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HYPOTHERMIA
Exposure Is The Most
Common Cause For Rescue Call-Outs:
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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:
Top of page |
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LOOK OUT
FOR |
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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:
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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:
Top of page |
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LOOK OUT
FOR |
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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:
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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:
Top of page |
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LOOK OUT
FOR |
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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:
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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:
Top of page |
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LOOK OUT
FOR |
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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:
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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:
Top of page |
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LOOK OUT
FOR |
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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:
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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:
Top of page |
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LOOK OUT
FOR |
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Deformity of the
joint
Joints
don't match up
Swelling around
joints
Lack of mobility
Severe pain with
a joint |
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BUST COLLAR BONE
The Most Common Mountain Biking Fracture:
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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:
Top of page |
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LOOK OUT
FOR |
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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:
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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 |
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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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