Helping at motorcycle accidents

**JKWNZ** · 25th August 2006, 09:02

Passed a motorcycle accident last night at about 6pm on the Esmonde Rd off ramp... The guy looked in a pretty bad way and his bike was 100m further down from him on its side. (Yellow, >600cc, dual headlights... i.e. TL, SV etc)

Does anyone know how the guy is doing?

After pulling over thinking about what I could do to help I realised I didn't have a clue (given that two cars had already stopped and were... I'll call it loitering around the guy).

I've since decided that I need to go on a first aid course and thought someone out there might have an idea what you can actually do be helpful and not cause more problems - besides calling for an ambulance. In the least I wanted to upright his bike but thought are you interfering with an accident scene then?

Anyone got any ideas on whats good (given peoples experience) or not recommended (input from any Cops or Ambulance guys would be good)?

You can tell the potential to stuff up when trying to help is quite high... I heard the best you can do with a non-coherent motorcyclist is not move them at all... doesnt sound very helpful... any ideas

**Sis** · 25th August 2006, 09:09

Don't remove the helmet!

**Colapop** · 25th August 2006, 09:14

Having done a fair bit of first aid and a little emergency care stuff, my advice would be to get in touch with Red Cross or St Johns Ambulence. Both run very good first aid courses. Unless you have had training in further medical aid I wouldn't worry about anything other than insuring the basics of life are met for the injured. There are paid professionals out there who know what they are doing and have the resources to provide further care. And in most cases you'll be able to call for help from them and get it fairly quickly.
PM Speedie he may be able to suggest something (if he doesn't post in this thread)

**James Deuce** · 25th August 2006, 09:29

Originally Posted by Sis

Don't remove the helmet!

Yes and no.

If the person isn't breathing then you have no choice.

BUT.

I have seen some demonstrations of some very cool techniques for removing a helmet without moving the head or flexing the neck.

**Keystone19** · 25th August 2006, 09:36

The guy who came off is fine. Minor injuries and discharged last night I believe.

**JKWNZ** · 25th August 2006, 09:46

Glad to hear that he is fine.
He was splayed out when I saw him and not in the usual oh bugger position with head between the knees...

**placidfemme** · 25th August 2006, 09:57

Hey, in regards to "what to do". SpeedMedic and some others on here organise a "First Aid Course" specifically for bikers once in a while. Keep an eye on the Survival Skills section for the next one... or posta thread in there requesting on and I'm sure someone can organise something... might be a good idea anyway with summer coming up... so possibly more need to have that knowledge with the increased bikes on the road...

**Flyingpony** · 25th August 2006, 10:16

Got a reminder letter from Red Cross that my First Aid Cert is to expire end of October. I'd better get that refresher course done.

All you can do at an accident is provide some primary medical help if it's required and wait until the real medics arrive. You can also direct traffic/on lookers away from the accident site too.

Note: Work might be able to pay for your course if you are registered as an on-site first aider for Work place Health & Safety requirements

**Freakshow** · 25th August 2006, 10:32

Originally Posted by placidfemme

Hey, in regards to "what to do". SpeedMedic and some others on here organise a "First Aid Course" specifically for bikers once in a while. Keep an eye on the Survival Skills section for the next one... or posta thread in there requesting on and I'm sure someone can organise something... might be a good idea anyway with summer coming up... so possibly more need to have that knowledge with the increased bikes on the road...

Does anybody do something like this in Wellington? I would be a starter

**placidfemme** · 25th August 2006, 10:34

Originally Posted by Freakshow

Does anybody do something like this in Wellington? I would be a starter

I don't know to be honest... but I'm sure if you PM Speedmedic and enquire, he might have contacts in Wellington that can organise it for the Welly KBer's

**Switch** · 25th August 2006, 10:37

I'm planning to take a first aid course through St. Johns its the
http://www.stjohn.org.nz/training/course.aspx?cid=100
Emergency First Aid course. Not sure when i'm going to take it, but a few of my mates want to do it also, would be helpfull in any situation.
Feel free to send me a pm if you want to join us.

**sAsLEX** · 25th August 2006, 11:33

Originally Posted by Sis

Don't remove the helmet!

Wrong, only remove the helmet if trained to do so, cause if he aint breathing not removing his helmet aint doing any favours him any favours!!!

him his can be swapped for her hers it its etc

EDIT I see jim beat me

**pzkpfw** · 25th August 2006, 13:23

Originally Posted by Freakshow

Does anybody do something like this in Wellington? I would be a starter

Tawa college keep bunging junk mail in my mail box about their various adult courses.

One of them is a first aid course, over about two full-day Sundays, for about $60. (plus a book)

Been meaning to sign up for a while.

They seem to do it once per school term.

Cheers,

**Squeak the Rat** · 25th August 2006, 13:29

Even just knowing about the rules for not removing a riders helmet makes it important to get quickly to the scene of such an accident to prevent some one else attempting to remove said helmet.

A lot of people just don't know, and you might be able to prevent some ignorant or mis-informed person from doing more/serious damage.

**Freakshow** · 25th August 2006, 13:37

Originally Posted by placidfemme

I don't know to be honest... but I'm sure if you PM Speedmedic and enquire, he might have contacts in Wellington that can organise it for the Welly KBer's

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

Tawa college keep bunging junk mail in my mail box about their various adult courses.

One of them is a first aid course, over about two full-day Sundays, for about $60. (plus a book)

Been meaning to sign up for a while.

They seem to do it once per school term.

Cheers,

Thanks Guys will look into it!