ooo now i have a reason to walk into the firehouse up the street from me ;)

Back in the day I used to be a lifeguard and we were taught about applying pressure above the wound (inside of the leg or arm) not blocking the blood flow entirely but hopefully enough to give the victim a chance to clot.

Also, in subsequent training in the Marines I was taught this as well. It seems to me that slowing (not stopping as with a tourniquet) would be the way to go in the field.

Again just my two cents and seeing as there are real medical professionals on here I will leave it to their judgment :)

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.

Rob, this information is excellent. I am not currently trained or certified, but I did get trained as a Combat Life Saver in the Army many years ago, so much of what you said brought back memories.

The information about not removing the helmet cannot be overstressed. Also the recovering of bandages to aid in blood clotting is something that most folks wouldn't think about.

So, I want to thank you for sharing this information that could potentially save someone's life.

Also, this thread reminds me of a conversation I had with someone (who happens to ride a ZX-14) about having a group safety officer. I am not saying we should or shouldn't have one, but maybe we should discuss this. Someone with your training, Rob, would be an excellent candidate for it. I know you may not want to do what you do for a living on your days off, but I'm just thinking out loud, so to speak.

T, thank you; I appreciate your "out loud" thoughts; if this was something the organizers consider in the future, I would be honored to be an asst. organizer...or group safety officer...I have been in the safety field for almost 20 years. On a side note, I did offer in a previous thread a few weeks back setting aside any of my fees, other than the costs of renting the dummies and books, to provide a CPR/First Aid Training to the group...I can only personally train 6 people at a time on my own or 12 with a certified assistand..groups can not be any larger at a single time to ensure comprehension of the subject....there was some interest but not alot. Again, thanks T, I appreciate your comments...I would also give gratitude to Nicki for her help as well.

Rob, I may have missed your original comment on the CPR/First Aid. I personally would love to do take advantage of that. Let me know what the fees involved are and I'll get something set up.

Update-spoke with Kellie...understanably at this time she is more concerned for her husbands immediate care, yet, is worried about their upcoming financial challenges that will hit them. Kellie comes across as proud, a strong woman, and supporting wife and mother....at this time she wants a week to see where things are going to go with James. Kellie has contacted her husbands HR department which means he will be out on some form of vacation/medical leave (paid for I'm sure)...but again, not her immediate focus.

Tyne, I think att his time, the fund of any contributions would be appreciated but I'm really not sure they are needed immediately...I didn't want to pry to much as the privacy issue we must consider with anyones income. Again, Kellie, wants another week to absorb, understand, and assess this incident and situation. As for odds and ends work around their house as Will mentioned, there might be some area we can help...but not for immediate discussion. I think at this time, she appreciates our obvious "bike group family concern" but wants to divote her immediate time to James. Nicki and I will stay in touch but I believe we need to be respectful and let it be for about a week.

Respectfully,

Rob

Thanks Rob for all the info and help!

I am CPR Certified. I have to be for my dental hygiene license. i could use a brush up on first aid,but basically all rob"s info is really all we should be doing. don"t remove helmet, stop bleeding by compression,use barriers.not sure we would be qualified to perform anything else.

ooo now i have a reason to walk into the firehouse up the street from me ;)

Letr me know when you go

ooo now i have a reason to walk into the firehouse up the street from me ;)

Letr me know when you go

no, no, no...not a good idea...