By Scout Nelson
Accidents on farms can occur unexpectedly, and a local FFA chapter is working to ensure farmers are prepared. The group recently assembled and distributed specialized first aid kits to agricultural producers in their area, aiming to enhance safety and preparedness during emergencies.
“We thought it was a good idea to do this because we haven’t seen it done by very many people and normally when stuff happens out in the field, normally people aren’t prepared for it,” said Tyler Strasser, the chapter president. “My family included, we don’t carry med kits in our tractors, so this is just kind of a way to get stuff out there and help hopefully save an arm and a leg in the end.”
These kits go beyond traditional first aid supplies, including items like tourniquets and bleed-stop products that are particularly valuable in farm settings. “There’s more items in here including tourniquets and bleed stop, which aren’t usually found in normal first aid kits,” said Kasey Trocke, Lennox Sundstrom FFA advisor.
The group conducted thorough research to determine the most effective supplies for farmers. They drew inspiration from existing farm-specific kits, adapting them to include accessible and practical items.
“We kind of looked to see different types of things that we could easily get was the other thing too, because some things are strictly for medical professionals only,” Trocke said. “A lot of my students who do work on their family farmers are like ‘hey, this is a great thing for us to have’ or ‘it’d be nice if we had components such as tourniquets and the bleed stop because it’s just one of those things that you don’t commonly find.’”
The kits are designed to address minor injuries and provide critical assistance for more severe injuries until professional medical help arrives. “I hope it benefits them by, when they get a serious injury, they can help their self and wait until medical help,” said Jovie Wirt, the chapter secretary.
This project also serves as a way for the chapter to give back to their community. “Because without the community, our chapter would not be the way it is,” said Strasser. “We have numerous things that are donated to us, such as a brand-new greenhouse that is being put up right now. There are so many different ways our community helps us, and this is one way to give back to the farmers that gave so much to us. Because without them, we really cannot do everything that we do.”
Funding for the kits came from a grant, which allowed the chapter to produce and distribute 50 first aid kits. However, they hope to expand the project in the future.
“So, if anyone is willing to donate to our chapter to be able to make more of these, we’d love to,” said Trocke.
Categories: South Dakota, Equipment & Machinery