2011-02-11 - Rider Down, Richmond: How to help?

One of the first things a first aider is taught to do is to ensure the scene is safe - this is especially important in a situation where there is an injured person in the road - even just getting someone to keep traffic away from the site is a potentially life saving move.

Good post Jayloo.

And a big +1 to learning First Aid.

Not had to look after a rider down, but after doing a basic First Aid at Work I put it to use a couple of times - man lying in the pavement not responding, and a guy who got clipped by bus running after it. Both weren't that serious but could have been, I was really glad of the training it just means you have "drilled" the common sense response. It's been a few years and I want to go on a refresher. All I can remember about CPR is "Nelly the elephant"...

Need to sort out a mini first aid kit for rides.

Used to carry a mouth-to-mouth guard, but really in the event of having to use one, I can't imagine going "hang on, I just need to put this on you, you might have germs/ a bit of sick on you" or whatever. Medics I know would never touch someone else's sick/blood/bodily fluids without gloves/guard, but they have to do it all the time so are more exposed to the risks, and more used to using the necessaries, quickly. It would be bad to get Hepatitis or HIV from a random stranger but in my head the risks are small. Opinions?

I did a refresher Emergency First Aid at Work recently. They advised that chest compressions alone are now being advised. This can keep the casualty going for 5 - 10 minutes until paramedics arrive.
http://www.sciencemagnews.com/chest-compression-only-cpr-improves-survival-in-cardiac-arrest-patients-study-finds.html

Yes, CPR has been made to be much easier to remember. The last time I did a refresher it was 3:30 breaths:compressions. Just goes to show it pays to keep current.

One top tip: If you have or look after children ask your trainer to teach you CPR, choking and anaphalaxis procedures for children. From memory these were not standard items on the course and the trainers are usually happy to oblige.