Managing a Motorcycle Crash -101: Part III
By Jennifer Hort Sandridge, NREMT-P; WITW Safety Coordinator; Sisters of the
Moon Chapter
Here's the story. . . you're out for a ride and stopped to render first
aid to a downed rider. While awaiting the ambulance you've said your ABCs. A is for airway, B is for breathing, and: C is for
circulation. You can look for problems with circulation just by looking at the
injured party. Do you see any bleeding? If yes, put a dressing on it (from your
first aid kit) and apply direct pressure to the wound through the dressing (or
shirt or bandana). This is where the trauma shears come in handy to cut off
clothes in the way so that you can expose any injury. Don’t forget your
non-latex gloves! Tourniquets used to be highly discouraged from use but are
starting to make a comeback in first aid. However, they should only be employed
as a last resort if you are unable to control the bleeding with direct
pressure, elevation (if it's an arm or leg injury) and use of pressure points
(all of which you learned about in a first aid class, right?). As gruesome as
it sounds, if there are pieces missing from the rider gather them for
Not bleeding you
say? Okay, look at their skin. Is it pink? Is it pale? Is it grey? Pink is
good; the other two aren't so good. If they're pale or grey and covered in cold
sweat they're most likely going into shock; unless of course it's raining and
chilly out then everyone will be pale, cold and wet. But, let's assume it's a
nice day out, the temperature is in the low 80's. The injured person is pale
and covered in cold sweat, what do you do now? Cover them with something to
keep them from losing any more body heat and try to find something to elevate
their legs (a detachable saddlebag?). What is happening is the body is trying
to save itself by shutting down the blood flow to the extremities and keeping
the heart and brain and other vital organs oxygenized with whatever blood is
not leaking out from their injuries. Elevating the legs assists the body with
this. There's not much else you can do now until help arrives, but be aware the
person may vomit without warning at some point due to the this very process of
the body trying to save itself. If this happens return to A and roll them to their side to keep their airway clear.
Now take another
deep breath and pat yourself on the back for a job well done! Qr, stumble away from the injured
cyclist before you revisit your last meal! Hey, it's happened to the best of us
on occasion - including the professionals!
Part I of this
article started out discussing first aid kits. There is so much more to
managing the scene of a motor vehicle crash than just bandaging wounds. The most
important items that need to go in your kit are not listed in the initial
inventory. These are training and practical know how. Be prepared for the
worst, but expect the best! Take a CPR class and recertify every two years
because as research continues the rules do change. Take a first aid class. It's
unfortunate that these are not required courses in high school and for
obtaining any degree in. college. You owe it to yourself, your family, your
riding buddies, and the stranger in need that you may happen to cross paths with
one day to know what you can do to help. My wish to you is: May you never need
to use this training! But be prepared just in case!
Ride Safe!
Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is not to teach the
layperson the skills mentioned above.
This should be done in a professional class setting as it
involves skills that may cause harm if performed incorrectly. Seek an organization
in your area like Accident Scene Management, Inc. (http://www.accidentsscene.net/),
the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association or your local hospital
to learn more.
9