WORDS OF WISDOM
Reprinted from IA Chapter “L” Newsletter
Written by Chuck Mincks, Assistant Chapter Rep
Hello, motorcycling friends....
I am finished with my college courses until later in the year, so at this time I actually have some "breathing room" to do some communicating again. For awhile there, I think I had a computer screen saver permanently burned into my eyes.
What a small world this can be. About a month ago I walked into our bedroom and turned on the television for a little background noise while getting ready for work. Sue loves to watch the Animal Planet channel, and it was still tuned in when the TV came on. I had my back to the TV, but as I listened to a man's voice explain about a crazy cat that likes to ride on his motorcycle, the voice sounded familiar. When I turned around, I'll be doggone if that face did not look like Ray Christiansen. I apologize for forgetting the cat's name--I think it was Sparky, or something similar. As the footage ended, you could see that familiar Goldwing, with the Iowa license plate, driving away with Ray and Sparky both onboard. Apparently, we are in the company of entertainment stars. It was a lot of fun to watch. Great job, Ray, of increasing the public's awareness of motorcycling. Even if they now think us Iowans really are all nuts. Oh, well--build it and he will come, or ride it, or whatever.......
Gary Williams has asked Sue and I to make a presentation on how to safely remove helmets from injured cyclists involved in accidents. Unfortunately, we were both working during the AGWA and F Troop meetings in April, but will do our best to get there in May. As a prelude to that hands-on demonstration, I would like to offer the following for consideration:
1. For now, never remove a helmet from an injured cyclist unless it is a last resort that is required to open up a blocked airway.
2. The neck, also called the cervical section of the spine, is the weakest part of the overall spinal column. With the added weight of the helmet, in addition to the head, neck injuries are very common and should not be manipulated around for fear of causing a spinal cord injury that could result in paralysis (death in some cases).
3. If you find an injured cyclist, conscious or not, remember your ABC's from CPR class. Check to see if the Airway is open, if they are Breathing, and if they have Circulation (a pulse). If the airway is open, or can be cleared without removing the helmet, keep it in place. Moving the head around is not worth the risk if not absolutely essential.
4. If there is a lot of traumatic injury to the face, with the airway blocked (no breathing, and inability to get air moving in and out of the mouth and nose) then follow your previous CPR training and attempt to clear the airway by pulling the lower jaw more open. DO NOT tilt the head backwards, as you may be manipulating the neck and spinal cord if you do.
5. Sweep any material out of the mouth if necessary. If breathing does not begin on its own, you may have to try mouth-to-mask breathing. F Troop made up some first aid kits and sold them to cyclists about 4 years ago at a Westdale Mall Bike show. If you have one of those, it should contain a CPR mask. If you do not, we can provide a list of recommended first aid supplies to carry on the bike.
6. If the above techniques do not work, and you cannot open the airway without removing the helmet, then you may not have any choice. Remember--if they are not breathing and you do nothing, they will most likely die. For every minute that someone is not breathing, you lose about 10% of the chance for successfully resuscitating them. After 10 minutes most are dead from irreversible brain damage. DO NOT waste time giving chest compressions if the airway is blocked and/or the victim is not breathing. Circulating blood does no good without some oxygen in it.
7. If you determine that there is no other way, this is the recommended way to remove a helmet. Open faced and flip-front helmets are obviously the easiest to work with. Full-faced helmets are the most difficult, as they typically fit tighter against the head if fitted properly.
a. Have rescuer number one kneel to one side or the other of the victim's chest--facing toward the victim's head. That rescuer should reach one hand down and to each side of the victim’s neck with their fingers extending up toward the victim's ears.
b. Rescuer number two kneels at the top of the victim's head, and facing toward the victim's feet. That rescuer reaches down with a hand on either side of the victim's helmet and carefully grasps the lower edge at about the position of the victim's ears.
c. While grasping the lower edge of the helmet on both sides, rescuer number 2 carefully spreads their hands apart just enough for rescuer number one to slide their fingers up along the lower jaw line of the victim--and inside of the helmet. The goal here is to stabilize the victim's head and neck at the same time, while the second rescuer removes the helmet.
d. Rescuer number two then carefully slides the helmet up while rotating it forward, slightly, to assist with its removal and avoiding any unnecessary flexing or extending of the neck.
8. This is a somewhat easy technique for two rescuers that talk together and plan their movements first, without surprising one another. It is extremely difficult and not recommended for one rescuer. However, if you are out in the "boonies," and alone with out any hope of help within the next 10 minutes, you alone must decide if the maneuver is worth the risk or not.
Hopefully I have not scared away anyone that otherwise may be ready to help someone when needed. We are planning on bringing some helmets and supplies to the next meetings we can attend and give you some hands-on practice with the technique. Please ask any questions you have that may allay your fears about performing these maneuvers incase you actually need to some day.
Hope to see you soon!
Chuck & Sue Mincks