Health and safety reminders ahead of November’s nine-day deer hunt

Sheboygan - As hunters take to the woods, marshes and fields across Wisconsin for the traditional nine-day deer hunt in November, HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital asks all to keep health and safety top of mind.

“Injuries and life-threatening conditions bring deer hunters to our emergency department each year,” says Dr. Richard Tovar, Emergency Medicine Director and physician at HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital. “Undiagnosed heart disease, overexerting one’s-self beyond their limits and being unprepared for the weather are common factors in hunting-related injuries and illnesses. Some of the most common injuries we see, however are a result of falls, such as broken bones and back injuries.”

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reports falls from tree stands result in more injuries each year than gun-related hunting injuries. Dr. Tovar strongly recommends hunters carry a cell phone and hunt with a partner should an unexpected injury or illness occur in the woods. Also let loved ones, such as family and friends, know where you are headed in case they need to look for you.

“Whether a hunter accidently cuts themselves, experiences chest pains, falls from a tree stand or happens to twist their ankle; being able to ask for help is critical,” he says. “The seriousness of these injuries can only get worse when a hunter finds themself unable to get help because they ventured out alone or didn’t bring along a cell phone.”

Additional health and safety tips for hunters include:

• Always wearing fall-restraint harnesses while in trees
• Maintaining 3-points of contact with trees at all times while climbing
• Bringing a first-aid kit along on hunts to deal with potential injuries
• Taking intermittent breaks while hiking, dragging, and processing deer to decrease risks of a heart attack
• Packing dry clothes, rain gear and wearing layers to help prevent the risk of experiencing hypothermia
• Maintaining proper ventilation when using propane heat inside of cabins and enclosed deer stands to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning

For more information about deer hunting health and safety, please visit:https://www.prevea.com/wellness-hub/blog-details/prevea-blog/2022/07/15/hunting-season-safety-tips

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About HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital

HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital has been delivering high quality health care to Sheboygan and its surrounding communities since 1890. HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital provides a comprehensive range of services that include cancer care, women’s services, 24-hour emergency care, digestive health, orthopedics, cardiac, home health and hospice care. The hospital’s primary purpose is to continue Christ’s healing love through the delivery of high quality and compassionate health care in an environment sensitive to the needs of all people. HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.  An affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System, we draw on the history of St. Francis of Assisi as we move to continue serving the health care needs of our area in Christ’s healing ministry, caring for all people. To learn more, visit www.stnicholashospital.org.

About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high quality, Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our 15 Local Systems and physician practices in Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon, Shelbyville and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan, and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the founding institute. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org.  For more information about Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, visit www.hospitalsisters.org.