Learn First Aid

[the2knights]

I try not to get n my Soap Box to often, but really felt the need to say something with riding season just starting up for many of our riders to the North.
Just a couple of days ago one of my daughters coworkers (fellow soldier at Fort Campbell) was laid to rest. He made some very poor decisions while riding his motorcycle. Even though he suffered a very traumatic injury (leg amputation), some more timely first aid may have saved this young mans life. The official cause of death was Cardiac Arrest due to blood loss! Among the group he was riding with, he was the one who worked at the med clinic, so he was the go to guy for any injuries.
All of us need to be ready to act as soon as possible. Learning how to stop bleeding thru pressure and or a tourniquet and learning CPR are just as important as putting a helmet on. We celebrate first responders quite often, but really, we all should be first responders.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

No soap box Ken, just the plain and simple truth. We don't need to know how to do everything but a few folks in a group each knowing a few things is much better than one knowing it all.
Thanks for the thought and suggestion!

[SgtSlag]

+1.

[dmwoost]

I came across a rider who dumped his bike, several people arrived at the same time, take a second to view the site. Several were attending the rider. No one was attending the bike that was leaking gas. So I told a second guy to help me set the bike up because it was leaking gas that was running right to the rider. Make sure every thing is safe.

[Okie34]

http://www.redcross.org/

Online training available for nominal fee. Check with your local red cross for local classes.

-- JD

[Mr Jensee]

It isn't rocket science. I was in EMS for 37 years and just retired now due to some health issues. CPR has changed. It couldn't be simpler. Easy to learn. No more mouth to mouth required as long as there is no pulse. Just compress the chest 1-1/2 to 2 inches at a rate of a 100 compressions a minute. Place your hands over one another on the lower 2/3ds of the breast bone and push straight down with the heal of the bottom hand. Interlock your fingers and compress to the beat of the old BeeGees song Stayin Alive and you got it. It works on anyone child or adult. Check the pulse in neck just to the side of the adams apple every 3 to 4 minutes using the tips of your index and middle fingers. Don't pause the compressions to do so. The only difference is doing it on babies and you can learn that in a 4 hr. class at the local AHA.
As for bleeding, tourniquets are now the in thing again. Minor bleeding, direct pressure to the wound. Don't be afraid of contamination, any rag or just the bare hand if necessary but it is better to keep some nitrille gloves on your bike for blood borne pathogen issolation. Pressure with your hand to an artery above the wound will slow or stop a lot of moderate bleeding. Amputations or serious bleeding, tie a tourniquet about 2 inches above the injury, use something like a bandana or a belt, keep it wide, and tighten it till the bleeding stops. DO NOT LOOSEN IT TILL AFTER YOU GET TO A HOSPITAL. Don't tighten it any more than it takes to stop the bleeding.
Neck or spinal injuries are possible on a bike, Never take the helmet off at the scene. Wait for Ambulance or Rescue. The airway can be watched with a helmet on. Removing it may seriously damage a neck fracture further. Keep the person lying down. if face down gently roll them on their side as a unit and put their head resting on the outstretched bottom arm. Talk to them and keep them awake and from moving. Keep them on their side in case they start to throw up. Just remember these tips in a wreck involving a biker and you could save his life. Yes, absolutely take a first aid course. Knowledge will beat back the panic in your head when something like this happens.

[Chris near Kansas City]

2Knights, I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's coworker.

I can state with 100% certainty, that our friends Wayne and Barb would not be alive today if the other people riding in the group had not had the training and experience for such a horrific situation.

Sometimes a chance is all that one needs to make it.


"If only......."

[voyager55]

I never understood why first aid isn't a required course in every school system. No excuse for it

[joerod777]

Every Soldier gets basic first aid training and many get advanced training. Immediate aid saves lives!

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

I never understood why first aid isn't a required course in every school system. No excuse for it

It was in the little school (graduated less than 200) I attended for high school! First aid & CPR both.
I agree completely!!!!!