I just spoke with Kelly (10 am-8/12/09)...Not much different other than James is in and out of it still with pain meds. James does not remember the accident at all...He is looking at 8-12 weeks recovery time BEFORE he can even start rehabilitation and trying to walk. She is quite overwhelmed with the support our group has shown and very grateful to Nicki and I for our efforts to which I said anyone of us here would of done the same regardless of whomever showed up at the scene. Kelly also mentioned she is on Facebook and is posting updates regularly if you would like to see them; just go to Facebook if you have an account and ask her to be a friend...Kelly...sorry, forgot her last name at the moment (can be found in the other messages)

On a side note; from personal training as a medical responder and trainer I would like to note a couple of things from the accident that maybe all of you could learn from or maybe you already know and this would be a good reminder.

1/ Never ever ever...ever...remove the riders helmet, as the neck may be broken or there may be injury to the brain...James did have bleeding on his brain (subdural hematoma).

2/ Always, whenever possible, use barriers (gloves). Our natural reaction is to cover a wound in which we may end up with blood on our own person; I will have to get tested (with no offense to James) for Aids and Hepatitus because the gloves provided to me broke (they were old but most firstaid kits are never used, it happens).

3/ When applying direct pressure to a wound where the bleeding won't stop, ALWAYS continue to re-cover the soaked through bandages on the injury...Do NOT remove them as they aid in hopefully starting a clot to control the bleeding...just continue to apply more and more dressings as needed to soak up and keep the bleeding out in your control (if possible).

I hope this helps someone in the future...with all my training I still ended up with blood on me and I have to get tested to be sure (I'm pretty sure all is going to be fine, but you just never know)....in order to help others you must be able to help yourself first.

I appreciate this group of riders. Thanks.

Thank you for this thread Rob, I didn't know about the bandages so good to know. I was wondering though, should we have tried to cut circulation off some to the knee? Is that only if an artery is damaged?

If anyone knows of a general first aid class that's inexpensive (other than just CPR)? I think it'd be good for all of the organizers to attend and I would love to see attendance of our regulars as well who like me, aren't knowledgeable in first aid. We've been very fortunate up until this point with riders going down and popping right back up. Not seeing James pop right back up hit home with me and made me realize that I as well as the other organizers should be a lil more on top of the game with safety and first aid.

I'm glad you asked...a tourniquet is what you probably were referring to...in the state of Arizona, EMT's are not permitted to use tourniquets...this cuts off the blood flow and could cause the need for amputation when it was not necessary...this also goes for snake bites...DO NOT USE A TOURNIQUET...the only way I would consider one is when the limb has actually been removed (to put it politely) in an accident and its necessary to stop the bleeding to save a life...again...a tourniquet can cause an unnecessary need for an amputation. Great question Tyne!!!

Well I'm not sure of what a tourniquet is nor would I have one on me but I was thinking more of a t-shirt in a knot kinda thing, but still no huh?

that is a tourniquet...lol...some item, such as a shirt, and a stick or bar to twist and tighten it...tourniquet probably looks funny when typed out but I am sure you have heard of it...anyway...NO, do not cut off circulation (probably should of just said that)...

Oh ok, what about applying direct pressure to the wound? Sorry for all the Q's. I just hope to have a better understanding if God forbid we have to see such injuries again and maybe you and Nicki aren't on the ride or aren't where it happens. I think with Joey and I sweeping all the time it's important for us to know.

Direct pressure is a must as it helps the blood to clot at the wound....only let off direct pressure from a constant bleed to apply additional bandages then continue applying pressure...again, do not remove the soaked bandages...I was taught something long ago as I have been teaching and speaking in public at times for about 5 years now...The only dumb question is the one you don't ask...think about it....most are afraid to ask and therefor they never get the answer they so needed to understand the topic at hand...I appreciate the questions and am happy to share what I know....I was also taught another thing...it's not having all the answers, it's knowing where to find them...if I don't know the answer, I won't bs you, but I will find the correct answer for you...credibility is very important. Thanks for the questions.

Thanks :) I started sweeping because I like knowing that if again.. God forbid something happen.. that whoever it is won't have to go through it alone. I was at the back of the group once on a ride and had everyone pass me by a long shot and it was a pretty scary feeling. Granted being a girl (and newish rider) I'm sure I worry more about it but it just gives me peace knowing they'll never be alone. I have no interest in keeping up with the big boys anyway. They always wait up ;) So anyway, I'm going to be looking into basic first aid classes so I'm more confident in emergency situations and again, if anyone knows where to lead me for these I'd appreciate it.

Most common would be redcross.com or is it redcross.org...not sure

You can call PCC, some hospitals might have classes or a local fire dept might know where to go. I do recall the community colleges teaching CPR or some related classes.