I Decided To Go Check

 

I was on my way home from picking up some motorcycle parts and it had just started to rain hard when I saw a lot of brake lights in front of me. We came to a stop and I got out of the van to see what was going on. It appeared that a pickup truck lost control on the wet road and landed on top of a small car. People were standing around talking about the situation. I asked if there was anyone in the car and someone said “yeah I think there is, but he’s probably dead”. I decided to go check.

The car had steam coming from it but I did not see or smell smoke. The doors to both sides of the car were blocked by tires and twisted metal but I could access the driver’s side window. The window had smashed out and the side air bag curtain was hanging there. I lifted the airbag a bit afraid of what I might see. There was a man sitting in the driver’s seat staring straight ahead. He appeared to be in shock. I asked for his name and he answered me. There was blood trickling down his face from a wound on his head, and there was blood on his hand. I continue to talk to him, asking him a lot of questions and having him move his arms legs and talking to him about himself and what I was seeing. Occasionally he would get quiet and I would start up the conversation again talking about whatever I could think of to keep him focused and awake.

It took about 15 minutes for the police to arrive and another 10 minutes after that before the ambulance got there. The police said I was doing a great job and they went about their business controlling traffic. I don’t feel like I did a lot, but I know that if I had done nothing the outcome could have been different. I know that it mattered to the person in the car that there was somebody there talking to him.

How did I know what to do and how was I able to remain calm in this situation? I’ve taken Road Guardians’ Accident Scene Management classes, both basic and advanced. I do a lot of traveling and supporting events like the cannonball. I’ve helped other riders in minor situations and had a major situation happen in Mongolia when I was supporting a ride there. I don’t necessarily want to get my experience in a real-world situation, but I’m so glad that I had training that has helped me remain calm and feel as if there’s something I can do to make the situation better.

I learned a bit about how to handle the situation after the fact as well. It’s always easy to beat yourself up afterwards, thinking about the things that you would have done differently if you could do it again. In my classes I learned that that is normal and that we have to be kind to ourselves and know that the actions we took made a difference and helped someone that day. I am hoping I can find some way to get back in touch with that person who I visited with for 25 minutes while waiting for help to arrive. I’m sure he would like to talk to me, and I know I would love to have an opportunity to talk to him.

How can you learn to help in a traumatic situation when CPR and first aid is not enough? Take an Accident Scene Management class or host one for your group. Contact us HERE.

– Doug Wothke