You guys are awesome! Everyone was extremely pleased and pumped up about the class. At the Chapter meeting last night it got a lot of discussion and we will need to have another class at some point in the near future! (Perhaps in the early summer.) I'll keep you posted on that! Jack (our sponsoring Dealer) stated it's a great thing that so many in the Chapter are now trained with the basic class. We're going to make it a mandatory training session for our Road Captains.
Thanks so much for agreeing to get us on the schedule on such short notice! I know the folks in the class really appreciated the attention to detail you both provided in the class. I really look forward to seeing you again for the Advanced class!
10-23-06
I took the class yesterday at Biggs HD in San Marcos, CA taught
by Joy
Medved. It was excellent from beginning to end and taught me a
lot of
things I had not thought of before. I am eager to take the advanced
c lass
asap. Thank you for the service you have done to all motorcyclists
by
organizing this information in such a clear, concise manner. I
have posted
your website on every biker site I read and hope that all riders
will take
the opportunity to learn what you offer.
Dorathy Biddinger
10-13-06
A cycle operator last night at the Grafton Homecoming parade had
a disabling diabetic situation. (This was not a WB-HOG function.)
Fortunately, the bike was stopped and I had emergency glucose
in my Accident Scene Management, Inc. first aid kit to administer.
(Plus someone bought a bottle of sugared cola.) Things were reasonably
OK thereafter.
This
reminded me of several important actions pertinent to motorcycle
operation:
If diabetic,
carry emergency glucose, and let someone in the cycling group
know of its whereabouts.
The safety and enjoyment of others on a bike and in a group ride,
plus drivers in other vehicles depend on the driver knowing his
or her condition.
Road captains should include in their first aid TWO 15 gram emergency
glucose doses. I prefer Gluco Burst glucose gel (ref: http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100135&navAction=jump&navCount=0&id=prod1835141
)
Emergency phone numbers and medical conditions for which others
should be aware should be shared with one or more people in a
group ride.
I strongly recommend a motorcycle accident scene management course
be regularly attended by appropriate motorcyclists. As you know,
Vicki-Roberts-Sanfelipo/Accident Scene Management, Inc. provides
one, as will (I understand soon) Mary Donovan-Popa/Motorcycling
Enterprises.
Thank
you.
Jim
8-30-06
Austin Texas - One week after the SMSA conference:
Tuesday after the conference, I was going to surprise my daughter
and have lunch with her at school (about 2 miles away from my
office). I was going to drive my van to work that morning which
is almost unheard of for me, but that lil' voice went off in my
head telling me to take the bike. So I did! Thank God I listen
to that lil' voice (all my angels). The road I work on and my
daughters school is located on is one of the most dangerous in
Austin. There is heavy construction, lanes merging down to 2 narrow
lanes w/ barricades on both sides. The speed limit has been reduced
to 40. Of course the 18 wheelers don't like to do that 40. As
I crossed the RR tracks, I heard the signal go off behind me.
Then I saw one 18 wheeler slowing to stop for the tracks and another
hauling ass about 1/2 mile up the road. He never noticed the signals
went off. He only responded to the fact that his 2 lanes going
west bound suddenly cut to 1. I knew this was going to be bad.
I did everything I know to be right as a RiderCoach. Apparently
I did it right as I walked away from playing chicken with a 18
wheeler with one broken bone in my left foot. He slammed into
the truck in front of him so hard (he was going 65 easy. We suspect
faster. Yes... I did take skid mark pictures at the crash site
right after all the action stopped. Thanks for that bit of information
y'all gave me). The first truck ended up just shy of the tracks.
He jerk that cause this, spun off the first truck and came flying
at me. I think he might have slowed to about 40mph at this time.
Believe it or not, he only clipped my engine guard and drug me
down the guardrail a bit. Having done some stunt-work in the past,
I just kept all my body parts in and went along for a ride. As
he cleared my bike (not a moment too soon cuz the whole time he
was at an angle coming closer to me) part of the back of his truck
caught my rear fender and pulled my bike over. That's where I
broke the bone. I had my body pulled in so tight as he was passing
me as I could have cleaned his truck with my tongue, that I didn't
have time to get my entire foot cleared from under my bike before
I went down. The damage to my bike is minimal.
Yep. I'm out for blood right now. It was skill and God's grace
that I'm here today. Had I taken the van that day, I would have
had no where to go. The point of impact would have been my body.
By the time his truck came to a stop, he would have torn through
me, my entire van and still traveled quite a distance. Needless
to say, I can't get back on my bike fast enough. It saved my life!!!
Thought I would share that story with you. Because of the 'crash
course' you and your hubbie gave, I not only was able to handle
the crash site (which I did), but was able to collect evidence
that the police would not have. I found out that the only reason
any pictures or evidence would be gathered would have been if
I died. So, congrats lil' lady. You lived... therefor.... you
don't amount to squat!
Thank you both for the information you offered. Things could have
been very different for me.
You bet your bottom dollar that I will get into the training and
will get my certification. I was stoked before, but now to top
that off... I'M ON A MISSION!
I'll give you a call later. Can't wait to talk with you more.
You are one amazing woman. There is something in your spirit that
I was so pulled toward. There is no mistake that we met. I know
that for a fact.
-Thumper (now da guys are callin me Peterbilt)
note
posted one day later: I just found out yesterday when
my attorney got the police report back that the police did NOT
have ANY of the 9 million witness' statements in the report. Good
thing that I got business cards from the lead construction men
that were working that day that witnessed the crash and especially
the one that came over (expecting to find me in pieces on the
road) that helped to get the bike off my foot.
8-24-06
Hi Vicki & Tony,
I wanted
to say once again how grateful I am, personally, for the training
& your tireless efforts to get this training to us. I was
riding behind one
of my oldest (since 2nd grade) & dearest friends, when she
froze up on a curve & was almost hid head-on by a car. I went
into preparedness mode, I really was prepared for her to be totally
broken up, but I didn't panic. I watched as the car hit, and she
slid off backwards, slid along on her butt, then laid down flat
on her back. By this time, I had my bike stopped & headed
over to her. She sat up & was cursing herself out for being
so stupid! I made sure she didn't get up, she was off the road
in the ditch. She wanted to take her helmet off, but I told her
to leave it on until the EMS got there to put a collar on. I directed
two passersby to get to each end of the curve & stop traffic,
there was already a man on 911 on his cell, so I started to look
her over. I checked her legs, looked in her eyes, no signs of
blood, no tenderness on her arms or legs, her feet looked good.
I kept asking if she felt sick or dizzy. Then I went around to
her back, then I noticed she was leaning on the back tire of the
bike with her elbow. There was gas leaking out the tank, but it
was going on the grass, not on the pipes. So I told a couple of
guys who were standing there to move the bike after I got behind
her & could support her. That went well, and then she said
her back was stinging. I looked under her jacket & top, saw
she had some roadrash but nothing major. I positioned myself behind
her and held her head still because she kept wanting to look around
at her bike. I kept asking her to wait for EMS and then we could
take the helmet off so she would be more comfortable. As they
put the collar on, I helped support her head. I helped take her
jacket off & supported her as they laid her on the longboard,
then we slid her up into place & then they took over completely.
I kept eye contact with her, looking at her color & waiting
for her to get shocky, but she was good. After they took her in
the ambulance, I stayed to give my statement & waited for
the tow truck. Then I finally got to go to the hospital to be
with her. Both of us were fine until we saw each other again,
then we cried! I still can't believe how lucky she was, she has
about a 4 inch patch of road rash, very superficial. A small hematoma
on her right hip/buttock, a bruise on her right ankle & minimal
bruises on her elbows & knees. Her helmet has a rather nasty
scrape on the center back by the neck where it hit the road. She
never lost consciousness, no bleeding, no broken bones. Her jeans
weren't even torn, just dirty!
I feel
truly blessed to still have her with us, and I have the two of
you to thank for giving me the confidence to do what had to be
done without losing it! I know there were a few things I probably
should have done differently, but it worked out well.
I love
you guys!!! Nellen
5-29-06
Hi Vicki
You can add 2 more to the list of people who have taken your class
and had to use the info. Dad leads a Blue Knights ride from Rapids
to Waupaca every Memorial day. He asked Bob and I to ride as medical
in the back of the pack. A rider in the middle swung out too far
on a left curve, hit the shoulder and rolled. Some of the riders
had traffic pretty well under control by the time Bob and I got
up there. She was wearing a helmet, not a full face, and was conscious
and breathing, so we didn't have to remove it. Last I heard she
broke 4 ribs and had a ruptured spleen. I didn't hear about her
arm, but it looked like it was broken. We had ice packs for that
and her knee which was pretty banged up. She is a ER nurse in
Wausau, her husband is a firefighter. There was another EMT in
the ride who stopped, but he didn't have any gear. They were grateful
for the supplies we brought. The Waupaca hospital was really impressed
with how organized everything was. There was a trauma nurse who
was on the ride that stopped to help as well. I gave her one of
your cards and told her about the class as well as the other EMT.
He said he is going to give it to his chief and they will look
into having a class taught there in Plover, so you may be getting
some more calls.
The supplies were everything. It was definitely helpful to have
a really big kit (Bob carried the fanny pack on his waist so he'd
have it as he ran to the vic while I un-bungeed the EMT Trauma
kit from the tour pack of the bike) We went through a lot of gloves,
a lot of 4X4s and a couple ice packs. We also used the stethescope
to listen for lung sounds which were diminished because of the
broken ribs and the trauma shears to cut her pants and her leather
jacket to check her leg and arm. The Waupaca hospital said that
the only thing we were missing was having the actual ambulance
there already, they were very impressed by the organization of
our team.
Feel
free to use the story on the site. The more we can get the word
out, the better. The people I talked to afterwards about the class
were very interested and they could tell it did a lot of good.
I'd hate the think of what would have happened to her if experienced
people were not there, or if there were no supplies readily available
Anyway,
I know how you like hearing about that sort of thing, so wanted
to let you know.
Karen Hanson - Women In Motion Roadguard
5-29-06
Hi Vicki,
On Memorial Day a group from the Patriot Guard Riders were in
our staging area waiting to go into a parade. It was a very hot
and humid day at 9:00 A.M. it was well into the 90's. I was with
John Pak a fellow ASMI graduate from your class in early May.
As we were talking some woman comes up asking if there was a Doctor
around and John replied that we were trained in accident scenes.
She said you better get over here this guy looks like he's going
to pass out. So we went over to this man who was standing in the
sun holding onto a pole for balance. (its amazing that people
were just standing there not doing anything) So John and I went
up to him and grabbing his arms assisted him to a tree and had
him sit down and had him rest his back against the tree for support.
I asked his name and began to ask a couple of basic questions,
do you take any medications and he replied with a couple of meds
for high blood pressure. I also asked if he had anything to eat
or drink today and he replied just coffee. So I asked John to
stay with him and I went and got a cold compress from my first
aid kit and applied it to the back of his neck and he was given
water to drink. It was my recommendation to his friend that did
not ride on the back of the motorcycle.
He did respond well to cold compress and water and his friend
had him picked up in a cage.
In reflecting back I should have pulled out the First-Aid kit,
instead I pulled just the cold compress pack out and I would have
probably seen the electrolyte tablets that I could have given
to this person. But all in all we did something....
Andy Wolfman Regal
5-27-06
Paul Vita & I took your class a little over 2 weeks ago. Last
night while visiting a friend there was a car accident on the
road outside of their house. Because of your class I responded
to the accident, (there was a 2 year old in the back seat of one
of the vehicles), keeping them calm and directing people to call
for help and direct traffic. I was able to assess the situation
and report what I knew to the emergency vehicles that responded.
Thank goodness none of the injuries seemed to be too serious.
Before I had attended your class I would have been one of the
15 people that were standing in their yard and on the street doing
nothing, because I didn't know what to do.
I was thanked by the people involved in the accident and the emergency
personnel. What a good feeling it gave me. I had the courage to
respond because of your class.
I can't thank you enough.
We will certainly be attending the advanced class in the future.
Take care and know that you two make a difference!
Lynne Medinger
5-8-06
Vicki
and Tony
What a great learning experience is was over the weekend. I learned
so much from the class. You and Tony’s style of teaching
along with your supporting staff made this hands-on class very
“user friendly”. I feel very confident that if an
emergency situation came up that we will be able to rise to the
occasion to help someone in those critical minutes until professional
help arrives.
Thanks so much
Andy “ Wolfie” Regalmuto
Road Captain
New Members Host
Wild Fire HOG Chapter 1084
Villa Park, Illinois
The
ol man took the Accident Scene Management course, the two-day
one, and bought a trauma kit from them. I'd have to go outside
to take inventory and am purty comfy right where I am <grin>
but I do know it aint a first aide kit, it's a trauma kit. I want
him to add a length of hose for an all-purpose tourniquet and
dont know why one isnt in there but that's besides the point.
A few days after packing that thing in his saddlebags, he sliced
his left wrist really good at work with a circular saw. He works
alone. Thank God the boss's wife had come into the office for
a couple hours that day. He applied a
great bit of gauze and taped it up hard as he could and applied
pressure while she drove him to the hospital and still he bled
through. The man severed his radial artery. If he had had to depend
on the company's first aid kit that had band-aides and pretty
much that's it where this injury is concerned, he would probably
bled out before he got to the hospital. As it was, when I got
to the hospital about an hour and a half after it happened (its
in the next town), nurses were keeping a tourniquet on him for
2 minutes, and then having to let it loose and rely on applying
pressure bandages, which lasted about 8 to 15 minutes, then back
to the tourniquet. This went on till they took him in for emergency
surgery.
To be
honest I never thought before about how long to hold a tourniquet
on at a time to prevent damage to the limb below it. Perhaps that
is why there isnt one in the kit. But the stuff that WAS in there...
saved his ass.
Fre
It didn't
take long to put my ASMI training into practice. Today as I was
leaving one of the residential buildings at Lambs Farm, I heard
loud screaming coming from the fire lane in between two of the
buildings. I looked up just in time to see one of our residents
falling to the ground. She had slipped on a patch of ice and lost
her footing. She fell striking her entire left side, but thank
goodness, did not hit her head on the ice. I immediately ran to
her and put PACT in action. I felt confident in moving her to
a position that would prevent further injury. I assessed her quickly,
called for help and blankets to keep her as warm as possible.
As we waited for EMS to arrive, I kept her calm, continued to
assess her status and was able to direct those helping me to get
ready for the arrival of the ambulance. One person went to collect
the resident's medical information, one opened the barrier to
the fire lane to allow the squad easy access to the scene and
one went for blankets. When EMS arrived (even though I wasn't
wearing gloves) I was allowed to assist her onto the long board
by controlling her head until the EMT's could take over. Even
though I had assisted many times before with similar accidents,
I had never put it all together as I did after this last week
end of education. What a great feeling I had when it was all over
and the resident was safely on her way to the hospital. When I
returned to my office I enthusiastically shared the meaning of
PACT with my staff. Thanks so much for teaching us such practical
and valuable techniques.
Pat
Behling, Waukegan, IL
We
just wanted to let you know that we participated in the Charlotte
BAP on January 21 and the Advanced BAP on January 28 and we were
totally blown away by the level of this program and with your instructors.
We have been involved with the GWRRA Rider Ed program for several
years, taking numerous First Aid/CPR type classes, but these ASMI
courses reach levels so far beyond anything that we have come in
contact with before that we felt like our previous knowledge levels
were those of absolute novices. After completing the program we
feel relatively confident that we have the abilities now to not
only better protect ourselves and our riding partners in event of
a crash, but also to be able to render more extensive assistance
should we be presented with the need in other than motorcycle crashes.
Colleen and Tyke were fantastic presenters and are totally knowledgeable
and confident in their task, and the support staff (CBA/ABATE, actors
for the accident scenario, etc) were top notch as well. We felt
extremely lucky to have been able to take the course under the sponsorship
of CBA/ABATE, at no cost to us, but we will definitely spread the
word about the course and encourage our fellow GWRRA members to
avail themselves of this valuable information even if there is a
cost involved to them in order to participate. In our opinion the
ability to render proper levels of aid to an injured person is a
priceless commodity, and regardless of the cost the potential to
save a life or prevent further injury is worth any dollar amount
spent.
Thanks to you, your staff, and NC-CBA/ABATE for
what you are doing to improve the safety levels, not only of the
motorcycling community, but also of the public with whom we ride.
Dennis & Kathy Hull
 |
11-7-05
A good buddy of mine and I were out on a ride last Friday, then
things went “south.” We had been out riding the Baraboo
bluffs and Ron was now in the lead on a road that he had ridden
several times. For some reason Ron drifted off the pavement, tried
to maintain control, “highsided,” and was catapulted
off the bike, into the ditch. He landed on his back about 60 feet
from the bike, which was on the shoulder of the road. I got to
Ron in less than a minute, and found him conscious and breathing
(thank God). He was wearing a full-face helmet. He could not move,
or feel his extremities, but he could talk coherently (could count
my fingers, etc.). I called 911 but was unsure of our location.
When
I shut off my bike, my GPS shut off, so I had to wait until it
initialized so I could try to get our location which I gave to
the 911 folks. After I was sure I could leave Ron for short time,
I ran about 1/8mile to a house where I got a fire number, then
got back to Ron. Shortly after, a “local” drove up
and I stopped him and gave him my phone to talk to the 911 folks.
The first responders got there, then the EMTs from Reedsburg(about
30 min). They requested Med-Flight which arrived about 30 minutes
later..
In retrospect…I’m
glad the cell phone worked and that I had a GPS (we used the coordinates
for Med-Flight’s LZ which was only down the road). I did
not have my first aid kit with me. If he hadn’t been breathing,
I don’t think that I could have used the airways anyway,
and would have had to remove his helmet to administer breathing
assistance. Your Accident Scene Management course was instrumental
in my “maintaining my cool.” I had planned on taking
the refresher course at Capital City HD before this happened;
now it is not an option. I know I need more instruction in one
person removal of a full face helmet.
Ron
is still in intensive care at the UW hospital. He has feeling
in his extremities, but has very little movement. They are still
waiting for swelling in his spinal cord to subside. They fused
some C and T vertebrae.
I would
gladly speak to this incident at the January classes.
Norm
Sannes
10-18-05
Hi Vicki, I just wanted to let you know that once again your training
and
the fact that I carry the first aid kit payed off. My sister and
I were
riding or motocycles through the National Forest whan we came
upon a crash.
This time it was a person on a bicycle. he went off the road and
crashed
down a small hill. Hi injuries were not serious mostly road rash,
which we
cleaned up and bandaged. I think he probably also had broken his
collar
bone. Beyond that, other than keeping him comfortable until the
ambulance
arrived (15 -20 minutes) was all that was needed.
Interesting to note was the three other people that were riding
with him and
the sheriff that arrived didnt seem to want to help or maybe just
didnt know
what to do.
My sister
is an equine healing touch practitioner and she helped out by
doing some gentle touches on the man's face. Before she did that
he was very
nervous and shaking quite a bit. When she was done I noticed that
he calmed
down and stopped shaking. I thought that was very comforting for
him.
Anyway my point was that the info you teach in your classes really
does
apply for other situations besides motorcycle crashes, I am sure
you
already know that but I just wanted to thank you again.
-Linda
Schmal
9/13/05
We want to thank you and let you know this summer we used our
bag of goodies twice and our info you taught us came into use,
and we were surprised how much we knew under a stressful situation
while on the road coming upon an accident. The nurse that was
with us asked where we learned what we knew.....we said from you.....tks
Hope your rides have been fun and safe. Take care and sending
our blessings to you.
Marti & Craig Knox
Hi Vicki,
They really did do a great job. I'm a certified cpr and first
aid instructor, and I don't think I felt like I needed to teach
anyone anything. They all new what I needed for first aid supplies
to do the right thing for the wound. While I did my thing with
Jesse's leg, they all dealt with EVERYTHING else, including taking
care of me. I know my stuff but it's easier to keep a clear head
when the injured person you are caring for isn't your boyfriend.
I was shaky and had a little bit of a hard time keeping my emotions
in check. I felt a little queezy. Typical surges of emotions,
you know.
Anyhow, I never did get to take Gail's class because I had another
class I was in that day. I can't wait till it's offered again
close enough for me to take the class. I know Jesse will take
it too.
Well, Please know that SSWOW truly benefited. In my opinion, they
worked with educated skill. Great outcome.
Thanks again.
Paula
Subject:
ASM success story
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 15:19:56 -0700 (PDT)
Hi Gail
and David,
Just
wanted to send you both a quick note to let you know how glad
many of
us were that we took the Accident Scene Management course with
you last
spring.
This
past weekend one of our riders went down on Route 17 in Vermont.
He
was able to get up and get his bike going and said that he was
fine. (You
know guys-they want to shake it off and keep going.) A little
while later,
it turned out that he began not feeling well. When we stopped
and he got
off his bike, he had a bleeding leg under his chaps, as well as
a nasty
bruise on his head. We also saw that he was white as a ghost.
Because we
took your class, we recognized that he was going into shock. The
members
worked together very fluidly to lay him down, ice his head, elevate
his
feet, do a compression bandage on the leg and keep him warm until
it was
determined that he could go to a hospital on the back of a bike
and was now
not in shock anymore..
You
would have been so proud of your students. They each pulled out
their
first aid kits and, without much discussion, each attended to
the situation
in different and complimenting ways. Some bandaged, some did ice,
some
kept him warm and supported, some moved his bike, some attended
to his Full
Member to help her stay hydrated and calm, one went to the gas
station to
fill her bike so she could follow to the hospital, some found
out where the
closest hospital was and how to get there. Each person did a role
and it
all came together well.
Our
rider is ok. He is home now, with a nasty cut on the front of
his leg,
with lots of swelling and he has to keep it elevated. He has some
neck and
head issues that his personal physician will address this week.
His bike is
toast. But, overall, he is doing ok. It could have been so much
worse.
One
of the things that was said many times that night was how glad
we were
that we had taken your class and also how proud you would have
been to see
everyone take charge of the situation with the skills that you
taught us.
Margi
Diman
South Shore Chapter
Women On Wheels®
Class used again! John and Jan Bridges (Calabash
Class / older couple). At the state meeting in Havelaock this
past Saturday. John has been riding 40 years, but forgot the wheel
lock on his Ultra Classic. Jan got some road rash, but John got
pinned pretty good - left leg going to need a little attention
for awhile. Banged his head - nice mark on the helmet - no head
damage! Yea! Gary, Little Debbie, John, Jan, Lane, Boyd, and a
few others all had taken the class - all quick to action. The
others? Very high interest in the class!
I'll call Gary and make sure this is still on
schedule, but let me just say - one of the best things this group
has done in some time! Nice to ride with a group that has been
through the class.
Mark
Dear
Tony & Vicki:
I'd
like to share a brief story about how your class helped me
save someone’s life this weekend. With bikes in the rented
cube van Donnie
and I were headed back when just outside Beloit a piece of guard
rail was in
the middle of the right lane. Looking further we saw a car that
had just
crashed through it and was upside down on the rail. I promptly
stopped a
safe distance away and called 911 while we ran toward the car
with flash
light and fire extinguisher in hand. There was someone trapped
in the
mangled wreckage and he was unconscious. We surveyed the seen
for more
victims, removed the debris from the roadway and told the 911
dispatcher
enough information that an ambulance was on the seen before the
cops. Flight
for life was there before we left (20 min.). I don't know if the
guy
survived for sure but I know he wouldn't have if I hadn't been
able
to relay the proper information to the dispatcher. I know this
wasn't a
motorcycle accident, but the simple things I learned at your class
made a
difference. Thanks!
Dave
“Chubby” Charleblois, Public Relations Director –
ABATE of Wisconsin
5/5/05
I have
taken several first-aid classes, CPR classes over the years and
also had training as a life guard and none of these classes prepared
me for an accident scene as much as the Accident Scene Management
Courses.
Accident
details:
I took Accident Scene Management courses on May 15, 16th 2004
and the following accident happened on May 24th, 2004.
Within
two weeks of taking the Accident Scene Management course, I was
on vacation traveling through southeastern Ohio and came upon
an accident. I was about the 3rd vehicle on the scene. As soon
as I parked my motorcycle I heard sirens in the distance, which
was a relieving sound. I pulled my first aid kit out of my saddle
bag. If I had not been at the course two weeks earlier I would
not have had my first aid kit which I purchased at the Accident
Scene Management class. The kit was very hand being in a fanny
pak, as I was able to move toward the accident while I was putting
on my gloves.
There
was a Semi truck driver who had gotten to the scene before me
but was just sitting in his truck. I asked him to walk back adn
stop traffic farther back fromteh accident and to make sure the
road was kept clear for EMS vehicles to get in.
As I
approached the scene it was obvious it was a very bad two car
head-on collision. There was a frantic woman holding her two-year-old
standing otuside the car crying on a cell phone; they both seemed
to be OK. I also noticed a car seat several yards from the car.
In Car A was the husband of the woman, and her father. Initial
survey found her father to have no pulse, and her husband the
driver of Car A seemed to be conscious and mumbling. Car B only
had a driver who had no pulse.
This
is when the EMS arrived (two ambulances and a fire truck) which
was only about 1 minute after I had gotten to the scene. I told
them what I had found and they immediately called for another
ambulance and then took control of the scene.
At this
point I took a few seconds to catch my breath and take in the
situation. If I had not taken the class I probably would have
moved away from the scene at this point. Because of the class
I stuck around looking for something I could help out with, without
getting in the way of EMS. At some point I also mentioned to EMS
that the 2 year old was in a car seat at which point they immediately
went over to check her out, and shortly thereafter sent the mother
and 2 year old to the hospital.
The
following are some of the things I was able to help EMS with.
Get a gurney down near the car which was in the ditch. The driver
of Car A was complaining of being thirsty, so the EMT asked me
to run to the ambulance and ask for something I don't recall the
name but basically it was just water with electrolyted. Later
I held an IV bag freeing up the EMS person to do something else.
Later when they needed to bust out a window, I helped cover the
victims with a blanket. At this point they were trying to extract
the driver of Car A so I moved away from the scene to not be in
their way. There also didn't seem to be much at this point I could
help with. Deposited my gloved in a pile of used gloves near the
ambulance.
I then
talked to a State Patrol officer about what I had initially seen.
He didn't seem to care about what I had to say, didn't even care
to get my name even when I had mentioned that I had had the course.
At this point I felt exhausted. It was about 95 degrees out. So
I went back to my cycle to rest and drink some water. I snapped
two pictures and then watched for awhile.
All
this seemed like it took about 4 hours, however it was really
only about a little over an hour. I then left the scene to continue
on my vacation. The rest of my trip I was very careful on two
lane roads, riding more to the outside of the lane because of
seeing the head-on collision.
-Robert
Zieroth
Hi Vicki,
I'm sorry for the informality of the greeting but after our class
yesterday, it almost seems that we met. I took the class that
was run by Gail Riley and her husband, David, at the Whittier
Rehabilitation Center in Westborough, MA. I wanted to let you
know they did an AWESOME job of putting on the class. A friend
of mine that also took the class has already put his review of
the course on the delphiforums website that connects groups of
riders together and he has recommended that everyone should take
this class also.
I've also requested some time from the state director of motorcycle
rider education at the MSF Instructor update next weekend to tell
my fellow MSF instructors about the course. I believe that this
program, along with MSF training, is a huge step that we can take
toward reducing the recent increases in motorcycle fatalities.
Thanks for a great program.
Todd Ryan
Hudson, MA
MSF Instructor #107812
Bystander
Assistance Class – Six Months Later
This
year our chapter provided the Bystander Assistance Program to
our members. The closing words, “We hope you never have
to use it …,” still rings in my ears. Never in my
wildest dreams would I ever imagine I’d be at two accident
scenes 24 days apart! The knowledge obtained from this class gave
me the skills to have an effect on the outcome of these accidents.
I’d
like to share the crucial lessons I’ve learned from these
recent motorcycle accidents as a bystander at the scene. As a
passenger, one must realize you’ll be the first to a crash
site because the driver will be parking the bike and getting the
first aid kit. LOOK BEFORE YOU RUN! Do not run to the victim before
ensuring your own safety. Identify yourself and tell them you
are going to help them. Ask their name immediately! This helps
in decreasing the anxiety and will establish a 1:1 interaction
with the victim as you continue to use their name and obtain additional
information. I feel it is critical that at all times you carry
two pairs of non-latex gloves and a compact CPR barrier on you.
Your ability to react is directly proportionate to the supplies
you have available.
First
aid kits need to be assessable, location and/or bag identified
by a red cross and on the high side (opposite to kick stand) of
the bike. Two reflective vests should be secured to this bag for
immediate access to wear to control traffic. A driver should not
go to the scene without the first aid kit. Also, if a driver has
a passenger they need to be ready to throw that first aid kit
to his/her passenger as that passenger heads to the crash site.
This is why it’s so important to have the first aid kit
assessable & consistently located at the same place on the
bike! A pen and index cards in this kit can be used to gather
names and phone numbers of potential witnesses or the medical
information of the victim. I strongly urge you to have an emergency
blanket in your first aid kit.
One
person should take charge and give people tasks if they’re
available. Tell the person you send to call EMS to return so you
know the call has been made. You may be asked to notify the other
groups on the ride of the accident while others are controlling
traffic or attending to the victims. Therefore, every driver in
a group should obtain the cell phone numbers of the Road Captains
because not all cell phones work in certain areas. Be prepared
to help with the transportation of the motorcycle to a dealership
near the victim’s home. An injured driver’s second
question asked is, “How’s my bike?” Knowing
someone is taking care of it will allow them to focus on their
own recovery and transportation home. A bike transportation company
phone number should be on YOUR Medical Information Card. This
allows others to assist you in the pick up and delivery of your
bike and enables you to help others.
The
bystanders controlling traffic wear reflective vests, while those
attending the injured wear gloves. Wearing this equipment identifies
you to the professionals as knowledgeable bystanders who can assist
them. They will know that you have training by how you conduct
yourself. Wear gloves!
Ensure
that YOU carry your own Medical Information Card on you next to
your driver’s license and medical insurance card. Let the
riders in your group know this. Update the medication, emergency
contact and phone numbers frequently.
The
objective of this article is to share the key points I’ve
learned from this experience. My hope is to see the chapter members
I ride with a) carry a medical information card, b) obtain a first
aid kit, and c) attend the Bystander Assistant Program. We all
need to be surrounded by riders who are Bystander Assistance Certified.
I am thankful to be associated with a chapter that offered this
program to me six months ago. It provided me the knowledge on
how to prevent further injury, how to assess the situation, how
to contact EMS and how to treat with life sustaining care. Having
the confidence of knowing what to do for a chapter member and
a friend is beyond words or describable.
Information
on the Bystander Assistance Program and classes can be obtained
on the Web Page: www.accidentscene.net.
Michigan
Class Contact: Tammy Horie, email blader8086@att.net , 248-887-0460
and Sandy Clark @ Washtenaw Community College, phone 734-973-3543.
Emergency
blankets and first aid kits can be purchased at Meijer’s,
camping supply stores and www.masune.com.
Sports
Associates in Missouri @ 1-800-821-4709 is a possible choice for
a bike transportation company which provides national service.
Sincerely,
Sandy Melow
Vicki
& Tony, its been a week now since taking your class at wilwerts
and I have to send a note thanking you for a great class. I was
a police officer in dbq for 28 years and a first responder and
I must say that I got more from your class in 2 days than I think
I truly learned in any previous classes I have had. I think your
teaching techniques and hands on teaching make it sink in better
than just lecturing and giving tests. I'll end for now and wish
you a good and hopefully short winter so we can get back on the
scoots and ride. BOB STEINMANN
Vicki
and Tony,
I just
wanted to take a moment and tell you two how much I enjoyed the
Advanced class last weekend. More than that, I want to let you
know how much I appreciate the work and dedication you have put
into the program. I can only imagine how draining it must be to
study and prepare the class, acquire and load up all the stuff,
then shlep it halfway across the Midwest, only to do the same
class twice in two days and drive all the way back home. I was
tired after just taking the class!
It is
an honor and a blessing to have made your acquaintance, both of
you, and I truly appreciate the mission you are on. Best wishes
for a great and prosperous future, you certainly deserve it.
Sincerely,
Chris Edmonds "Showbiz"
Motor City HOG
Thanks
for everything on the WIM ride it was great and I think we all
had a
wonderful trip. I just wanted to relay a crash experience I had
in Sturgis
this past week.
Thanks to your class I did have my first aid kit with me in the
saddle bag.
We were riding out to Mt Rushmore when we came upon a crash, I
don't know
what happened except two bikes collided and both crashed (4 people).
When we
got to the area there were about 6 - 8 people standing around
the injured
basically not knowing what to do, 911 had been called. We pulled
over and I
grabbed my kit and ran to the scene. When I said I had medical
supplies and
could help everyone pretty much backed away. I determined everyone
was
breathing and there was no obvious major trauma to anyone.
After I started putting pressure on the worst victims wounds (head
and face)
other bystanders grabbed the gloves and supplies from my kit and
started
helping out too. Luckily I had already added extra gloves and
more 4 x 4s
etc. so there were plenty of supplies to go around. We ended up
needing the
trauma scissors to cut off jeans and neck wraps to further access
his
injuries the Sheriff dept arrived about 10 minutes later followed
by the
Paramedics in about 10 more minutes.
The one injured person was transported to the hospital and the
other three
ended up being OK as far as I know. The paramedics were nice enough
to
volunteer to restock my kit in case we needed it again, thankfully
we did
not use it again during the Sturgis week.
I thought you would like to hear about the experience, thanks
to your class
I had what I needed to help and everyone was OK in the end. Thank
you!
I do have a couple
suggestions for future classes, Encourage people to
purchase the bigger kits!!! Mine was one of the medium to small
size ones
because I thought that was about all that would fit in the saddle
bags I
have. I had added several extra items to it. We really did use
about
everything I had on just one person, especially the 4x4s, gloves
and the
saline wash. Linda Schmal
Dear Vickie
Well, it finally happened. Ever since we took your class in the
very early spring I had hoped I would never have to use the kit
we purchased. Well, today it happened. We were at a picnic, enjoying
the lovely weather, and a friend came up to me while I was in
the process of devouring a hotdog. She asked me if I had my safety
kit with me ( I have always carried this kit in my saddlebag since
the date of purchase) and I thought she just wanted to show it
to someone since earlier that day I had told some people of the
benefits of your class. This was not the case. It seems a fellow
rider had failed to negotiate a turn at the park and had some
wounds that needed dressing. When I got to her, she had road rash
from her elbow to her axilla bilaterally. In addition she also
had road rash and abrasions from her upper right abdomen to her
right pelvis crest. She seemed to be able to move all her extremities
ok, and had even managed to pick up her bike and drive to the
picnic site. Of major concern, was the fact that she didn't remember
the ride after the crash and was experiencing "floaters"
in her right eye. After dressing the wounds, she reluctantly agreed
to go to the ER for evaluation. We have yet to hear how she is
doing.
After your class, I feel so much better prepared for something
like this and want to thank you for having the seminars that you
do. One thing, I found it would be helpful if the kits had triple
antibiotic cream ( something like Bactroban) instead of the ointment.
I found that ointment was harder to apply to her woulds and a
cream may have been easier to work with.
As an LPN, after your class, I was inspired to pursue further
education and complete my RN training. It is a long road ahead,
but I feel it will be an interesting one.....................................................................Thanks
Again!!! Mary from Iowa.
----- Original Message
-----
From: Daryl C. Coons, Jr.
To: jessica@roadbikemag.com
Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2004 9:39 AM
Subject: Re: Asmi
Jessica,
I just read your REDLINE editorial, and Vicki Roberts-Sanfelipo's
article: ABCs Of Trauma (August 2004). I, too, took one of Vicki's
courses on Accident Scene Management this past February. It was
a great and very informative course. I took the instructors course.
As a law enforcement officer with 33+ progressive years experience
with a number of departments, an EMT with 16-years experience,
and a bike rider since 1967, this course and program fit exactly
into what I do and my personal interests.
Having been in a major motorcycle crash in 1968 where the auto
driver turned across our path), this course and these articles
were of great personal interest to me. I received a dislocated
right hip and crushed right foot, and my partner received a cerebral
con-cushion from this accident. I had complete recovery from this
accident.
When I took Vicki's Accident Scene Management instructor's course,
there were several other riders who are likewise involved in safety
and after-care areas also in attendance. There were other EMTs,
Paramedics, ER Nurses, Neuro-Trauma Nurses, and a fire department
Lieutenant, etc. They came from West Virginia, Georgia, California,
Alaska, Montana, as well as Wisconsin, and some other areas I
can't think of right now.
The course(s) that Vicki presents are very professional in their
support and guidance. They are well thought out in their format
and are easy to follow. Vicki presents an open forum that is easy
to follow, open to dicussion and comments. Vicki's long years
of experience, both as a rider and as a Nurse and an EMT, go a
long way to make this course directly 'on point' to what we, as
riders, want and need.
I highly recommend that any, and all riders who are serious about
their riding and safety take this course. I know that it has helped
other riders at the times it was needed. Taking Vicki' course(s),
along with the MSF Rider's Course, are two of the most important
things you can do.
Well, I'm outta here..........we're going riding........
Daryl C. Coons, Jr.
Assistant Police Chief
Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Police
Sent by Virginia Oakes, Georgia re: Crash
on April 24, 2004
Robert and I rode in the 24th annual police memorial ride. I
wore my ASMI shirt for advertisement and there were at least a
thousand bikes there from all over Georgia. After the ride, when
we were leaving the park, we saw several bikes parked on the side
of the road along with one police car and could see that they
were helping someone. I got my first aid kit off the back of the
bike (keep it where you keep yours) and went over. There were
2 victims, single bike accident. 911 had been called. It involved
a father and his 9 year old daughter. The father had multiple
abrasions, cuts and a possible left leg fracture. Two bystanders
were tending to him. He was alert. I looked at the second victim
and she was a 9yr old girl, two bystanders with her. She was talking,
crying but in more distress. I choose to stay with the 9 yr old.
Airway and breathing were intact, assisted the first bystander
who had control of the c-spine. 2nd bystander maintained gentle
traction on left arm (upper and lower arm fractures). EMS arrived;
one EMT went to the right side and just held the little girl’s
right hand and talked to her. The other EMT assessed the situation,
called for another ambulance for the father, came by me (I think
he saw my shirt) and did a quick head to toe assessment. We splinted
her left arm, radial pulse intact, pink nail beds w/good refill.
Then with the assistance of a couple of police/firefighters that
had arrived by then we placed her on a back board, and taped her
down. She was wearing a ¾ helmet. They put rolls on either
side of the helmet and taped in place to backboard and loaded
her on the stretcher and into the ambulance. By this point we
had determine injuries/possible injuries to be: multiple closed
fractures on left arm, possible pelvic fracture, possible right
femur fracture. The little girl stayed alert, no problems with
breathing, bilateral chest rise, skin color pink, pupils equal,
good pulses in extremities. The EMT in charge decided to call
Life Flight and have her air lifted to Children’s Healthcare.
The other ambulance/EMT’s arrived and were getting the father
ready for transport when we loaded the little girl into the first
ambulance.
Things I wish I had: a Sam splint and ace wrap. I know when I
was there you had a Sam splint and another type you were looking
at. I want to talk to you about them and get one adult and one
pediatric. Wish I had had a small notepad of some type, but I
have put a “post it” pad in my pack. I am thinking
I could stick post it notes to the person or in her case right
on her helmet.
EMS did not have a splint that would fit her little arm either
but they had something made out of cardboard so we used MY trauma
shears and cut the cardboard to fit and ace wrapped it. Overall,
it was a good experience. I can think of things to do different
next time and things that made me feel good about my role. EMS
treated me as a part of their team. I immediately put on my gloves
and offered gloves to the 2 bystanders with the little girl. Both
refused, there was little blood but still….I just laid the
baggie of gloves where they could see and get some if they changed
their minds. Robert told me later that one of the ladies husbands
was mad ‘because his wife did not have gloves.
Vicki’s response:
Amazing that those who are trained are often placed in this type
of situation. So glad you had some supplies eh? Sounds like it
was a good thing you were there. Amazing how you can work side
by side with the EMS when prepared....
Re: something to write on: you should have had your PACT card
and a pen in the front pocket of your bag.Re: a splint, the Sam
splint is quite large, about the size of a large can of stewed
tomatoes. I've never seen a pediatric Sam splint. The Sam splint
runs $15.00. The new one we found is a "rolled wire splint"
about 1/2 the size of a deck of cards. It is quite long and can
be cut easily to size. I use the roll gauze to hold in place.
It is only $5.00.
Virginia’s turn:
I did have my PACT card, just failed to use it. But you are right
??I have to tell you, ASMI has put the “ER bug” back
in my blood…..
After everything was over and we got back on the bike and headed
home, I replayed everything in my head. It struck me, I was not
the only person there with the little girl on Saturday, YOU and
Colleen were both there with me as I kept hearing things you have
said in my head. Now you are going to think I am crazy, but on
Friday night we decided to do the Police ride because I saw it
on the Gold Wing website. I called the Woodstock chapter and ask
if we could ride with them. After that, I went out to the bike
and made sure my first aid kit was secure. I had to get up at
5:45 a.m. Saturday morning to get ready and for us to meet the
GW group at 7:30 a.m. On Saturday morning I had a feeling I needed
to be prepared for something. When we got to the ride start point
there were plenty of EMT’s/Ambulances everywhere and all
the way down to the final destination they had them staggered.
I told myself I was being silly, if something happen EMS would
be right there and I would need to stay out of the way. However,
there was not one single ambulance at the destination site. I
looked around because it was hot, we were on black top, people
were in leather and there were some old folks. I remember thinking,
what would I do if one of these folks had a sudden cardiac arrest?
Is there an AED around? I decided one of the police cars surely
had an AED. So, yes it is truly amazing that things happen the
way they do.
Sandy
Breise, Wisc. – crash attended April 24, 2004
To refresh you who
this is, our girls Lisa and Beth and my husband Ron and I come
to the Women in Motion Ride. I wanted to let you know that I was
glad I refreshed myself with the Bystander Assistance Course in
Sheboygan.
This past Saturday our chapter put on a big group ride. Our middle
daughter Lisa and myself were blockers on the ride. Ron was the
lead blocker and so was further ahead on the ride. Lisa and I
came upon an accident. I felt a responsibility to stop and see
what I could do to help. Lisa blocked the road before the accident
scene until the police took that over. The accident happened because
a bunch of bikes were too close going through a curve. Thus there
were two separate accidents in this curve. The first biker for
some reason hit the gravel and the bike went over in the ditch.
Upon coming to the scene the lady passenger was lying in the ditch
being comforted by her male partner. Her injury was not that severe
(hurt her knee). The second accident in the curve, for some reason
the driver watched the first bike go into the ditch thus he ended
up overcorrected his Buell and tipped his bike over. The driver
was lying on the road and not hurt as severe as his female passenger.
I believe he had contusions to his legs. The lady passenger was
also in the road and was attended to by another lady. (Found out
later this lady passenger had a couple of cracked ribs.) She was
starting to fade out. I tried to do as many odds and ends as possible.
I felt strong because of the knowledge you and Tony gave us. I
had heard when I first come to the injured parties there was a
nurse and an EMT attending them. Later on I talked to the lady
that was attending the lady passenger with the cracked ribs. She
told me she is a surgical nurse. I told her I took the Bystander
Assistance Course and a former surgical nurse taught it. She asked
if that was you and I said yes. She told me her name is Peggy
and she worked with you in Wausau. She also helped you with the
first video for the Bystander Assistance Course. What a small
world. Ron said we will put a plug in to our chapter to host a
class as I saw a lot of bikers not just from our chapter but from
the ride standing around, probably not sure of what to do.
Vicki’s response:
Thanks so much for telling me about this. That is so cool that
you saw Peggy! I haven't seen her for years but have certainly
not forgotten her!
Student
of Colleen Vetere - Charlotte, North Carolina
Here's the incident:
A young man was in
the middle of the pavement on a service road next to the Cone
Blvd parking garage. There were about 10-15 people nearby, traffic
could not get through as a car and some people were blocking the
road...there was no danger of another accident as I saw it. We
pulled over to the curb, I grabbed my bag, and went to the immediate
scene.
Someone had called
9-1-1 and they were responding. There was another young
man sitting on the curb head-in-hands. He didn't look injured
but I was told later he was the driver.
Another young man (I
believe he and the victim were both students) was next to the
victim's head and two lengthy streams of blood were running down
the pavement from his head as he lied on his back. I grabbed a
pair of gloves and opened a sterile pad as I asked what happened.
He had been walking on the pavement and a "truck" (actually
a small SUV)
struck him. The other guy said he had a head injury and he thought
a broken right leg. The victim was conscious, responsive and in
obvious pain.
I went to his head
and stabilized it. There was a sweatshirt on the pavement around
his head...I wasn't sure if it was under his head or not. I took
the pad and tried to find the bleeding, but it was in the back
of his head, so I decided just to hold his head and not lift it
to cover the bleeding with the pad for fear of moving his neck
too much. He was moaning and saying his head hurt really bad.
I asked his (the victims)
name (Michael) and he asked who I was. I told him a motorcycle
rider just passing by named Dan. I asked him what hurt and he
said his head and his right leg. The leg was resting on the pavement
in a not-too-unusual position and there was no visible bleeding,
so I decided to just leave it there as it was.
I asked the victim
what happened and he said he was walking on the street, heard
the truck, and was hit "head on." It would seem, based
on where the truck was and where he was, that the truck was behind
him and he turned just in time to be struck by it.
A girl came up and
said she was EMT-trained. I offered her some gloves, which she
used, and she took his pulse. She said nothing and did nothing
else that I noticed.
I noticed his shirt
was rolled up to his neck, so I told the guy next to me to roll
it down to keep him warm (I didn't have a mylar blanket in my
bag...I will next time). There were no other visible injuries.
His breathing was controlled and he remained conscious, but in
obvious pain, until the EMTs and police arrived. I stayed at his
head as the EMT got down next to him and took the place of the
other young guy at my side. The EMT told his colleague to "put
some traction on him" and that guy came around to near me
and I
backed away from my spot on his head, but there were no verbal
instructions one way or the other. In any case his head was immobile,
so I thought there wasn't much more I could do.
I turned to the girl
who had the gloves (both hers and mine were blood-stained). I
put my left one in my right hand and had her put her pair in my
right hand. I removed the right one so it was inside-out over
the other three gloves. The EMTs were busy so I asked a police
officer
where to dispose of them. He said on the ground at the stern of
the ambulance and I complied. The officer asked f I had witnessed
the accident and I told him no. I pointed out the young man who
was at the victim's side when I arrived and he went over to him.
Ennie and I left.
I am very thankful for the course taken a month ago. Keeping the
head immobilized, assessing the scene for any dangers, having
the gloves and pads handy, trying to recognize any other injuries,
keeping him warm...thank you both.
Looking back on it
I know I did some things wrong:
1. I had a camera and did not nor did I have Ennie take pictures
of the scene
2. I never really gave anyone my full name, but then again, no
one asked
I'd really like that
honest critique. There are surely some other things I could have
done
or didn't think of doing and I'd like to know what they are.
Dan Jones
"Just thought
I'd share this experience with the rest of you. Those of you who
have not had the Bystander Assistance Class - Please try and sign
up for it. It is well worth it!!
Today, returning home after doing a favor for a friend, I was
on west bound 696 around Farmington Road. About three cars in
front of me, I saw a lot of snow, and junk being tossed into the
air from the inside lane. I immediately slowed down (from 70 mph)
and saw a car disabled headed in the wrong direction, smashed
up against the median. No one else had stopped. I pulled out in
front of him and pulled over to the median as close as I could.
Put my emergency blinkers on and got out of the car. The man in
the car was badly shaken up - he said another car had hit him,
causing him to spin out and hit the median, and he was hurting.
I went back to my car, got my cell phone and called 911 - reported
a spin out with possible serious injury and the location. I then
grabbed a blanket I keep in the car and went back to the man who
was hurt. He wanted to get out of the car and stand up. I told
him it was very important that he not move at all especially his
head and neck. I covered him up with my blanket while he was still
seated in the car, turned off the ignition and tried to hold his
head stationary until help arrived. One man stopped - saw things
were fairly under control and went ahead - a woman stopped, identified
herself as a Doctor and asked what she thought were impertinent
questions. I already knew that the man's back was hurting and
I didn't' want him to move. The Doctor told me that was good -
and to continue holding his head. 20 Minutes later, another man
stopped - identified himself as a fireman and asked what had happened
- told him I did not see what happened just stopped to help if
I could. He told me - keep holding his head. The man in the car
kept thanking me and telling me to be careful because of traffic
- I told him not to worry that I had a few Guardian Angels with
me - then he said - yes, he had one too - but didn't know her
name - Me!!! Shortly after all that, the Fire Department arrived,
I continued to hold the man's head until I was told to move. I
got out of the way and waited. One Fireman said - Who are you?
Told him I was a bystander - just offering help. Said I had a
little first aid education and was recently trained as a Bystander
Assistant - with Accident Scene Management. He said OK , I'm pretty
sure he didn't know what that was! Then went about his job. Few
minutes later, they passed my blanket back to me - and said it
was OK now - I could leave. I said OK - and turned to walk back
to my car. My thanks?? As I walked away, the Fireman yelled back
at me, "Hey Lady - Good Job!" No, the man was not wearing
a helmet, No he was not on a motorcycle - but he was a motorist
in need - and I was a Bystander. Thanks to the bit of training
I have picked up, I knew what to do. Apparently I did it right!
So at this point - I want to thank Tammy as she is our Instructor
in Michigan - and Vickie - Our trainer from Wisconsin for teaching
me what to do.
YOU JUST NEVER KNOW !!!!!"
"Just wanted to
let you know Willie and I came upon an accident out at
Sturgis this summer. My first!
It was mid afternoon
on Friday, Aug 1 on 14A between Sturgis and Deadwood.
Willie and I were riding west toward Deadwood. As we rounded a
corner there
were a lot of vehicles stopped along the opposite side of the
road and I
think I remembered seeing a bike down along the guard rail. By
the time we
got pulled over we were about 50-70 yards past where the bike
was, but as it
turned out we had stopped directly across the road from where
the victims
had landed. A father (39) and his son (13) were riding two up,
hit the
guard rail and were thrown over the rail. The bike continued along
the rail
for about 70 yards before coming to a stop on the shoulder. The
father and
son had landed fairly close to each other, within about 10 yards,
and maybe
15 yards past the guard rail.
The father had a number
of injuries, and was laying on his stomach. Right
femur (upper leg) broken. Left arm broken between the shoulder
and elbow.
Significant gash in his forehead, and teeth knocked out. Along
with misc.
abrasions on his abdomen, and a puncture injury on his left buttocks.
The son was laying
on his back. His helmet had been removed by the time we
got there. He had a scrape on his forehead, and no other apparent
injuries.
Turned out his right arm was broken. His Uncle and Aunt were with
him as we
attended to his dad.
Both parties were conscious
and alert. Neither recalled losing
consciousness. There was no excessive visual bleeding on either.
It took about 20 minutes
+ for the EMTs to arrive. Considerable problems
getting through on cell phones....and getting confirmation that
contact had
been made, re: people leaving saying they would call, but not
coming back to
lets us know if they got through. A lot of people stopped and
willing to direct
traffic if asked. EMTs seemed glad to have the help. Backboarding,
lifting, supporting broken limbs, etc.....asked if we were trained
(EMTs?).
I found the experience
very emotional. Especially with a parent/child being
involved. Both Willie and I had it on our minds for more than
a few days.
Thanks to you and Tony
for the training that made us feel like we could stop
and do what needs to be done until better qualified people arrive.
I have
to admit that I follow Willie's lead as we dive into these situations.
Didn't use much in
the way of supplies. About a doz 4x4 squares, a space
blanket, a bottle of sterile water, and a few pair of gloves.
Cor and Willie (The
rest of our week was more relaxing....) "
Note
from Vicki - Cor and Willie not only took the class but hosted
two classes in the Mpls/St. Paul area for other motorcyclists.
Willie is an RN/motorcyclist.
"Dear Vicki: We
used our ASMI skills for the first time!!! We were up in Mountain,
WI with the boys and my sister's family and we were doing some
serious off road 4 wheeling on what they call the pipe line area
of the state back in the natural forest area. Great area for off
rode 4 wheeling, etc. Sunday we were going w/the truck to do some
more climbing, etc and came upon an accident.
A girl in her mid twenties and her boyfriend went into a big ditch
(where they were supposed to be for 4 wheeling), however, they
didn't have seat belts on and hit nose first real hard in a downward
motion and the gal (passenger) went head first right up into the
frame of the front of the truck and cut her forehead wide open.
Her friends had just pulled her from the truck and had her laying
down w/feet up and bandage/shirts, etc on her injury with slight
pressure just as they should have and someone was already calling
for help from a cell phone. The guy that was calling 911 and who
had her laying down just took a course of some sort in the last
month as well. By the time we (Kurt and I) got up to her from
a few hundred feet back, people were getting pretty worked up
. We had gloves on and went straight to work. (I told myself before
I left home w/the boys and Kurt) that I wasn't going without my
big first aid kit. Anyway, when we got to her I did a full assessment
on the gal while Kurt went to work taking info, name, phone #,
medication, allergies, etc. Her boyfriend was holding the bandage
on her head and was supporting her head w/his body but he was
pretty upset so I took over holding her head after finishing her
assessment. Kurt meanwhile worked on getting the other off road
trucks cleared out to get the EMT'S in. We weren't sure at that
time if the EMT's were even going to be able to get back in where
we were in an area strictly filled w/off road obstacles, ditches,
mud, rocks, hills, etc. Kurt and I rolled her at one point to
get something under her head as her head was on a cold, wet, muddy
surface and she was starting to freak a little bit. We got jackets
and a blanket from some folks because she started freezing and
shaking quite a bit. We couldn't believe how the people were willing
to just follow our requests for the simple things. Two times she
started (what seemed like) hyper-ventillating real hard and both
times I just leaned over while holding her head and told her to
breath slow deep breaths and just try to relax as help was on
it's way and that seemed to help calm her down and her breathing
went back to normal. Both Kurt and I were guessing if she had
to wait a lot longer that she might go into shock. We were pretty
sure that she might be getting real close to that already.
We were with her close to 40 minutes before the EMT's made it
in. The EMT's were WONDERFUL! One of the EMT's (a gal) took over
my position, and the other one started her on oxygen. The 3rd
EMT started getting the board out. They totally kept us involved
and in there helping them. We had ALL of the info in writing that
they needed. One of the EMT's just let the other two EMTs, Kurt
and I get her secured on the long board and then in the "bucket"
for the board that attached to their 4 wheel off road vehicle
for transport to the main road. It actually took probably 40-45
minutes for the EMT's to get back there to transport from the
time the actual accident took place. Kurt and I were probably
there within 5 minutes of the accident from where we were. The
biggest impact our training had that we could see by being there
is that the entire crowd seemed to feel more relaxed and comforted
by our presence if nothing else. We really didn't do anything
above and beyond what could have been done by someone else, but
you'd think we miracle workers by the reaction of everyone.
The entire time I could see you (Vicki), in my mind just telling
me step by step what to do next. I really think she might have
gone into worse shock if we weren't t
