Working in high-risk environments teaches you lessons that no classroom ever truly can. Whether you’re in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), arboriculture, construction, or any other safety-sensitive profession, there are moments that permanently change how you approach risk, awareness, and responsibility. This is one of those moments for me.
At the time, I was working as a groundsman for an arborist crew. It wasn’t an EMS call, but the incident mirrored many of the same principles we rely on in emergency medicine: scene safety, rapid assessment, bleeding control, leadership under pressure, and trusting your instincts when something feels “off.”
This story takes place in a client’s backyard, on what initially appeared to be a perfect workday.
The Setting: A Calm Day That Felt Almost Too Easy
We were working in a residential backyard, removing limbs from a tall oak tree. The tree itself was beautiful but chaotic, thick branches extending in multiple directions, overlapping and tangled. Oaks provide incredible shade, and that morning, the yard felt cool and comfortable beneath its canopy.
The weather was ideal. It was sunny, warm, and mostly calm. There was minimal wind overall, but I noticed something subtle: occasional light gusts that gently moved the tree. Nothing dramatic, nothing alarming, but enough to register in the back of my mind.
The mood on site was high. Everyone was in good spirits, the job was progressing smoothly, and the environment felt controlled. As often happens with tree work, the more limbs you remove, the more shade disappears. As the day went on, the sun became more noticeable, but nothing felt out of the ordinary.
Still, something about those intermittent gusts stuck with me.
Team Roles and Dynamics on Scene
I was working alongside my cousin, who proved that day just how critical a good teammate can be. My role was groundsman, clearing branches, feeding the wood chipper, keeping the worksite organized and safe.
Above us, one of our foremen was in the tree. He was an experienced arborist, harnessed in, operating a chainsaw to remove limbs. He was also known for being a bit unsafe at times, confident to the point of complacency. That kind of confidence can be dangerous in any high-risk profession.
Before he went up, I mentioned the gusts and suggested he be cautious. He noticed them too but brushed them off. The day wasn’t windy overall, and in his mind, there was nothing to worry about.
In hindsight, that moment stands out. In EMS, we talk a lot about situational awareness—the ability to notice small environmental changes before they become problems. This was one of those moments where my instincts told me to stay alert, even if no one else seemed concerned.
The Moment Everything Changed
I remember the breeze distinctly. It wasn’t strong, but it was enough to move the tree slightly.
Then I heard a sharp yell from above.
At first, I didn’t think it was an injury. The yell sounded more like surprise, like someone realizing a cut didn’t go as planned. Seconds later, he spoke again:
“Oh my God. I need help.”
His voice wasn’t panicked. He didn’t scream. But he refused to look at his hand.
That alone told me everything I needed to know.
In emergency response, we often say that how a patient behaves can be as telling as what they say. Calmness doesn’t always mean the injury is minor, sometimes adrenaline masks the severity.
Immediate Response: Switching Into Emergency Mode
As soon as he spoke, the entire scene changed.
This is where training, instinct, and mindset matter. I immediately began giving clear, calm instructions:
●Stay calm
●Apply pressure with your free hand
●Don’t look at the injury
●Focus on my voice
These are the same principles used in EMS when managing a bleeding patient: control panic first, because panic worsens bleeding and impairs cooperation.
My cousin moved into action without hesitation, grabbing first aid supplies and gauze. He also notified our boss, who immediately began preparing the truck for transport.
The injured arborist remained harnessed, which allowed us to safely repel him from the tree. Throughout the process, communication was constant and controlled. No yelling, no chaos, just clear direction and teamwork.
Patient Assessment and Bleeding Control
Once he was on the ground, I took over hands-on care.
I used scissors to carefully remove his glove, avoiding unnecessary movement. What I saw was not a clean cut. His palm looked grated, jagged, mangled, and clearly caused by chainsaw contact. Despite this, the structure of the hand appeared intact.
From a first aid and EMS perspective, priorities were clear:
●Control bleeding
●Prevent shock
●Maintain calm
●Prepare for rapid transport
I raised his hand above heart level and applied direct pressure with gauze. This significantly slowed the bleeding. Elevation and pressure remain foundational bleeding-control techniques, especially when tourniquets are not immediately required or appropriate.
He still refused to look at his hand, which, in this case, was helpful. Sometimes protecting a patient from visual stimuli can reduce panic and prevent vasovagal reactions.
Scene Management and Leadership Under Pressure
While I focused on patient care, my cousin stayed at my side, supplying gauze and anticipating what I needed next. Our boss had the vehicle ready within minutes.
This is something that often goes unspoken in both EMS and workplace emergencies: leadership doesn’t always come from titles. It comes from whoever is calm, focused, and capable in the moment.
Once the bleeding was controlled and the hand securely bandaged, transport was initiated. I did not ride with him to the hospital. My role was to prepare everything beforehand, ensure bleeding was managed, the patient was stable, and transport was smooth.
Later, my boss told me that the medical staff specifically noted the quality of the first aid provided. He emphasized that the first aider who handled the situation should be commended for skill, composure, and effectiveness.
That acknowledgment meant a lot, not because of praise, but because it confirmed that preparation and instinct mattered.
EMS Perspective: Why This Response Worked
From an EMS lens, several things went right:
●Early hazard recognition (noticing wind conditions)
●Immediate scene control
●Clear communication
●Effective hemorrhage control
●Strong team dynamics
●Rapid transport preparation
This incident reinforced a core EMS principle: emergencies don’t start when someone gets hurt, they start when risk appears.
Being mentally prepared before an incident occurs allows you to respond instead of react.
The Aftermath and Reflection
The foreman took time off work to heal. Fortunately, the injury did not result in permanent damage, but it easily could have.
For me, this experience was invaluable. It highlighted how quickly things can change, how critical teamwork truly is, and how trusting your instincts can alter outcomes.
If our response had been disorganized, delayed, or panicked, the situation could have ended very differently.
The Bigger Lesson: Trust Your Gut and Respect Hazards
No matter how trained, confident, or experienced someone is, safety must always remain the priority. Hazards don’t care about confidence. Trees don’t care about experience. Tools don’t forgive complacency.
This applies directly to EMS, where providers often work in dynamic, unpredictable environments. Recognizing subtle warning signs and preparing mentally for worst-case scenarios isn’t overthinking, it’s professional responsibility.
Final Thoughts
This incident reinforced lessons I carry into every high-risk environment:
●Trust your instincts
●Stay mentally prepared
●Respect hazards
●Communicate clearly
●Rely on your team
Whether you’re an EMR, PCP student, arborist, or someone working in any safety-sensitive role, moments like this define how you grow.
Sometimes, the most important emergencies are the ones you never expected, but were ready for anyway.
Key Takeaways from This Incident
●Trust your instincts even when conditions seem safe
●Minor environmental changes can create major hazards
●Clear communication reduces panic and improves outcomes
●Bleeding control and calm leadership matter outside of EMS calls
●Strong team dynamics can prevent worse outcomes
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