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An Arkansas hunter reportedly accidentally shot himself below the knee in the early morning while hunting alone. The type of weapon wasn't reported. Investigators said he tried to call 911 but the call didn't go through, and he bled to death. He was found when he didn't return home when expected.

There are lots of takeaways here:

1. Hunting alone is more hazardous than hunting with buddies who can help in an emergency.

2. 911 isn't going to save you if a delay of a few minutes brings death.

3. A serious unexpected injury is always a possibility when engaging in hunting and many other sports.

4. First aid kits that include trauma bandages and tourniquets should be carried routinely. They don't weigh much or take up much room, and they're worth their weight in gold when needed. Either or both of these items might well have saved this man's life.

Details of this incident can be found here.

Excaliber wrote:2. 911 isn't going to save you if a delay of a few minutes brings death.

Even if you have hours, no cellular signal means no 911 call.

What was that song, "...one is the loneliest lonely number...", or something like that?

Shoot Straight wrote:

Excaliber wrote:2. 911 isn't going to save you if a delay of a few minutes brings death.

Even if you have hours, no cellular signal means no 911 call.

If one can stop the bleeding before he loses consciousness, he has the option of moving to a more favorable communication position or back to his vehicle to drive himself to where he can get treatment.

If one can't stop the bleeding in time, other options become moot.

One sure thing...all bleeding stops eventually!!!

Excaliber wrote: 911 isn't going to save you if a delay of a few minutes brings death.

That's a good reminder for suburbanites, where a few minutes is the typical delay between a 911 call and help arriving. Response times are typically slower in rural areas, and slower still in the sticks.

Hoosier Daddy wrote:

Excaliber wrote: 911 isn't going to save you if a delay of a few minutes brings death.

That's a good reminder for suburbanites, where a few minutes is the typical delay between a 911 call and help arriving. Response times are typically slower in rural areas, and slower still in the sticks.

Maybe people need to be more selective when they choose "hunting buddies".

WildBill wrote:Maybe people need to be more selective when they choose "hunting buddies".

This guy was alone. Allegedly.

Either way, the story is a good reminder that 911 does not provide instant help. We should be prepared to act as first responders while waiting for the paid professionals to show up with their gear. An Israeli or Olaes bandage doesn't take up much room, even when it's not practical to carry a full kit.

If you regularly go to remote places where mobile phone communications are not possible, you may consider SPOT. http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=101" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As a hanggliding pilot, I have landed in the middle of nowhere without any phone service. Most times I have had radio contact with a chase driver (normally my wife). However, there is always a chance of making a less than safe landing and needing help fast. My loving wife gave me one of these a couple of years ago. While I never plan on using it, if gives us both piece of mind knowing that help is just a push button away. The link above is for a newer model that has a check-in feature--I am sure I will be "upgraded" in the coming months.

People die while fishing alone too.

tacticool wrote:

WildBill wrote:Maybe people need to be more selective when they choose "hunting buddies".

This guy was alone. Allegedly.

Either way, the story is a good reminder that 911 does not provide instant help. We should be prepared to act as first responders while waiting for the paid professionals to show up with their gear. An Israeli or Olaes bandage doesn't take up much room, even when it's not practical to carry a full kit.

I understand that he was alone. What I meant by my comment was that people should make sure that their hunting buddies are people who are trained in first aid and can be depended upon to do the right thing in case of a life-threatening emergency. Just because they have been friends for years or are a good old boy will not save their lives in an emergency.

Be sure of your buddies. I knew a cabinet maker that had a friend over visiting his shop when he accidently lost a finger. He grabbed a rag to stop the bleeding, looked around and the buddy was gone. Be sure of who will cut and run.

I often work or hunt or many other things alone. I have learned to be more careful than many others.

Oldgringo wrote:People die while fishing alone too.

OldCurlyWolf wrote:I often work or hunt or many other things alone. I have learned to be more careful than many others.

People can die alone doing anything and sometimes while doing nothing.

WildBill wrote:

Oldgringo wrote:People die while fishing alone too.

OldCurlyWolf wrote:I often work or hunt or many other things alone. I have learned to be more careful than many others.

People can die alone doing anything and sometimes while doing nothing.

Being born is, without exception, ultimately fatal, and nobody gets out of this life alive.

Then again, there's no sense in hurrying that exit along through carelessness or lack of preparation.