By the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Brushing Project - 2014

While working on a brushing project, a hand crew member was injured when saw fuel sprayed on

Being struck in the head is unfortunately common in the wildland environment. Snags, equipment, loose scree, and UTV use all abound in our environment. Hard hats and helmets are a must and provide a degree of protection. But what if your co-worker gets a hit to the head (with helmet on!) and stumbles to the ground?

What would happen to you if you were taken immediately to the summit of Mt. Everest? The answer is you would pass out, and likely die within minutes. So why, then, can people summit Everest without oxygen? The answer to this lies in the understanding of oxygen, pressure, and your body’s ability to acclimatize over time. In general, the percent of oxygen in the air stays the same with altitude, however, the partial pressure of the oxygen in the air mixture decreases.

When using OTC medications:

• Take them only as indicated on the package label and only for the conditions listed.
• Stop use and see a medical professional if your symptoms get worse or don’t improve.
• Carry your own OTC medications and keep them in the original packaging.
• Many OTC medications may cause drowsiness for prolonged periods of time.

Snakes are usually shy creatures that avoid human contact. Unfortunately, wildland firefighters are at risk of having contact due to their work environment. It should be noted that most snakes in the United States do not have venom. However, bites from non-venomous snakes can still cause significant infections and injury. Thus, it is best to avoid all snakes and bites when possible.