Our sport involves crashes! Crashing can often result in a minor accident turning into a major emergency. Knowledge gaps, dangerous half-truths, and long-forgotten first aid courses exacerbate the situation when you are suddenly expected to help a friend or stranger. Here’s what you need to know so you can stop feeling overwhelmed when it comes to first aid. You can make your next bike ride a little safer by following these helpful, easy tips and tricks.

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Be prepared

No matter what kind of accident it was, whether it was at home, in the car, or on the bike, we’ve all witnessed or experienced it. Even if nothing directly happens to you, you still might be affected by shock. You can’t think clearly as your heart beats so fast due to stunning images and terrifying sounds. Emergencies can be overwhelming. You feel like you don’t know what to do. A person who is able to think clearly and take targeted, systematic measures in an emergency is greatly advantageous. Fortunately, you can learn this skill.

Even in difficult-to-access terrain or in unfamiliar terrain, emergency situations can be significantly mitigated or even avoided with the right preparation. A lot of accidents occur due to carelessness, a misjudgment of the surrounding environment, or a misunderstanding of your own limits. What protective gear are you wearing to ensure your comfort and safety on the terrain?

Check your equipment:

Many people prefer not to ride with hip bags or backpacks, but you should always have a first aid kit handy. Make arrangements ahead of time if you plan to ride with friends to ensure nothing gets forgotten and unnecessary gear is dragged along. You can use Apple’s medical ID features to make sure that anyone who finds you can easily access your medical details and contact information.

Don’t overestimate yourself, and ride with your head. Avoid risky maneuvers and big jumps when riding alone in a remote area. If you’re tired or having a bad day, take a relaxed ride in nature, ride around the biggest jumps, and don’t compete with Strava records. In the event of an emergency, someone will have to get help if you haven’t received any texts for a while due to poor network coverage. Unless you are able to do that, you might end up alone for a very long time.

The purpose of this article is not to be an online first aid course but to help you refresh your knowledge regularly. Outdoor sports courses are recommended. Attend a day course with your biking buddies. Mountain bike courses and standard first aid training are both available from local rescue services and other organizations.

What to do when a crash happens

It’s important to keep a cool head! Take a deep breath. Give yourself 10 seconds to think about the next 10 minutes. Decide what matters most. Being calm instead of panicking and acting on impulse will benefit both you and the injured person. If an accident has occurred, secure the scene – especially on heavily traveled trails – and remove your bikes and gear from the trail. It’s still a good idea to keep the accident route clear and well-visible for as long as possible after it’s happened. As soon as that is done, you should address the victim and clarify the severity of the situation. When you call for help, you will need to explain exactly where you are or use the emergency dispatcher to locate where you are.

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Keep an eye out after the rescue services arrive in case they need information or assistance. That being said, give them the space they need to do their work without stepping over equipment or huddling too close to your injured buddy.

When the sh*t hits the fan, people are usually very helpful, and they will often ask if they can help. Even if you cannot think of any specific tasks at the moment, they will be useful as marshals and for carrying. Very few people will be annoyed if you don’t need them after all.

Conclusion

No one likes to think about the worst case, but it is part of our sport, and we shouldn’t bury our heads in the sand. As with the 10 for 10 rule, preparation and prevention can reduce the risks, and regularly updating your first aid skills will keep you calm in an emergency. While there is no substitute for professional rescue services in serious cases, it can make life easier, safer, and longer for you, the rescuers, and the injured party. Let’s prepare for the worst, hope for the best!

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