What to do for an injured rider - ??

[merider1]

Seriously, I don't know exactly what to do if another rider was injured and I was the first to find him/her (other than call 911). Suggestions? (i.e.: suggstions on what to do for bleeding, shock, broken bones, unconscious, etc.) I'm not joking either. Let's not derail this thread and keep it real. Anyone who has suggestions for what to do in these instances (besides suggest a CPR class), please put it here. You may save a riders life.* Thanks.


*Note: this thread is not meant for medical advise or to be taken as such. What is being asked for is "suggestions" in the case of an emergency to help another person until professional medical help can arrive on the scene. The "suggestions" given are JUST THAT. No one is held accountable for their "suggestions." Thanks.

[Go_Fast]

call 911. :rolleyes:

[merider1]

call 911. :rolleyes:
Lee, I state that in my first post. :mad: I'm asking for suggestions BEFORE 911 arrives.

[Extort]

I am assuming that you see something that requires more than band-aids...

Move them out of traffic. (First Priority)
Call 911 if necessary.
Keep the cyclist immobile because you do not know if they have a neck injury. (yes, this contradicts the first statement, but a truck running over them destroys ANY chance of recovery)
Open wounds (cuts, not abrasions) you need to use a piece of cloth to cover and put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. You can also use a tourniquet if things are that bad.
Everything else requires medical treatment by trained and qualified individuals.

[octico]

What I did the time it happened, was to try comfort the person. I saw girl get hit by a car her leg was wrapped behind her back. She was freaking out, I calmed her down by holding her hands and telling her to focus on me and nothing else. It really worked.

[merider1]

Thanks, Phil and John. I would not have thought to move a rider out of the road (no, not kidding) as I've heard to never move an injured person. But moving them from harm's way would take precedence.

EDIT: Next question is how to move the person. I pray I'm never in this situation, but if so, I hope to do it correctly.

[spingineer]

Part of it would depend on the situation. If they have something serious, like a broken collar bone, moving them is probably not the thing to do. Any EMT's out there??? I'd ask my old gf, who is an EMT, and a racer, but we're not on speaking terms ... :mad:

[Extort]

It all depends on the amount of help you have on hand. If one person can call 911, another person hold the injured immobile, and a third person stop traffic then fine...

Too bad that many people in this world only care for themselves and would possibly run over you and the injured person rather than being late for their important meeting at Starbuck's.

The first rule of every safety preparedness seminar (First Aid, CPR, Triage, Lifeguard Training) that I have attended is that if you are not safe from harm, then your help is potentially worthless. Save yourself first, save others second.

[efficiency]

How do you move them without risking aggravating a neck injury?

[Go_Fast]

How do you move them without risking aggravating a neck injury?
exactly.
i'm not moving anybody that can't move themselves.

if anybody is with me and i crash, please don't move me if i can't get up and move myself. call 911.

m.e. - rest assured, i'll give you mouth-to-mouth if you are injured. :D

[merider1]

No, I agree with Phil "for me." If I'm injured/unconscious and in the middle of a road where I could be run over and killed, please move me. Yes, there IS a risk that being moved can further injure me, but if a vehicle stricks me, there is greater risk I'll be further injured and/or killed.

[Sci-Fi]

Unless you've taken a first aid, emergency aid, or CPR class and it depends on how seriously injured the cyclist is and if they can talk/communicate with you, it's better to wait until the paramedics arrive. No need to make things worse. If they can talk, then you can make them as comfortable as possible or move them to a better position and give them water (if they want it) until help arrives. Splints or tourniquets are not something to guess at and it may be hard to find materials at hand to make an improvised one if it's really bad and you feel there's a need to do something quickly. Calling or flagging a down a police car while waiting for the paramedics could be a life saver since many police cars carry first aid kits and many officers have received emergency aid training and the police might be closer to your location.

If they can get on their bike but not ride, you can kind of tow them a short distance where help is available/more accessible. If you have a rack, they can sit on that and hold on...just hope they are not too heavy or you may taco your wheels if you are riding a road bike. It depends on where you are...bike path. street, dirt trail, etc.

[Joe Dog]

Best thing you could do is take a Red Cross first aid course. I have to for work (health and safety program requirement) and I have used my first aid knowledge several times. That will give you the tools you need to deal with a hurt cyclist, a choking in a restaurant, a person collapsing at the state fair, etc. etc.

[spingineer]

I don't know about you, but when I go on rides, there's usually a fair amount of doctors, nurses, surgeons, and EMT's. But then again, I do ride around Palo Alto.

[efficiency]

No, I agree with Phil "for me." If I'm injured/unconscious and in the middle of a road where I could be run over and killed, please move me. Yes, there IS a risk that being moved can further injure me, but if a vehicle stricks me, there is greater risk I'll be further injured and/or killed.

The alternative, is to take very conspicuous bicycle parts (wheels and frame) and use them as traffic cones to mark off the lane where the down cyclist is. Even better, carry road flares when you ride. Start several hundred feet behind the downed cyclist, and gradually close off the lane to traffic. Then you don't have to move them, and traffic will slow down.

[schnee]

No, I agree with Phil "for me." If I'm injured/unconscious and in the middle of a road where I could be run over and killed, please move me. Yes, there IS a risk that being moved can further injure me, but if a vehicle strikes me, there is greater risk I'll be further injured and/or killed.
I recently went over the handlebars on a fixed gear and suffered a compression fracture of my L1 vertebra in my spine (among other injuries). If someone had moved me, there's a very good chance I could have been paralyzed for life.

I understand your sentiment, but in real life, the situation very rarely plays out the way your imagination is building it up to be. Witnesses jump in, cars stop, etc. For example, in my case a driver in a pickup truck stopped at the scene, then parked in the shoulder ahead of the scene to 'shield' me from traffic. I was in a group ride, and they had all stopped, started waving away traffic, etc. but even then a samaritan went to the extra effort.

So, to repeat what others have said, please do not move someone who cannot move themselves. That's one of the first things a first aid class will tell you.

[Nosra451]

Did some one call 911??

As a Paramedic for the past 20 something years, I have never heard of a vehicle running over a cyclist who wasn't directly involved in the crash- And I work in the bike friendly OC. Take a first-aid class. If you happen to encounter a fallen cyclist don't move them. Protect from injury (moving) and call 911-wait for us. The max time to onscene is less than 5 minutes. If they can't breath, clear the airway as best as you can - wait for us. If they are pumping blood, direct pressure will stop 99% of the bleeding-wait for us. Cool calm and still is the key. Nothing by mouth, unless they are just scraped- Can't go to surgery with items in the stomach, wait for us. Any specific questions?

[mkadam68]

For some reason, I feel really uncomfortable posting this here, so please take it with a grain of salt. AND Don't listen to us! It is far better to enroll in and take a Community First Aid course given by the American Red Cross or some other national organization than to rely on information posted here, as some of it may just be wrong. But...

Immediately: (as you stated above), CALL 9-1-1. Getting advanced help started on the way is paramount.
Then, remember: Life is #1--if any treatment looks like it may jeopardize this, don't do it or work-around it.

First: Assess the ABC's--Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Is the person breathing? Do they have a pulse? These are the most important, and should be the primary focus of any care until more advanced personnel arrive. Don't fret the small stuff like blood--unless it's spurting out of them!--or scrapes. w/Eric, his ABCs were fine. This was my primary concern earlier today.

Second: If you did not see the accident, and the rider is/was unconscious or incoherent, DO NOT MOVE THE RIDER. Try to secure their head/neck from moving, usually using your forearms and hands as a splint. w/Eric, the facial injuries initially looked very severe, so I did not secure his head and neck for fear of making them worse (and I'm thinking that I should have anyway) and he was initially cooperative in laying still. Get someone else to stop/slow/redirect traffic. If that is not possible, and the downed rider's and your lives are in danger from the surroundings, then, yes...life trumps paralysis...so move the rider to a safe position.

Third: Treat for shock. Lay them down, raise the feet slightly higher than the heart, and keep them warm. Try to keep them awake. Get them to focus on you. w/Eric, we asked him to hold our hands/squeeze. We were constantly talking to him. I tried to talk to him like I was a loved one so he could focus. He was also fighting our efforts to keep him still (the ground was hot) which made it difficult to keep him still. We asked him questions to keep his mind going. He was in shock a little bit and disoriented so, hopefully, this helped.

If the accident was not as serious (the rider is hopping around just holding their arm or leg or finger, etc...), what you do will depend on what is hurt.

Road Rash (minor abrasions): clean w/water, apply antibiotic ointment and a guaze pad. If you don't have, do when you get home.
Deep Cuts: clean w/water, apply gauze (or whatever available) and pressure to stop the bleeding. If ice is available, use it. Treat for shock (see above). If blood is really spurting (arterial), you do need to stop the flow. Tourniquets are not out of the question if pressure & gauze did not stop the blood. If it's just oozing, its veinous, and not life-threatening. Also, facial injuries bleed like the dickens, but are rarely life-threatening, just scary.
Broken Bones/Dislocations: Assuming you're not too far from civilization, make the rider comfortable, keep the injury still, and leave it alone. Wait for help to arrive. If you have ice, use it. If you're hiking in the remotest part of Alaska or Africa, okay, you can try and treat it with a brace or something else. But, we live in SoCal. Help is 5-10 mins away. They will not die in the meantime (they will be uncomfortable, though). Definitely do not try to re-set a dislocated joint...it only works in the movies! Do watch for discoloration/bruising. This would indicate internal bleeding, but then, there's nothing you can do about that anyway, 'cept ice it.

Reading through the other posts, everything appears okay, but be very careful about deciding to move someone who is injured. It can do more harm than good (even more than paralysis).

My humble $0.02.

[mkadam68]

Did some one call 911??

As a Paramedic for the past 20 something years, I have never heard of a vehicle running over a cyclist who wasn't directly involved in the crash- And I work in the bike friendly OC. Take a first-aid class. If you happen to encounter a fallen cyclist don't move them. Protect from injury (moving) and call 911-wait for us. The max time to onscene is less than 5 minutes. If they can't breath, clear the airway as best as you can - wait for us. If they are pumping blood, direct pressure will stop 99% of the bleeding-wait for us. Cool calm and still is the key. Nothing by mouth, unless they are just scraped- Can't go to surgery with items in the stomach, wait for us. Any specific questions?
+1

[Nosra451]

yup

[Pheard]

First and foremost. Remove them from imminent danger ONLY if you have too. Meaning a road fall in the middle of the road, and there are tons of cars going at a high rate of speed on the road. Move the rider in that case only. Otherwise I would try to keep the person immobile as there could be all kinds of damage to the neck/spine/etc.

As far as basic first aid goes, I would take a basic class, you could probably find one at a night school, or look online for any red cross classes. Until then, I personally wouldn't bother with any first aid as you can cause more harm than good if you don't know what you're doing.

[powerglide]

Ask if he/she is ok, block traffic, call for help, if it looks serious tell him/her not to move and say stuff like "it's gonna be ok".
Profuse bleeding-->tournique

[Pheard]

Only use a tourniquet if there are no other means of somewhat controlling the bleeding.

I wouldn't bother using a tourniquet. Anywhere you'd be road biking help would be fairly close, so I don't think it'd be necessary to do one, just pressure on a bleeding wound until help arrive. IMO tourniquets are last case scenarios.

[bitingduck]

All good advice so far--

A few other comments (having been in or around way too many crashes, and not being medically trained):
- stay calm
- talk calmly to the people who crashed, and encourage them to not try to move until their injuries have been assessed. I've seen 2 broken hips (femoral neck fractures) in the past year and they often think they can move or be moved, despite pretty intense pain. A third friend completely disintegrated his femoral neck-- he was in way too much pain to even imagine moving. Don't let them move until it's clear that it's not bad or there are medics there with equipment to immobilize the injury. When they do decide to move on their own, try to get them to try one part at a time (foot, knee, hip, hand, arm, etc).
- Introduce yourself and ask for their name
- ask where it hurts and how bad
- hold their hand gently if they seem really freaked out
- ask if they can tell you where they are, what day it is, something about current news. If there's any confusion about any of this, there's a reasonable likelihood of a head injury and you should report that to 911. If their helmet has detached, inspect it for cracks, otherwise leave it on them unless they're ok enough to take it off and check themselves.
- make them comfortable with as little moving as possible-- if their bike is on them, move it. Don't move it if they're still attached to the pedals and can't detach themselves comfortably. If there are other bikes/vehicles around, get someone to direct them around the fallen rider (don't move the rider if you can avoid it)
- check for bleeding, obviously broken bones (one of the guys on the SGRT had a pretty high probability of broken ribs, which was later confirmed).
- call 911 if necessary. be prepared to tell them where you are as best you can (we had some problems with this on the SGRT a few weeks ago), how many injured, the extent of injuries as far as you can tell ("don't know" is a fine answer, but if there are serious injuries they can send the right stuff right away if they know), probably more. If there's uncertainty about where you are they'll likely stay on the phone until the help arrives, and may patch you directly through to the responders to give directions/landmarks.
- keep talking to the rider calmly, ask them to tell you things about themselves. Find out if they need to call someone and let them know. help them call if necessary.
- even if it's a minor crash you want the rider to lay quietly for a few minutes to get their breath and assess their injuries themselves before they start trying to move. If they can get up on their own and want to ride on, check their helmet for cracks, check hands for abrasions, check other parts for abrasions, check range of motion of arms and legs-- sometimes there are injuries that you don't realize til you get to a particular position with an arm or leg.
- if they're basically uninjured and going to continue riding, check the bike for damage and help fix it.
- when the fire dept/ambulance people show up, tell them what you know and then get out of the way, but stick around until everyone is taken care of in case they have any questions.

[thomson]

In addition to the (more important) advice above.
If there are many attending to the injured, the extra guys hanging around can

Get witness statements
Gather the bike debris
Assist in traffic control until the authorities arrive
Look for identification in the saddle bag (if necessary)

[merider1]

For some reason, I feel really uncomfortable posting this here, so please take it with a grain of salt. AND Don't listen to us! It is far better to enroll in and take a Community First Aid course given by the American Red Cross or some other national organization than to rely on information posted here, as some of it may just be wrong. But...
.

Thank you, Mark and all others. Actually, you all have convinced me to take at least a standard class. After hearing what happened to Adam with the car and then Eric yesterday, it got me to thinking and I realized how ill prepared I am. I am an adult though, and I certainly would call 911 and try to remain calm, but hearing suggestions or tips on what one can do before help arrives at least gives me an idea. Again, nothing in this thread should be taken as medical advice in the least. People should take classes or consult with a medical professional (e.g. Nosra451 or other).

[socalrider]

I think the info that mcadam68 gave is good solid info.. Having been on both ends of accidents, the one injured and having friends injured..

It is imperative that if a head/neck injury is involved like many bike accidents, that you may be put into a position to make decisions for the injured rider.. 1st thing is to tell them that there bike is fine, I don't know why but it is always the 1st question out of there mouth..

Make sure if a head or neck injury is involved, do not allow them to move, even if it requires you to hold them down..

[alicestrong]

In addition to help people help you in case of emergency...

http://www.advantagerx.com/a-sosbracelets.htm

and this:

ICE Campaign - 'In Case of Emergency'
We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends. If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) campaign. The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is
store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE.' For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and
ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today! ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.

[roadfix]

^^^ Thanks for the reminder. I just updated my ICE info on my cell phone and added ICE 2 & 3 as additional contacts. :)

[magicant]

Depends on who's injured and how. I'm not sucking snake venom out of anyone, anywhere.

[ovoleg]

I would rather block traffic and avoid moving the injured person. Blocking traffic is much easier, sure people will be upset that they have to wait but what else is new. There are pretty selfish people out there.

Moving someone with a neck injury could be worse than pissing off a few angry drivers.

[3F_BIKE_CLUB]

Seriously, I don't know exactly what to do if another rider was injured and I was the first to find him/her (other than call 911). Suggestions? (i.e.: suggstions on what to do for bleeding, shock, broken bones, unconscious, etc.) I'm not joking either. Let's not derail this thread and keep it real. Anyone who has suggestions for what to do in these instances (besides suggest a CPR class), please put it here. You may save a riders life.* Thanks.


*Note: this thread is not meant for medical advise or to be taken as such. What is being asked for is "suggestions" in the case of an emergency to help another person until professional medical help can arrive on the scene. The "suggestions" given are JUST THAT. No one is held accountable for their "suggestions." Thanks.

As some of the other people pointed out, the best thing to do to prepare for an emergency situation is to take a First Aid Class. (I've done it three times now and I'm currently certified for First Aid, CPR, and Delayed Response First Aid)

I have a 320 page manual on what to do in specific emergency situations as well as many hours of professional instruction. I won't tell you what is the right thing to do in an emergency situation other than to call 911 because you need to learn that for yourself from a professional. I simply can't summarize all I've learned in a single posting nor would I attempt to try to answer everybody's wrong answers that I've seen here.

The American Red Cross is a great place to go for training. They offer evening and weekend classes. And while you're there learning how to treat people for emergencies, give blood! As they say about giving blood, "The life you save may be your own."

---mark

[haimtoeg]

When I went to first aid class, first rule was to do no damage. Sometimes even what we think is harmless and comforting may cause damage - taking a helmet off, giving some water to drink and so on. I'd say, call 911, divert traffic and then do what you can to keep the person comfortable - make some shed, wet their lips, hold hands and keep being positive and reassuring.

[merider1]

Depends on who's injured and how. I'm not sucking snake venom out of anyone, anywhere.
:rolleyes: Good to know. And btw, you SHOULDN'T do that anyway. It's useless and you could just make yourself ill, thus rendering the snake-bite victim trueless helpless.

[madmike]

I am assuming that you see something that requires more than band-aids...

Move them out of traffic. (First Priority)
Call 911 if necessary.
Keep the cyclist immobile because you do not know if they have a neck injury. (yes, this contradicts the first statement, but a truck running over them destroys ANY chance of recovery)
Open wounds (cuts, not abrasions) you need to use a piece of cloth to cover and put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. You can also use a tourniquet if things are that bad.
Everything else requires medical treatment by trained and qualified individuals.

I doth protest...

Do not move an injured rider. The best thing to do is leave them there and route traffic so they don't get run over.

Accident Scene Procedures - This is an excerpt from a Road Marshall program for an organized bike ride.

Check the scene. Don’t put yourself in danger. Prevent other cyclists from being involved in the accident.

Check the victims and provide assistance. To the extent of your training, check accident victims for vital signs and act accordingly. Those who are certified in First Aid should provide First Aid to injured cyclists until assistance arrives. Do not go beyond the training you have received. Do Not Move an injured cyclist who is lying on the ground, even if he or she is in the middle of the roadway. Moving an injured cyclist could cause severe damage if there is injury to the neck or back. This is especially true if the cyclist has lost consciousness. Keep the cyclist down until medical attention arrives.

Request assistance. If you need additional help pick a specific person in the crowd and give him or her instructions.

Assist other emergency personnel. As directed by EMS, Police or Event personnel, provide whatever assistance possible. At accident scenes, offer your assistance to the extent of your first aid training or as directed by proper authorities, i.e., help carry or assist accident victims to walk to ambulance or side of roadway.

Control the flow of traffic. If you are not needed to stay with the victims directly, keep the flow of cyclists and motorists moving around the accident as safely as possible. Maintain safe conditions at all times. Enlist help of other people as needed. Be prepared to stop ALL bike traffic when an ambulance arrives. Only local police have the authority to control traffic at road intersections.

[urbanknight]

I doth protest...

Do not move an injured rider. The best thing to do is leave them there and route traffic so they don't get run over.


+1 billion. This might be a personal choice, but I'd rather risk death than paralysis. If I can't ride a bike again, I'd rather be dead (note: this opinion might change once I have children). Either way, it's much better to redirect traffic while on the phone with 911. My cell has a speakerphone, so I will listen to the dispatcher while administering first aid or directing traffic around the injured.

[madmike]

+1 billion. This might be a personal choice, but I'd rather risk death than paralysis.

I agree... and I definitely think there are things worth than death. Just look at the last 10 years of Terry Shiavo's life.

[3F_BIKE_CLUB]

+1 billion. This might be a personal choice, but I'd rather risk death than paralysis. If I can't ride a bike again, I'd rather be dead (note: this opinion might change once I have children). Either way, it's much better to redirect traffic while on the phone with 911. My cell has a speakerphone, so I will listen to the dispatcher while administering first aid or directing traffic around the injured.

You're one heck of a multi-tasker!

But seriously, do you honestly believe that you can provide first aid assistance while directing traffic and talking to a 911 operator all at the same time?

[voltman]

"If he dies, he dies."

[3F_BIKE_CLUB]

I doth protest...

Do not move an injured rider. The best thing to do is leave them there and route traffic so they don't get run over.

Accident Scene Procedures - This is an excerpt from a Road Marshall program for an organized bike ride.

Check the scene. Don’t put yourself in danger. Prevent other cyclists from being involved in the accident.

Check the victims and provide assistance. To the extent of your training, check accident victims for vital signs and act accordingly. Those who are certified in First Aid should provide First Aid to injured cyclists until assistance arrives. Do not go beyond the training you have received. Do Not Move an injured cyclist who is lying on the ground, even if he or she is in the middle of the roadway. Moving an injured cyclist could cause severe damage if there is injury to the neck or back. This is especially true if the cyclist has lost consciousness. Keep the cyclist down until medical attention arrives.

Request assistance. If you need additional help pick a specific person in the crowd and give him or her instructions.

Assist other emergency personnel. As directed by EMS, Police or Event personnel, provide whatever assistance possible. At accident scenes, offer your assistance to the extent of your first aid training or as directed by proper authorities, i.e., help carry or assist accident victims to walk to ambulance or side of roadway.

Control the flow of traffic. If you are not needed to stay with the victims directly, keep the flow of cyclists and motorists moving around the accident as safely as possible. Maintain safe conditions at all times. Enlist help of other people as needed. Be prepared to stop ALL bike traffic when an ambulance arrives. Only local police have the authority to control traffic at road intersections.


I agree with everything you've said here madmike with the caveat that if putting yourself in the flow of traffic endangers yourself or others, then don't do it. For example, don't rush out into the middle of an intersection thinking that people are going to stop for you. Stopping the flow of traffic, in itself, can lead to even greater accidents as the cars behind the first line of cars can't see what's going on. Now you've got yourself a multi-car pile up and multiple injuries and guess who's at fault? YOU.

[3F_BIKE_CLUB]

I think the info that mcadam68 gave is good solid info.. Having been on both ends of accidents, the one injured and having friends injured..

It is imperative that if a head/neck injury is involved like many bike accidents, that you may be put into a position to make decisions for the injured rider.. 1st thing is to tell them that there bike is fine, I don't know why but it is always the 1st question out of there mouth..

Make sure if a head or neck injury is involved, do not allow them to move, even if it requires you to hold them down..

WRONG! You NEVER hold down a person. Holding down a person can lead to panic, further injury, and an assault charge being filed against you.

[3F_BIKE_CLUB]

What I did the time it happened, was to try comfort the person. I saw girl get hit by a car her leg was wrapped behind her back. She was freaking out, I calmed her down by holding her hands and telling her to focus on me and nothing else. It really worked.

This is about the most intelligent response I've seen in this thread so far. Good job octico.

[urbanknight]

You're one heck of a multi-tasker!

But seriously, do you honestly believe that you can provide first aid assistance while directing traffic and talking to a 911 operator all at the same time?
No, sorry, I guess I should clarify. The course of action depends on so many variables, you can't state exactly what would be done. In general, I could do two of the above actions, but (this is my faith in humanity) I would expect to quickly find a vehicle or other rider willing to block traffic (emergency blinkers if possible), then I would place the phone on the floor with 911 while administering first aid IF NEEDED. If no such assistance is available, I would call 911 while directing traffic and hope the rider doesn't need chest compressions or mouth-to-mouth. If the rider did need CPR, one option would be to prop the bike up (pedal on helmet) with a bright jersey or jacket to make it a visible barrier about 10-40 feet before the rider.

Does this sound like a generally good plan of action, or am I missing anything? (It would help to know actually)

[JonnyOgre]

In reading this thread, I am going to talk to a friend of mine, who is a Red Cross First Aid/CPR instructor who is also a cyclist. I am going to see if I can set up a day with her to teach a class for those who are interested. A day off of the bike here, could save another riders life another day. Being in a medical profession, I have learned that you can never get enough education where this subject is concerned. I should know more tonite at work, I will set up a new post if this idea gets off the ground.

[urbanknight]

Jonny, let me know when and where. I need to renew my Red Cross certs this Summer anyway.