If you interrupt his puking there are no skeles. Banded shield is a bit old and tattered. Would suggest upgrading to iron. Just cuz you can do something doesn't mean you should. And a newer player, one who doesn't know the fight is better off with the best gear he/she can get at that point. Sledge is pricy ironwise, but the stagbreaker is cheap and effective.
Same with meleeing him head on, why not from the side where you aren't in his aoe and take little to no damage... Just saying. But then, there is some fun in face tanking.