Cycling 101
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First Aid and Nutrition
First Responder Basics
Local MUSC emergency room physician Keith Borg was the speaker at our November 2007 club meeting at Southern Components. He spoke to us about how we could best care for ourselves and our peers when things go terribly wrong on the road. The two videos below are about 15 minutes each and provide a very good introduction for cyclists on the subjects of first response to trauma and environmental illness.
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Trauma Summary
- Don't be another victim - move everyone off the road and out of harms way
- Assessment - look for head and spine injuries before moving victims
- Ask questions - Who are you? Where are you? Where does it hurt?
- ABC - Check airway, breathing and circulation
- Someone take charge and make specific assignments - Call 911, direct traffic, etcetera
- Good Samaritans are protected by law in SC!
- Give very detailed information to the 911 dispatcher
- Do not allow someone with a head injury to get back on the bike
- Things you should carry
- Identification
- Face mask for CPR
- EPI pen if you are alergic to bee stings
- Use Tegaderm for road rash
- Cell phone with an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number programmed
Environmental Illness Summary
- High quality cycling clothing will help prevent hypothermia - wear arm and leg warmers, gloves, wicking jersey, vapor barrier
- Confusion is a key symptom of heat stroke - this is LIFE THREATENING
- Electrolyte drinks are better than plain water for long rides - make yourself drink