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Chapter 8 ACCIDENTS & FIRST AID

So you think things are safe !!!

If an accident does happen:

It is now required of you to make a risk assessment on your provision of first aid

Firstly let us consider the accidents/ injuries which are likely to happen on a golf course/ playing field.

Now to the key question : Does your organisation have a system which will cope with all of the above?

They all could happen at your place of work!!!

There are some basic things you should consider :

Is there a first aid kit handy? - I visited a Golf Club recently which had only one small ( car type ) first aid box in the clubhouse kitchen. The clubhouse is a distance from the Greenkeepers bothy & workshops and the equipment and fuel store is around ½ mile away in the middle of the course - accessible only by greenkeeping equipment!! Totally inadequate!!!!!!

Basically we should have

  1. a First aid kit in the clubhouse - clearly marked and with instructions throughout the building on where it is located.
  2. a First aid kit at the workshop/ bothy
  3. if there were any other building in which work is carried out, a first aid kit there too.
  4. if a chainsaw is used I would expect a first aid kit to be carried at all times!!

The contents of the first aid kit can vary according to the needs of the area - obviously in an office we would expect minor cuts to be the main problem, so the first aid kit should contain a good assortment of sticky-plasters. In a kitchen the plasters should be blue coloured to be seen easily in food!! A chainsaw first aid kit would obviously be expecting large wounds and have the appropriate dressings.

A basic first aid kit to be used on a Golf Course/ Playing Field could include:

Face mask, 2 crepe bandages, micropore, 3 medicated dressings, 3 large dressings, 3 bandage, 4 sterile pads, 4 triangular bandages, assorted plasters, safety pins, scissors, tweezers, antiseptic wipes, plastic gloves.

Top up supplies should be available.

So, what is a first aider and what is a competent person?

A first-aider is one who holds a current St Johns Ambulance , St Andrews Ambulance or Red Cross Certificate or equivalent. This must be kept updated every 3 years.

A competent person is one who knows what to do in an emergency and can take the appropriate action - it would be expected that they attend a one day first aid course - normally called 'First Response Course'

Which of these you need depends on your circumstances - if the local ambulance can be on site within 5 minutes, a competent person is probably all that is required. If the local ambulance will not reach you for ½ hour, a trained first aider would be required. If you are using a chainsaw, a trained first aider would always be available.

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In many cases the worst thing you can do is move the patient -

send someone to get help and carry out the basic aims of First Aid

Its quiz time !!!! Here's a few of the things covered in a First Response Course:

Matching: Match the Heading with the description, each description is used only once,

Epileptic Seizures Hypothermia Boils & Pimples
Heat Exhaustion Bruise Nosebleed
'Nettle Rash' Choking on food Puncture Wound
The best way to act in any kind of accident Heat Stroke Cuts & Scratches
Arm/Leg Cramp Stomach ache Frostbite
Object in Eye Ticks Poison Control Centre
Insect Bites Blisters
  1. This results from internal bleeding. Can be a sign of internal injuries to major organs if on the trunk of the body. First aid includes ice packs to bring down swelling.
  2. This small insect can cause Lyme Fever. Putting Vaseline or some kind of grease on the insect to cut of its air supply is the best way to remove the insect.
  3. First Aid includes sitting the victim down, lower the head & pinching the nose
  4. These kinds of injuries can be caused by splinters, fishhooks or nails. They don't bleed much but deep ones may cause a disease called lockjaw, therefore it is important that people protect themselves by keeping their tetanus shot current. These kinds of wounds should be washed & bleeding should be encouraged for a few minutes to clean out the wound
  5. Is a loss of body heat and is a life threatening situation. Proper nutrition, raising the victim's temperature, and removing cold wet clothes, and placing the victim in a warm environment is the First Aid
  6. Convulsions can be experienced by a person with this condition. There are several types of these seizures. The most important thing to do when someone is undergoing a seizure is to remove objects in area which could cause further injury.
  7. Caused by a near total loss of body fluids. Marked by lots of perspiration, victim is nauseous & his/ her body is pale & clammy. First aid includes liquids, rest in cool surroundings, and placing his/ her head lower than his/ her feet
  8. Remain calm, keep the victim lying down, take control of the situation and be professional, alert, and understanding of the victim
  9. Can be caused by acne or other skin conditions. First Aid does not include popping or squeezing the skin but washing the area & using a skin cleaner.
  10. Caused by a malfunction of the heat-control centres in the body, perhaps by being in a hot or humid room. Associated with high temperatures, red, hot and dry face & full bounding pulse. First aid includes sponging the victim down to reduce body temperature and calling doctor.
  11. The best thing to do is start by cleaning with soap & water and put a band-aid on the wound.
  12. A good place to call when you are not sure what to do when someone has taken something internally that makes them ill.
  13. Can happen along with heat exhaustion. First aid includes applying gentle firm pressure to affected muscles, warm wet towels and gentle massage, also keep the affected area higher than the rest of the body also the victim may attempt to "walk out" the condition. A good way to avoid this ailment is to "warm up" before exercise or strenuous work.
  14. Victim may not even be aware of the condition, body will feel numb and look white or sort of grey, becoming blue in severe cases. First Aid includes raising the body temperature and placing in warm bath (40º C to 104º C ) water & giving a warm drink.
  15. Can start out as a "little ache or pain" from overeating or not eating enough but can also be a sign of more serious problems. If over the counter remedies don't work it is best to get the victim to a doctor.
  16. Caused by an obstructed airway. The universal sign is someone holding their neck who can not breath, cough, or speak. The Heimlich Manoeuvre of repeated abdominal thrusts, above the naval but well below the rib cage, should be given until the object is dislodged. Mouth sweeps are used to remove the object from the mouth.
  17. Giant hogweed and nettles are two plants that can cause this condition. Soap & Water are a good start in treatment along with Calamine Lotion. If blisters to appear they should not be popped.
  18. Some people are allergic to these bites. With any sting or bite the stinger should be removed, the area washed, a sting kill remedy used to relieve pain, and the victim should be monitored to see if a reaction develops.
  19. First aid does not include rubbing the area but washing with water, allowing the eye to tear, and removing the object with a clean tissue. If an object is penetrating in the eye then BOTH eyes should be bandaged to prevent further injury, the person should be taken to the hospital at once.
  20. Can form on the heals of feet when people go around golf course with wet shoes, no socks, or the same dirty wet pair of socks. Prevention is the best method, but if this condition forms the blister can be popped with a sterilised needle and allowed to drain.

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