The dangers of our beloved pastime.

[awaycaboose]

Went out riding locally yesterday with a friend who has had a longish layoff from mountain biking, all was going well until he got a wee bit too gallus and launched himself off of a jump which had a big log acting as a kicker...needless to say it ended in him sprawled on the deck. His lid was totalled, bruising around his left eye, shirt was in tatters with extensive grazing to his shoulder and back.

Now all of this would have been okay had he just sprang up again and asked "how's my bike?" but for an instant he blacked out with his eyes open and started fitting and making weird noises...now it was only for a split second and then he was back and we managed to ride the couple of miles home.

So I think what I'd like to know is how many of us who partake in this fairly high risk pastime have first aid training no matter how basic. I haven't and I know that had things gone worse yesterday then I'd have been well out of my depth.

Do we owe it to ourselves and to the A&E services to be a bit better prepared if we're going to put ourselves in harms way?

 

[neilll]

Do we owe it to ourselves and to the A&E services to be a bit better prepared if we're going to put ourselves in harms way?

Yes I think so...

Held a First Aid At Work certificate for 10 years....out of date now but I could have a shot still

Also I carry a first aid kit in my Camelbak on every ride and have a full kit in the car....makes sense really.

Having said that, I was the dickhead who splatted and broke something on my last ride :cry:

 

[cherrybomb]

Do we owe it to ourselves and to the A&E services to be a bit better prepared if we're going to put ourselves in harms way?

Yup. Basic first aid is a must, you could be miles from help when it all goes wrong and then it's down to you.

I hope your mate is OK..........and I REALLY hope he went to hospital to be checked out and didn't just go home.

 

[daj]

:cry: That sounds horrible for the both of you.. Hope he has a speedy recovery

 

[awaycaboose]

Thanks for the concern guys. He did indeed get checked out and was given a clean bill of health...it's pretty handy having a hospital at the end of your street.

I feel like a bit of an idiot as I've been riding for about 18 years now and have never seriously considered doing a first aid course...I kinda always thought that big crashes were something that happened to other people, stupid I know.

Oh well, time to check out what courses are available in my area I guess.

 

[cchris2lou]

to be fairly fit and know your limits is a good start .

 

[tintin40]

to be fairly fit and know your limits is a good start .

So true. Plus bikes don't have wings. So keep it on the ground as much as poss. Look out for trees. They hurt. Oh and switch off mobiles.

 

[neilll]

Oh well, time to check out what courses are available in my area I guess.

Here >> http://www.redcross.org.uk/branch.asp?id=471

They probably spend lots of time teaching treatment for stab wounds though

 

[legrandefromage]

I did have a hole in my head superglued at A&E -

STILL dont wear a helmet :roll:

never have - doubt if I ever will, unless it becomes law.

 

[tintin40]

I did have a hole in my head superglued at A&E -

STILL dont wear a helmet :roll:

never have - doubt if I ever will, unless it becomes law.

A soul mate I only wear for racing. (and the odd retroride meet) But the catch has broken on my cash hat.