by
Jackie S.
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(Originally published in the August 2000 issue of the “Hog Call”) |
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What to do if a rider goes down:
This is about a subject that none of us likes to think about. I’m talking about a rider going down – hard. Nearly all of us have at one time dropped the bike while we were backing up in a slippery parking space, or somehow misjudged the curve of the road or slid on a little – or a lot – of gravel as we roared down the road. We get up, shake ourselves off, give everyone the look that says “I meant to do that,” got back on our ride and go our merry way wondering how much that little mishap will cost in chrome replacement on our pipes. But what happens when the rider goes down, and doesn’t jump right back up? I completed a class that is offered through Edmonds Community College. It’s a 10-week course called “Emergency Response/CPR.” This is the Red Cross approved training that First Responders receive. The First Responder is the person whose training falls between the citizen responder and an Emergency Medical Technician. While this doesn’t make me an expert, I did learn a few things that I think are important enough to pass along. I am using the term “rider” but it encompasses both rider and passenger. |
If you are with someone who goes down hard, there are some safety and victim issues you should consider.
First: is the area safe? Do not move an unconscious rider out of the road unless there is a compelling reason.
Moving the rider could compound a spinal and/or neck injury. Do not remove their helmet unless CPR is necessary.
Control any bleeding with a clean cloth and applying hand pressure. Have the victim help, if they are conscious.
Stay calm. If you are calm, you will think clearer, and the downed rider will pick up on that.
If you haven’t already called for help, do it now. Keep the rider from getting chilled or overheated.
Shock can set in pretty quickly. Stay with them. Right now they need to know that someone is there for them.
Keep them still; keep them comfortable.
These are pretty basic precautions. If you take the “ER/CPR” class you will learn about airway management, breathing and pulmonary emergencies. The class also covers how to set fractures, how to handle shock, heart attack, bee stings, diabetic emergencies, hypothermia (ah, those cold, rainy days spent on the road) and so much more. You will walk out of there feeling like you’ve been through the proverbial ringer, but you will know you’ve achieved something truly life affirming. If you don’t want to devote the 10 weeks, then call your local fire department and they offer an afternoon of basic CPR and first aid. Or contact the Red Cross for information on available classes. The Snohomish Red Cross Chapter website is at www.redcrosssnoco.org or call 425-252-4103. If you’ve only thought about taking a class, but you just don’t think you can handle it, contact me (Jackie) for a pep talk. This training is a great confidence builder. I stumbled into class not knowing anything more than how to remove a splinter and apply a Band-Aid. It never hurts to be prepared; having the skills and never needing them sure beats needing the skills and not having them. |
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American Red Cross, Snohomish Chapter |
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