Should you cut leathers off?

[Toot Toot]

This is a simple issue that can become overcomplicated if you are not careful. The article raises a few tried and tested arguments Toast, but none that a majority of the bikers here need to worry about. I cannot speak for the rest of the country but Auckland and Paeroa races are attended by extremlely competant and experienced paramedics who are specialists in motorsport, are very well trained and have been doing it a long time. These guys full time jobs are front line Paramedics, not volunteers. The team leader has been in this job for over 25 years and is highly sought after both here in NZ and overseas (as are a few of us). The decision to cut leathers off or not to is made after a reasonably thorough (albeit quick) assessment. More times than not it is favourable to remove them. If the rider can do this themselves that is good. If they cannot then they will be cut. They need to be exposed to properly assess for their injury status. It is EXTREMELY rare, that the removal of leathers will contribute to their condition worsening. Fractured pelvis' are very difficult to detect while tight fitting leathers are in place. If one is highly suspected they can be left on, or if removed there are methods to contain the injury afterwards.

I have never heard of anyone dying solely because a paramedic removed leathers, on the contrary I know of cases where the opposite is true, life threatening injuries missed because the leathers are left in place. The odds are FAR in favour of taking them off.

[Frenchy]

Nicki read that article out to me last (I cant raed or tpye) and we had a bit of a chat about it and we both agreed with what toot toot said about it being hard to tell what injuries a rider has while they have them on, and is better to asses the damage with them off...
it did make me think twice tho

[Gremlin]

Being in the racing forum, I wouldn't expect anyone but paramedics needing to make the call, being a race with medics on site, and they are well qualified to make their decision. Someone said remove their helmet which is definitely not good advice. Only rider or medics remove helmet, marshals will loosen the strap.

[Jantar]

If you consider the priorities for treating an accident victim, after airways, breathing and circulation its bleeding. Fractures are lower down the list than bleeding. If bleeding can be assessed and contained with leathers in place, then don't touch them. However if you see bright arterial blood coming out the leg of the leathers and you cant see exactly where the wound is then cut them asap and get pressure applied directly to the wound.

Fractures will cause severe pain, bleeding will cause death.

[Toot Toot]

I If bleeding can be assessed and contained with leathers in place, then don't touch them.

You got X-ray eyes??

[Jantar]

You got X-ray eyes??

No. But most leathers have zips that can be undone to give a pretty good look at what's happening inside. Its only if bleeding cannot be assesed with the leathers in place then they should be cut off. In no circumstances should you attempt to remove leathers by simply undoing them and pulling them off. Leave up up to the person wearing them (if they are capable of doing that then the leathers don't need cutting anyway.)

[Toot Toot]

No. But most leathers have ..........

Thanks for your input, I think I know what I'm doing. Your intentions are good but leave the advice to the experts. A little bit of good information delivered badly s dangerous in these situations, its not a game of Yahtzee were playing here, your actions can have lethal repercutions.