Grange, PSU, Dealers Teach Emergency Farm Rescue Class *** ,99M3 (Continued from Page E 4) ager for Independent Fire Co., which has 30 emergency rescue personnel manning its ambulance and rescue crews, seven working full time. ! equip on the lelpful, IS man- “Basically, we are set up for (emergency rescue from) motor vehicles,” Groff said, adding that cars are primarily sheet metal and comparatively easy materials to remove as opposed to the heavy metal frame and construction of farm equipment. What the participants did was listen to representatives of the dealers who brought equipment to the fairgrounds explain the func tion of the equipment (such as a mixer for totally mixed rations), and the danger areas, which are basically the moving parts, such as PTOs, cutter blades, chains, gears, belts, etc. Then, dummies made from stuf fing crumpled newspaper into old pants and shirts were used to demonstrate the rapidity of some common accidents on the equip ment and what happens to the body. Flip-overs were discussed. Groff said that while an overhead crane may be necessary to com pletely right a turned-over piece of machinery, that would be too slow of a response to a farm emergency. He demonstrated the use of inflatable bags which are used to lift heavy pieces of equipment just high enough to extract a pinned accident victim. Groff brought his fire com pany’s rescue truck which is stocked with two air bags and the air tanks used to fill them. The tanks are pressurized to 2,200-pounds. One of the bags can m his d and :ident lifting displace 19 tons. The other is to displace weights of 13 tons. The steel-reinforced, heavy compact bags work on somewhat of a pnuematic principle and don’t run a risk of exploding, Groff said. “With us, we get a lot of experi ence with motor vehicles,” Groff said. “With farm accidents, we don’t have much experience. (Farm accidents) presents a bigger challange to get (vicitms) out as fast as with a car.” He said that the program should be repeated and offered again to provide many more with the opportunity to get a belter under standing of farm accidents and response. Although some students attended the morning meeting, Wmebark said the evening meet ing, a repeat of the morning ses sion, was belter attended by farmers. He said that for their own sake, farmers should also be aware of what to do, and whom to call in the event of any emergency on their property. Several of the speakers also talked about the importance of anyone going near a silo to under stand the dangers of the gases of fermentation and that they arc hea vier than air and sink to the ground and can collect in low lying areas near the bases of silos, How down the silo chute and possibly into areas where animals arc kept. A dangerous common invisible gas of silage fermentation is car- bon dioxide which acts as a prcscr vauvc in sealed silos. Carbon dioxide replaces oxygen in the blood, binding with the part of the blood cell that normally car ries oxygen, thus suffocating 'Wy:f V someone who breathes 100 heavy a dose. Results of exposure to carbon dioxide can range from no nega tive effects, to brain damage or death. There is no warning of it. According to one of several fact sheets authored by Murphy, more dangerous than carbon dioxide to those working around a farm is the sometimes visible, yet very dangerous nitrogen dioxide gas, which in even low levels can cause respiratory damage that results in delayed death. Nitrogen oxide is normally formed within the first three days Mervin Sensenig pulls on an emergency shut-off cord on this Rissler TMR mixer as a demonstration of safety fea tures to Lee Groff, a rescue worker. i a after being harvested, chopped and ensiled. Since it can take several days to fill a silo, farmers must be aware of the dangers and how to approach even an unsuspicious silo. According to Murphy, nitrogen dioxide has a strong, bleach-like odor, but may also cause severe damage even if the smell is barely noticeable. Other signs are low lying fumes which may appear to be yellow, red or dark brown. Except for a self-contained bre athing apparatus, there is no gas mask that will enable a human to # survive in the oxygen-deprived areas where the heavy gases collect A number of other fact sheet handouts covering subjects dis cussed are available to anyone, regardless of sex, race, or religion, from their local extension office. Those commercial dealers pro viding equipment and expertise included Shuey’s Sales and Ser vice, Wenger’s Farm Machinery Inc., Evergreen Tractor Co., Umberger’s of Fontana Inc., Cedar Crest Equipment Keilu Bros Tractor Co., and Ixbanon Valley Implement Co. Inc. Local Merchant Wins Caribbean Cruise CLEVELAND, Ohio Law rence R. Claus Sr., president of Erb & Henry Equipment Inc., N. Berlinville, Pa. was recently re cognized for a year of outstanding sales performance with an invita tion to join other top Cub Cadet dealers and their guests on a Caribbean cruise. Each year Cub Cadet rewards its outstanding dealers with incen tive programs that encourage them to work and sell hard throughout the year. Sponsoring incentive trips gives Cub Cadet a chance to honor its hard-working dealers and thank them for their dedica tion and service. The program also encourages dealers who have heard about the rewards of a top selling dealership to set their sights on being eligible to attend the following year. Prior to embarking on the eight day trip, Cub Cadet hosted a pre cruise gala and awards banquet for its 100 guests at the Fort Lauder dale, Fla. Hilton.
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