a storm, remember:1) Remove all metal from your person and place it away from you2) Crouch low where you are not the tallest or near the tallest object.3) Do not crowd together with anyone else, and do not lie down!

WEATHER: RAINStorms don’t only bring lightning: Heavy rain can cause danger of impassable (muddy) roads, or falling treesTrees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg-BoChR2xE

WEATHER: HEATThree levels of heat illness:

Stress, Exhaustion, Stroke

Medical emergency!

• Mild thirst• Impaired work performance

(Heat fatigue)• Heavy sweating• Minor muscle “twitches”

• Severe thirst• Confusion, hallucinations,

and bizarre behavior• Hot, red, dry skin• Seizure• Unconsciousness

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• Moderate thirst• Pale, cool and moist skin• Heat cramps• Headache• Nausea and vomiting• Weakness and dizziness• Feels faint/collapsing

WEATHER: HEAT, SYMPTOMS

TAKE BREAKSDRINK WATERSEEK SHADEREMOVE EXCESS CLOTHING

…if you feel overheated, tell a classmate or instructor!

POISONOUS PLANTSPoison Ivy

Poison Oak

Poison Sumac

LEAVES OF THREE, LET IT BE!

POISONOUS PLANTSHow to avoid regret? Wear long pants, sleeves, and gloves!

What to do if you can’t avoid it, or you forgot the cute slogan:• Rinse off the oil with COLD running water as soon as you

can• Clean exposed skin with rubbing alcohol• Apply a treatment cream

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pIspD66ZZw

Good read: http://gizmodo.com/5906128/why-poison-oak-is-the-fing-worst

INSECTS AND DISEASELittle known fact: bugs live in the woods.You are likely to encounter:• Ticks• Mosquitoes• Ants• Chiggers…and more!

Ticks can carry debilitating illnesses such as Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Mosquitoes can carry West Nile and other kinds of encephalitis.

But you don’t have to let them bite you.

INSECTS AND DISEASETick video – Bloodsucking Ninjas of Summer

Prevention of ticks and bug bites: • Use repellent! (but ticks may still bite)• Wear light colors and long sleeves/pants• Inspect yourself after field work, especially

“creased areas” of the bodyIf you are allergic, tell your instructor before you go into the field.

What should you do if you find one that has bitten you?

INSECTS: TICKSDealing with a “bite incident”Immediately remove attached ticks using tweezers, grasping as close to the skin as possible

• Keep the detached tick, record date, work location, and bite location in

your tick log, and verified by supervisor.

• Disinfect the bitten area immediately and wash your hands

• If a bull’s eye rash or any other symptoms develop, seek medical

attention promptly.

• Lyme disease: tiredness, stiff neck, fever, muscle aches, joint pain

• RMSF: sudden fever, headaches, possible rash around ankles/wrists

VENOMOUS SNAKESFlorida has several important species of venomous snakes• Pit vipers: rattlesnakes, cottonmouths,

copperheads• Hemotoxins in venom cause bleeding, intense

pain, and muscle symptoms• Coral snakes

• Neurotoxin in venom causes minimal pain, and late onset of abdominal pains, breathing difficulties, mental symptoms

SNAKES: RATTLESNAKES

SNAKES: COTTONMOUTH/COPPERHEADS

SNAKES: CORAL SNAKESNOT coral snakes:

Red and yellow will kill a fellow!

SNAKES: IF YOU ARE BITTEN• No ice or other cooling agent on the bite. • No tourniquets. • No incisions in the wound.• Suction devices are not recommended.• No eating, drinking, especially alcohol.• No running or engaging in strenuous activities.

An increase in heart rate will move the venom through your bloodstream faster.

Best Snake Bite Kit

SNAKES: GENERAL RULES#1 Rule: LEAVE SNAKES ALONE

• Wear snake leggings• Watch where you put your hands and feet.• Exercise good judgment.• Don’t bother them, even if they are “dead.”

–Two-thirds of people bitten in the US saw the snake before being bitten but attempted to kill, collect, or harass it.

–Don’t kill snakes. People are bitten by snakes while trying to kill them.

FIRST AID GUIDELINES#1 Rule: If it seems serious, CALL 911 FIRST!Assess scene and victimAlert (call 911)Attend to the Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

Report any injuries to your instructor promptly.

Burns: cool the area, cover with moist sterile gauze ONLY.Wounds or cuts: apply pressure until bleeding stops or you are at the hospital.Puncture wounds: do not remove object from wound.Eye injury: seek medical attention – leave it alone!Snake bite: identify snake, stay calm/don’t move, get to hospital.

DON’T BE DUMBStaying safe is easy: USE COMMON SENSE.

Dealing with injuries and accidents in the field is complicated, but prevention is simple!

Stay close to your group or partner, stay aware of your surroundings, and use precaution in the form of PPE, repellents, don’t work outdoors in a storm, etc.