All five family members died. This 1989 incident from another state shows how untrained and inexperienced rescuers became victims. It also shows the need to know what to do in an emergency. Most likely, a family member or another farm worker was first at the scene for those Iowans. If you work or live on a farm, you also could be a first responder and will need to make life-saving decisions that will not put you or the accident victim in further danger.
First response is critical in farm-related accidents.
Such accidents often occur in isolated areas and may involve entrapment by farm machinery or in structures that are difficult to enter. A telephone may not be nearby, and the first responder may be alone. Tremendous stress can cause indecisiveness, delay, and incorrect decisions about appropriate action to take. The first rule is to keep calm. Fear and anxiety are normal reactions when a severely injured person, possibly a family member, is discovered.