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HYPOTHERMIA |
DISLOCATION |
BLEEDING |
FROSTBITE |
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HEAT EXHAUSTION |
SHOCK |
HEAT STROKE |
BUST COLLAR BONE |
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It's only common sense that you
should have some understanding of
first-aid if you are undertaking a
mountain bike ride which involves
rough terrain. Groups of riders
stand a bigger chance of crashing
into each other, so why not learn
some of the basic first-aid tips.
You never know it may one day save
someone's life, or even yours.
DID YOU KNOW >'6' short
blasts on a whistle, followed by one
minute's silence is the recognised
sound for International Distress
Signals. Now the next time you
venture out on a ride, take a new
friend with you, a whistle.! strap
it to your kit.
'It could save a life' |
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HYPOTHERMIA
>
Exposure Is The Most Common Cause For Rescue
Call-Outs: |
* WHAT
TO DO NEXT *
 STOP,
Do not carry on in the vain attempt of
finding shelter.
Warp the victim in extra clothing & put
them in a survival bag.
(with someone else if possible)
Warm up the victim with body heat & a
warm drink if possible.
Easy to digest foods like energy gel
will help provided the victim is not to
drowsy.
Cheer the victim up low moral is a
contributory factor.
Rest the victim for prolonged periods.
(If in doubt about victims ability to
recover send for help)
Do not: Rub the victim to restore
blood circulation.
Do not: Give the victim alcohol
it may cause collapse.
In extreme cases the victims sometimes
stop breathing so be prepared to give
mouth-to-mouth, & if the victims lose
consciousness place them in the recovery
position.
Seek medical help:
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LOOK OUT FOR
Complaints of fatigue
Visual abnormalities
Lethargy
Lack of interest
Cold Clammy skin
Skin pale in colour
Slurred speech
Cramps
Clumsiness
Odd behaviour
Out of character actions
Collapse |
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FROSTBITE
>
Long Downhill's And Winds In The Winter Are
Common Causes: |
* WHAT
TO DO NEXT *
STOP,
Do not carry on riding.
Warm the affected area with additional
body heat only.
Toes & hands are commonly affected areas
& can be placed in the armpits or
crotch.
Face can be covered with dry gloved
hands.
Remove rings, watches, boots etc to
ensure free blood flow.
Do not: rub the affected area.
Do not: apply heat from an
artificial source.
Do not: use a revitalized limb or
the affected tissue will tear.
Seek medical help:
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LOOK OUT FOR
Prickling pains
Numbness
Skin may discolour
Skin may go blue
Skin may go white
Skin may feel hard |
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HEAT
EXHAUSTION
>
Common During Periods Of Sustained Hard
Work: |
*
WHAT TO DO NEXT *
STOP,
Do not carry on riding.
Shade the victim
(find a cool spot & lay the victim
down)
Apply cold drinks of water
(slightly salted & with sugar if
possible will help)
Seek medical help:
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LOOK OUT FOR
Pale & sweaty skin
Complaints of dizziness
Fatigue & headache
Cramps
Rapid but weak pulse
Shallow
breathing
Fainting |
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HEAT
STROKE
>
This Is Server Heat Exhaustion: |
*
WHAT TO DO NEXT *
STOP,
Do not carry on riding.
Cool the victim down by placing them in
the shade & removing clothing.
Bathe the victims body in water until
their body temperature drops & they
appear to recover.
Seek medical help immediately:
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LOOK OUT FOR
Restlessness
Often
passing of urine
Complaints of dizziness
Complaints of headache
Hot flushed dry skin
Rapid strong pulse
Fainting |
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SHOCK
>This Is Present In Almost All Cases Of
Traumatic Accidents: |
* WHAT
TO DO NEXT *
STOP,
Do not carry on riding.
Reassure the victim, External bleeding
or other injuries should be treated
simultaneously.
Lie
the victim down & keep warm, avoid
unnecessary movement.
Turn the victims head to one side &
raise the feet, loosen tight clothing.
Do not: Give food or drink to the
victim.
Do not: Apply heat from an
artificial source.
Do not: Allow the victim to
smoke.
Seek medical help immediately:
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LOOK OUT FOR
Pale & pallid skin
Especially the lips
Rapid weak pulse
Rapid shallow breathing
Cold sweaty skin
Complaints of dizziness
Blurred
vision
Restlessness
Yawning
Pronounced sighing
Fainting |
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DISLOCATION
>
Elbows, Shoulders, & Knee Joints All Take A
Pounding: |
* WHAT
TO DO NEXT *
STOP,
Do not carry on riding.
Support the injured limb in a
comfortable position.
Do not: Move the injured limb.
(twisting & turning)
Do not: Move the injured joint or
limb unnecessarily.
Seek medical help immediately:
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LOOK OUT FOR
Deformity of the joint
Joints
don't match up
Swelling around the joint
Lack of mobility
Severe pain with a joint |
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BUST
COLLAR BONE
>
The Most Common Mountain Biking Fracture: |
* WHAT
TO DO NEXT *
STOP,
Do not carry on riding.
Position arm of injured side with
fingers up towards the opposite
shoulder.
Palm flat against the body.
(so far as the victim will allow)
Place soft padding between the upper arm
& body.
Support the arm in some kind of sling.
(with the good shoulder)
Do not: Move the injured joint or
limb unnecessarily.
Seek medical help immediately:
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LOOK OUT FOR
Supporting
injury
Arm against the body
Head leaning to injury
Lack of mobility
Swelling on shoulder |
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BLEEDING
>
This Occurs After Deep Incision Or
Laceration In The Skin: |
* WHAT
TO DO NEXT *
STOP,
Do not carry on riding.
Aim
to control the bleeding & minimize the
risk of infection.
Expose the wound & look for foreign
bodies.
Apply direct pressure to control blood
loss.
(use your fingers or palm)
If
no dressing is available use your own
kit or the victims or hands.
If
the bleeding continues, do not remove
the dressing apply new dressing on top
of the old.
Do not: Apply indirect pressure
for any longer than 10 minutes.
Seek medical help immediately:
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LOOK OUT FOR
Evidence of blood loss
Symptoms of shock
Signs of shock
Victim feeling faint
Face & lips pale
Skin feels cold
Skin feels clammy
Pulse faster but weaker
Complaining
of thirst. |
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