A FIRST aid course tailored specifically to farming will be held next month, focusing on some of the perils of the profession.

‘First Aid for Farmers’, which has been launched by H&H Group, will tackle potential real-life scenarios such as crush injuries, impalement and severe bleeding due to amputation.

Farming is seen by many as a particularly hazardous industry and the statistics seem to back this up. Indeed, between April 2018 and March 2019 the number of deaths in agriculture - 39 - was four times the cross-industry average.

The course will be delivered by qualified doctors and paramedics, as well as student paramedics from the University of Cumbria.

The driving force behind it is Colin Lindsay, a veterinarian and non-executive director of H&H Group.

Mr Lindsay said: “In the farming industry, we expose ourselves to danger daily, it is the nature of the job.

“Real life emergencies happen out in the field and they can be extremely serious.

“Sometimes, resultant injuries cannot be fixed by basic first aid, but the actions that are taken while help is being sought can literally be the difference between life or death.”

Mr Lindsay said he originally discussed the idea of getting farmers up to speed with safety with a friend in the Army Medical Corps. They talked about the practical responses to injuries and the kinds of equipment which would be required in a tractor.

Mr Lindsay said: “The question hanging in the air though was: Is this kind of training available in the farming community, and if not, what can we do to bridge that gap?”

‘First Aid for Farmers’ will be held on Wednesday, December 11, at Borderway Mart, Carlisle. It costs £49.99 and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Email safety@hhib.co.uk for more information.