[DVBC] First aid training

Wed May 10 09:46:20 EDT 2006

For my part, I have gone to CPR training twice, and although I need to
get recertified, if I'm on a ride and someone needs my help, I'm going
to give whatever I can based on what I know.  I course I wouldn't try to
do a trach or anything that I haven't been trained on.  I'd use common
sense and get them the help they need.

I have heard of situations where a person doesn't try to help or do CPR
and they get into trouble for not doing anything.

It's a shame that the world we live in is all about not taking
responsibilities for one's own actions and of course many people try to
make money off of this type of situation.

On Thanksgiving Day 2000, I was walking the bike trail in Ridley Creek
State Park and came across a woman who had fallen on Forge Road on the
steepest part of the hill.  She was coming down it and was not wearing a
helmet and crashed.  She had a gigantic lump on her head, was talking
nonsense, had chills and couldn't even remember that she had fallen.
Her boyfriend was not taking charge of the situation.  The woman didn't
want medical treatment but it was obvious that she at a minimum, had
some type of concussion or something.  I gave her my jacket to keep her
warm and kept talking to her until help arrived.  I wasn't able to do
anything more than that, but I felt that what I did may have been very
beneficial to her.  I've never heard what happened after they took her
to the hospital.

My feelings are that I would help others as I hope they would help me or
my friends if I needed it.  That's my 2 cents.
Debbie

________________________________

From: dvbc-list-bounces at list.dvbc.org
[mailto:dvbc-list-bounces at list.dvbc.org] On Behalf Of Dave Trout
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 8:59 AM
To: dvbc-list at dvbc.org
Subject: Re: [DVBC] First aid training

	We all know that bike riding is an inherently dangerous pastime
for many reasons and I agree that the club should promote general bike
safety.  I think the major reasons bike clubs do not get sued when
people get hurt on rides is that: 1. We who ride understand the dangers.
2. We accept the individual responsibility. 3. Bike clubs are viewed as
amateur associations. 

	If the club starts training its members on first aid I can come
up with many scenarios that may lead to law suits.  I work for a
non-profit social service transportation company.  We provide
non-medical transportation for the elderly and disadvantaged.  We
transport many frail and sick persons to medical and other appointments.
We do not provide any first aid training to our drivers, in fact we
removed all of the first aid kits that came with our accessible
vehicles.  Too much liability.  It is ashame it has to be this way but
it is the way of our society.

	If you participate in a dangerous activity you should at least
be familiar with the basics, but the club should stay out of any hard
core training.  

	I was trained as a medic in the service and have kept up on
first aid and am certified in CPR.  My experience with bike riding
accidents leads me to recommend that following information that should
be communicated to club riders - it is minimal and can prevent
additional injury:

	              If the person is bleeding profusely or unconscious
call for help right away and do not move the person.

	             If you are unable to determine immediate the
severity of the injuries do not let the person get up - keep them still.
People with severe fractures often do not feel much pain at first and
the first response of most people who fall is to get up due to
embarrassment.  I have seen people pop right up after a fall and then
keel over 3 minutes later in pain and shock.

	Douglas Bower wrote: 

		Dave,

		I don't think anyone was advocating requiring ride
leaders to be trained in first aid.  I do think it would is a good
opportunity for the DVBC to provide training to the general members
therefore increasing rider safety.  After all isn't it in the DVBC's
charter to promote safety?  As far as added liability, providing a
nationally recognized training course doesn't open any organization to
liability.  If that were the case employers, schools and the YMCA
wouldn't provide the same training.  

		Doug

		-----Original Message-----
		From: dvbc-list-bounces at list.dvbc.org
[mailto:dvbc-list-bounces at list.dvbc.org] On Behalf Of Dave Trout
		Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 1:09 PM
		To: dvbc-list at dvbc.org
		Subject: Re: [DVBC] First aid training

		I really think that this whole first aid training thing
could lead to a liability nightmare in spite of the Good Samaritan Law.
Once you require, provide or encourage ride leaders to take any sort of
training courses they could, in the eyes of the law, become professional
ride leaders i.e. held to a higher level of responsibility.  I have long
thought that even the words Ride Leader could be misused because it
infers some responsibility.  We are more like Ride Facilitators - we
plan the ride but everyone is on their own and responsible for
themselves.  When we ride together we are just a bunch of people doing
what we like to do together.  If one of us gets hurt, call the
professionals.  I do think everyone should have at least minimal first
aid training as a matter of course, but the club should stay out of it.
		Dave

		Douglas Bower wrote: 

		Dom,

		I have always thought everyone should be trained in
first aid.  Whether you are involved in the DVBC or not a good
understanding of first aid can help you throughout your life.  The more
riders that are trained in First Response First Aid the better.  As for
liability, the Good Samaritan Law protests people from liability in the
event of a bad outcome as long as treatment is limited to training.  For
example, if you have been trained in Rescue Breathing you shouldn't be
performing an emergency tracheotomy.

		I think the Red Cross has a program that teaches First
Aid to organizations like the DVBC.  I will look it up and see what
information I can come up with.

		Steve, I hope you are feeling better soon.

		Doug

		-----Original Message-----
		From: dvbc-list-bounces at list.dvbc.org
[mailto:dvbc-list-bounces at list.dvbc.org] On Behalf Of domzdvbc at att.net
		Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 7:48 AM
		To: dvbc-list at dvbc.org
		Subject: [DVBC] First aid training

		Good morning, everyone. 

		As you may know, the DVBC's 2005 Rookie of the Year
suffered a fall this past weekend near Kelly Drive in Phila. According
to reports, he suffered a fractured rib and a broken elbow. If you see
this message, Steve, I hope you recover quickly!

		We've had similar incidents during the past year where
fortunately a participant of the ride was a physician or other
healthcare professional. But should we count on luck (or a cell phone
signal) when help is needed?

		A concerned DVBCer has raised a question about first aid
training. How many ride leaders have basic first aid and/or CPR
training? Do you think ride leaders would continue to list club rides if
they thought they'd have to provide first aid to a fallen rider? Or do
you think the liability issues would cause the number of rides to
plummet?

		Many club members have made generous contributions to
our Safety Fund. I think we could put those funds to good use by
reimbursing club members who take a first aid course from a recognized
organization. What do you think?

		Thanks for your time, and your comments. And remember,
be safe out there!

		Dom

________________________________

		_______________________________________________
		DVBC mailing list
		DVBC at list.dvbc.org
		http://list.dvbc.org/mailman/listinfo/dvbc-list

________________________________

		_______________________________________________
		DVBC mailing list
		DVBC at list.dvbc.org
		http://list.dvbc.org/mailman/listinfo/dvbc-list

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://ccs2.craftech.com/pipermail/dvbc-list/attachments/20060510/e1a5b347/attachment.htm