SSAA NSW

First Aid in the Bush This month the NSW Shooter caught up with SSAA NSW member and St John Ambulance Volunteer Jan Powell to discuss some of the most important safety tips for hunters to consider before heading out. NSW Shooter – Can you tell us about your own experience as a shooter? Jan – I have been a shooter since I was 16 years old when I asked my dad to take me to his local gun club. Being a very open minded man for his day, dad didn't see why a girl shouldn't be able to learn to shoot. Since coming to Australia in 1967 I have mostly been a hunter, shooting on friend's properties in Cobar although these days I seem to be more of a sedate target shooter – although I wouldn't say no to another trip in the bush given the opportunity! My 3 children all showed an interest in shooting and were all enrolled in the Wentworthville RSL Gun Club as teenagers. My daughter was State Junior Champion at 15 and both my boys were excellent shots. Just recently I had the great pleasure of shooting at a range with my son and grandson. NSW Shooter – What do you enjoy most about your work? Jan – It's a great feeling to know that I have helped people feel confident if they are ever faced with an emergency situation. NSW Shooter – How important is preparation for people before heading out on a hunt? Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. Jan – I am a 'just in case' girl, and I really believe in taking the time to prepare. I feel very strongly that all shooters should carry a comprehensive first aid kit. While most shooters would worry about a gunshot while out hunting, in my experience the most common injury is a sprained ankle, fractures, upset stomach, sore throats or chest pains. NSW Shooter – What should our First Aid kit contain? Jan – Gloves, face shields for CPR (available in a key ring so it's always with you), aspirin tablets for chest pain, gauze swabs for cleaning wounds, large pads to control bleeding, non stick dressings, island dressings which seal around a wound, cold compresses, bandages and elastic for sprains and bites, triangular bandages for slings, Stingoes for bites, safety pins, antiseptic swabs, alcohol swabs, iodine in a tube which can be used as a throat gargle and antiseptic, SAM splints, trauma shears, tape, tweezers, splinter picks, plastic ampoules of saline, burns dressings and creams, bandaids, anti-diarrhoea tablets, anti-vomiting tablets and sunscreen. A base kit comprising these items can be left in a vehicle and hunters can just take a modified version with them that includes bandages, band aids and your face shield which should always be with you. 4

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