SUNDAY, Oct. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Along with misfired rifle shots, common medical emergencies involving hunters include heart attacks, back injuries and broken bones. By following certain safety precautions, however, hunters can prevent injuries and avoid a trip to the emergency room, says a physician who enjoys the hobby himself.
"I am a hunter and always need to remind myself to lead by example when I'm in the woods," Dr. Eric Grube, an emergency medicine physician at the Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wis., said in a Mayo news release. "Hunting can be a fun sport for all to enjoy. But we need to make sure that fun isn't spoiled by some unfortunate accident."
Hunters should be clearheaded and informed about their surroundings, Grube said, and they should also wear clothes that are appropriate for hunting and the temperature. And, he said, they should always alert other hunters to their presence.
Grube recommended more precautions for hunters:
Hunters should also inform their families about their plans and carry two-way radios or whistles in case they need to call for help, Grube added.
He also cautioned hunters to follow the following basic firearm safety rules: Always point the muzzle of a gun in a safe direction; be sure of the target and what's beyond it; and keep fingers outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
SOURCE: Mayo Clinic Health System, news release, Oct. 1, 2012