And then it happened Again!

Our HOG group was going on a trip to Death Valley. I was having back issues and decided to go but was going to drive. For some reason, I decided to take all my first aid materials. I put them in a Trader Joes bag and loaded it to my car. On Saturday morning we headed out to Death Valley. 30 motorcycles in 3 groups. We were bringing up the rear of the third group.

As our group was approaching Badwater Basin, we noticed the other motorcycles had stopped. I then saw one of the riders down on the right side of the road. I quickly drove my car up the other side of the road and parked. I remember my wife saying grab your gear and go help him. I got out of the car, grabbed the Trader Joes bag, and ran toward the downed rider. I quickly opened my kit and put on my gloves, something I forgot to do the first time. I took a quick look at the scene and noticed we had someone directing traffic both ways. I then approached the downed rider and let him know who I was, and that I was here to help him.

The first thing I did was remove the rocks that were in his helmet as I asked him how he felt and where it hurt. It looked like when he went down, his ¾ face helmet scooped up rocks as he fell. The face shield was broken on the right side. I removed his glasses and gave them to his wife. There was another rider by him who also had taken the ASM class, and I instructed him to hold on to his helmet and not let him turn or move his head.

I then asked the downed rider if I could examine his arms and legs to check for injuries. He was in an uncomfortable position as his hips were turned to the left, but he was on his back. I asked him to lay still while I checked him out. He was also complaining about his fingers having a tingling feeling. I examined his legs and found no issues. I took off his gloves and noticed a gash on his right thumb and thought it might be broken. He was able to move his toes and fingers. I asked him if I could lift his shirt to check for injuries and noticed that he had a scrap on his left side. He said he had no pain from his ribs. Seeing nothing obvious, I slowly helped him to move his hips to straighten out into a more comfortable position while still laying down. I then asked for a wet cloth to try to clean off the dirt on his face from the fall. I also poured some water on his shoulders to cool down his body a little. The whole time I was helping him, other riders were holding shelter over us to shield us from the sun. We were trying to keep him as cool as we could and out of the sun.

Another rider was able to get a call into 911 to get him help. A park ranger showed up to help with traffic control as we waited for EMS to arrive. As we waited, I was talking to the downed rider getting information about his medication and when was the last time he ate. I continued talking to him to keep him calm and comfortable. About 45 minutes after the crash EMS finally arrived. I gave them the information I had obtained, and they proceeded to treat him. They gave him a shot for pain and we wrapped him in an air backboard and moved him to a stretcher. We then put him in the ambulance to get him out of the sun. A helicopter had been called to take him to a hospital in Las Vegas. He ended up having surgery on his neck, C2-C5 spine, but they could not tell if it was because of the crash or if it was already degenerating from age. He is now doing well and the doctors told him the tingling in his hands would eventually go away. Just some nerve damage because of the crash.

This is the second crash scene I have used my training at, and the sad part about both riders that I have helped is they were both experienced riders, and both admit it was their fault. It only proves that accidents can happen to even the most experienced riders.

I have to say that I couldn’t believe how much I remembered from my training. I also brushed up on my course material after the first incident. I guess it’s true that the more experience you have, you get better at it, although this is not the experience that I wish to get better at. However, I am more confident helping a downed rider now.

I had taken some of his clothes and items that were in his bike with me in the car. I met him and his wife at their house to deliver them, and he asked me what medical training I had. I laughed a little and told him that it was the 2 Accident Scene Management classes that I took. He told me that he thought I was maybe an EMT. That really made me feel good and realize how beneficial the classes I took were. I must thank Teresa and Ben Martinez for being great instructors.

-Batman

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