farm safety--communication devices - Page 2

here are some links... these are indeed pricey, but they're intended for life-critical situations.  the only down side is the sensitivity of the individual system (how much motion required to NOT alarm) and the adjustibility of the length of time.  if they're not sensitive enough, you'll see the firemen doing a "fireman's jig" to keep if trom sounding - they bounce about every 40 seconds or so.  if they're too sensitive, they'll pick up breathing of a down fireman and call that "motion".  these systems have gotten pretty good.

http://www.interspiro.com/product-superpass.htm
http://www.summitsafetyinc.com/products/beacons/232.html
http://www.patrollersupply.com/equipment/item_1272.asp
http://www.amazon.com/Scott-Pak-Tracker-Firefighter-Personal-Transmitter/dp/B0017Y4YF0
http://www.americanairworks.com/passdevices.html

An air horn might be something to consider.  He would have to carry it all the time, but the sound carries, and it is distinctive enough that you would know it was an emergency.

The problem is always the accident where you can't get to the phone or alarm.  A friend of mine's father was working on a tractor, and the wheel rolled over him.  The tractor hung up on the door of the barn, otherwise he would have been killed.  He did have his cell phone, which for some reason was not in the usual pocket.  He was able to reach it, stayed conscious all the way to the hospital, then coded twice.  If the phone was in the usual pocket, he would have died.

DH, at 73, has more ambition than most 'kids' half his age.  Last summer he spent May through September cleaning out an acre+ overgrown with trees, brambles, and weeds by hand.  Used a shovel and a grub hoe - nothing like power tools - and dug all the vegetation out.   I was often looking the window or walking out to check that he was okay. 

When he finished he made some crack about how he was expecting to die working.  Sheesh!

Cell phones don't work out here and DH is getting more and more hard of hearing so calling for him isn't working well either.  This past 3 months he has been clearing our gully - sawing downed trees and grubbing out roses 'n blackberries.  I do worry about him.  That's why I'm always checking. 

Now we're getting into the snowy season.  This wonder-doof refuses to hook up the snow blower I purchased for the garden tractor and chooses to shovel our long driveway himself.

Now, me?  He seldom thinks of checking on me unless it is nearing mealtime.  Last year I fell when my snowshoes slipped.  Took a very worried me nearly 15 minutes to crawl to the nearest tree and pull myself up.   This year I've added trips out to tend the chickens.  Even more opportunities to fall, fracture, and freeze.  Old age sux!

Some kind of vibrating pager might work. . .   Anybody here tell of something like that?

Love, Linn B   (aka Smart Red)  Gardening zone 5a - 4b in south-est, central-est Wisconsin

What about one of those Life alert devices?  I can't remember how expensive they are and I know there is a monthly fee, but maybe it would be worth it for both of you.  It is a bracelet or necklace that you wear and when you push a button, it contacts emergency services.

Referee sports whistle. Sound carries a long distance, easy to hang around the neck or put in pocket.

Having the same problem here except that hubby isnt home during the week anyways so if something happens I am SOOL. We thought about cell phone so I could call the neighbors or 911 but no reception in most of the paddocks. Figured if I am awake enough to do a phone call I should be able to make it back to the barn crawling. Hopefully. If hubby is home and we work apart from each other I check on him every so often and he on me.

I don't have any ideas for you sorry - short of walkie talkies.   Or a good dog who can listen and go to the house to get help.

OUCH!   Girl, I feel for you.   


Last year, a mustang kicked me in the right hand - yup I am right handed also (no, not my mustang - just helping someone out).   Shattered my middle finger just above the very first joint in my hand and ripped most of the ligs and tendons in my hand.


It is amazing how much the middle finger affects the use of your whole hand.   I hope you heal quickly.

I am in a similar situation.   If I am doing something my DH thinks is "questionable" - like getting on the roof, or working with a young horse.  I call the neighbor and let them know - give them a rough time line "hey I am getting on the roof and should be down in about 2 hours" and then call them back when I am done.   That way if something does happen - then someone checks on me sooner.


I am also "lucky" in that I have a neighbor who...............likes to watch me.   He is an older gentleman and mostly "trapped" in his house, so spends a lot of his time looking out the window and I happen to be in his vision.   He usually makes sure that I do my chores safely and will call me if he thinks I need help.

There you have it! You are absolutely right! I do about the same with hubby. I call him when I come home from work and before I do chores. He knows just how long things usually take and if I don't call him after chores within a certain time he gets nervous. IfI don't call him within a certain time frame he will call an armee of neighbors to come and find me. Has happened before