Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.beppe
01-11-06, 02:00 PM
A couple (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=165754) of threads (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=127387) active right now regarding bike/car accidents reminded me to make this post.
****
Over the course of 2 months, I was a witness to two serious accidents in SF, one at about Folsom and 9th and the other Folsom and 7th. The second one was a red light runner that missed the light -- which was on a delay! -- by a good two to three seconds. In that case, my life was essentially saved by a friend of mine who shouted not to move -- the driver ended up nailing a motorcyclist in a pickup. My WAG is that he was going about 30-35 mph at the time, and if he had hit me instead, I would have been seriously injured, if not killed, even though I was wearing a helmet. During the same time there were a number of everyday scrapes and near misses as well.
****
I know that in an emergency, your instincts can take over. However, remember that tending to the victim is more important than catching the perpetrator. To that end, if you see a serious accident:
1. Call 911 immediately. This should be obvious.
2. Do not move the victim, or help him/her sit up. This is for spinal injuries, including the neck, that can result in paralysis or quadriplegia.
3. Follow the next steps, as best you can remember them, of treating to victims as a first responder. There are links below.
4. Stick around and give a report to the police. I know it's cool to hate on the police in some quarters, but they're around to make your city a safer place. This is morally obligatory in my mind -- tell them what you saw, so that they can do their jobs. (Ok, end rant.)
****
Most states, including California, have "good samaritan" law, in which you are legally protected as long as you try to help someone in a reasonable manner (i.e., not with leeches or quackery).
I also recommend carrying a pen that will write on your skin in an easily accessible location. Mine's in the outer pocket of my bag. That way, for things like license plate numbers, you can easily write them down and then attend to the accident victim.
****
Clicking (http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000101-d000200/d000105/d000105.html) any of the links (http://www.stormsurvival.homestead.com/BasicFirstAid.html) in this sentence should bring you to providers of basic first aid (http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/dms/website/firstaid/) information.
FEMA (http://www.fema.gov) (yes, I know) also offers some online classes (http://training.fema.gov/VCNew/firstVC.asp) to make you a better first responder.
Please think about looking through some of this, or taking a class (via the Red Cross (www.redcross.org) or other organization) in first responder training. I hope you never have to use it, but you very well might.
****
Over the course of 2 months, I was a witness to two serious accidents in SF, one at about Folsom and 9th and the other Folsom and 7th. The second one was a red light runner that missed the light -- which was on a delay! -- by a good two to three seconds. In that case, my life was essentially saved by a friend of mine who shouted not to move -- the driver ended up nailing a motorcyclist in a pickup. My WAG is that he was going about 30-35 mph at the time, and if he had hit me instead, I would have been seriously injured, if not killed, even though I was wearing a helmet. During the same time there were a number of everyday scrapes and near misses as well.
****
I know that in an emergency, your instincts can take over. However, remember that tending to the victim is more important than catching the perpetrator. To that end, if you see a serious accident:
1. Call 911 immediately. This should be obvious.
2. Do not move the victim, or help him/her sit up. This is for spinal injuries, including the neck, that can result in paralysis or quadriplegia.
3. Follow the next steps, as best you can remember them, of treating to victims as a first responder. There are links below.
4. Stick around and give a report to the police. I know it's cool to hate on the police in some quarters, but they're around to make your city a safer place. This is morally obligatory in my mind -- tell them what you saw, so that they can do their jobs. (Ok, end rant.)
****
Most states, including California, have "good samaritan" law, in which you are legally protected as long as you try to help someone in a reasonable manner (i.e., not with leeches or quackery).
I also recommend carrying a pen that will write on your skin in an easily accessible location. Mine's in the outer pocket of my bag. That way, for things like license plate numbers, you can easily write them down and then attend to the accident victim.
****
Clicking (http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000101-d000200/d000105/d000105.html) any of the links (http://www.stormsurvival.homestead.com/BasicFirstAid.html) in this sentence should bring you to providers of basic first aid (http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/dms/website/firstaid/) information.
FEMA (http://www.fema.gov) (yes, I know) also offers some online classes (http://training.fema.gov/VCNew/firstVC.asp) to make you a better first responder.
Please think about looking through some of this, or taking a class (via the Red Cross (www.redcross.org) or other organization) in first responder training. I hope you never have to use it, but you very well might.