Experience Files

It's easy to overlook your first aid kit until you desperately need it. But when an accident strikes—whether it's a vehicle collision or a serious job site injury—being prepared is absolutely critical for employee safety. While calling 911 is always the priority in a serious emergency, consider the precious minutes it might take for first responders to arrive. Those minutes can make all the difference between life and death.

The necessity of having not only a safety plan but also the means, equipment, supplies, and training to deal with more than just minor scrapes and injuries on your jobsites is paramount. The basic first aid kit you keep on your truck is likely grossly unprepared for a serious trauma sustained by you or an employee.

Equipping for Serious Trauma

Kits designed for severe trauma, while more expensive, include vital components like chest seals. These patches can seal punctures to the chest, ensuring air enters only through the normal pulmonary route. You might think a stabbing or shooting is impossible in your line of work, but what about other work-related injuries resulting in a puncture wound? Falling objects? Slips and falls onto sharp debris? The cost of a HyFin chest seal is less than $30. What's the cost of an employee's life?

There are tons of reputable creators on YouTube who produce videos about dealing with all sorts of serious, time-sensitive injuries. Investing time in this knowledge can be invaluable.

Assessing Your Current First Aid Preparedness

So, let's talk about your first aid kits. It's time for an honest assessment:

• What's actually in them? Do your kits go beyond just the basics like Band-Aids, tweezers, and bug bite cream? Are they stocked with supplies for more significant minor trauma, such as a tourniquet or medic shears?

• Are they fully stocked, or mostly empty? When was the last time you checked and replenished all the necessary items? Supplies expire or get used and often aren't replaced.

• Are your kits easily identifiable and accessible? Or are they hidden away, buried in the cab of a truck or tucked away in a dusty corner of the shop? In an emergency, every second counts.

• Do you have them everywhere they're needed? Are there kits in every company vehicle, as well as in your shop, office, and warehouse? Accidents don't just happen on job sites.

Taking a few minutes to properly equip and organize your first aid supplies now can literally be a lifesaver when the unexpected happens. Prioritize this investment in your team's well-being.