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Just to say a huge thank you to what I saw today. It was a really cold and windy day up Llandegla today. I'd already done the black/red in a winter top that nearly melted me, so swapped to a softshell for a lap of the blue. Headded down the fast swoopy section and right near the bottom, just before the trees, I could see two riders down on the trail.
A poor lass had lost her bars and they had 'hit' her pelvis. Her partner was holding her in place as she was in so much pain, but he'd already phoned the centre. We couldn't move her as we weren't sure what her injuries we're. I gave them my waterproof and covered her back loosly as she was in agony. I stopped another rider as she was coming down the trail.
At this point, one of the trail pixies was there pronto and took over. He asked us to go back up the blue and warn riders as it's a fast section. I went half way along, and the other rider to the fire road.
Just afew minutes later, a chopper arrived with medics and somehow landed them next to the trail (bear in mind all the tree stumps and young trees) then backed off and landed in some rough grass. Shortly after that, more Llandegla staff arrived with an ambulance crew.
I still kept watch, and stopped a couple of riders coming down. One of the Llandegla staff then came up to relieve me, as I was getting cold. Mentioned I'd given my waterproof to them, but it didn't matter - at least it was keeping them warm. Found out her bars had impailed her abdomen. Yikes.
Got back to the trail centre, gave them my number, and about 30 minutes later, as I was leaving, got a call to say they had my waterproof.
Must say, the staff really know how to handle emergency situations - whilst we were up there a rider broke his colar bone on 'the roller coaster'
Big thumbs up to the Llandegla staff.
Well done all !!
Hope the lass is OK.
Good effort for writing that up & helping out.
They must deal with a lot of injuries so good to hear that they know what to do.
I hope the girl is sorted out and back on her bike soon!!
staff really know how to handle emergency situations –
Interesting. Not my experience at all. I helped a kid who had broken his arm on the jump section. Stayed with him until ambulance arrived and then helped him into it.
The staff member stayed well back and refused to help with anything. Left me, the mates and the ambulance crew to do it all. I assumed it was some liability rule with the insurance they have. But whatever it was I was deeply unimpressed.
On rereading your post, I'm somewhat struggling to see what the staff did that was so impressive. Ok, they spelled you directing traffic and got you your jacket back afterwards. I mean that's good and all, but hardly outstanding.
Sounds like your contribution was more impressive TBH. Well done for helping out.
Edit. Just reread that your shout was to the emergency services too. Fairy nuff.
The staff currently can't touch anyone due to covid, but they were there quick confirming everything with the centre and a manager was there fast with the ambulance crew - they knew exactly where it was. We couldn't move her - I initially thought broken pelvis, but she was impaled. Other than keeping her warm, not moving her was the best we could do. I was glad when someone turned up - came with a first aid kit, but he and we (other bikers) could see we couldn't do much.
You don't know how serious it is, I really couldn't see much, but her partner was also in shock, but he'd done the right thing and phoned the centre. The speed they got there was good.
I didn't do much other than make sure she had some warmth. You just can't leave someone like that. You know when you get some that sream and shout over something minor, we thought this was serious.
Edit, yes shout out to both, very fast arrival at the top of a bloody mountain, not that near a fire road.
I didn’t do much other than make sure she had some warmth.
It's amazing how cold someone can get on a hill with minimal insulation, lying on the cold ground. Because when we're riding we generate a lot of heat, most people don't wear much at all. But a period of lying on the floor can turn an immobile person into a genuine medical emergency. My only concession to trail first aid is a tin-foil blanket, which I'm convinced is more useful than all the plasters / bandages / savlon some people carry.
TLDR; you did good.
Afaik you dont remove anything anyone is impailled on. The ambulance, docs or fire cut exposed area then wrap and pack and transport, i am mot a doctor though.
Can be nasty, all sorts of stuff to damage inside below rib cage. Spleen comes to mind, intestines etc
Sounds like everyone did the best they could in the circumstances
I started to get cold fast as I was wearing what I needed - I'd ditched the thicker winter jacket from the first lap as it was too hot on the climbs.
I think, given this, I'll get some tin foil blankets for the back pack - was going to pick up a basic first aid kit the other day, but couldn't find one.
I was worried with the wind chill. I originally though the guy didn't want the waterproof, said he had one, but he didn't do anything with it, so I took mine back off and covered her.
Fingers crossed she's OK.
I really don't know how the copter landed twice - dropped the medics right by the trail with all the old tree stumps and young trees, then moved away onto some long grass. After we were told we could go, I tried to carry the bike over the grass and fell into a big divot (I did laugh) but it was really tricky, not a heli pad.
Foil blankets are a great idea and take up almost no space, I've got one in each of my saddle bags.
Agree on the plasters, although I do keep a couple of rolls of bandage in my backpack. I figure it's unlikely that a small cuts going to get septic before you get home. But if it needs bandages it might be more serious.
The staff currently can’t touch anyone due to covid ...
In a 1st aid incident like that, that statement is just bullshit.
Just ordered a pack of 10, really cheap, but these are now going in the cars/back packs. May never use them again, but they are there after today.
Agreed mrhoppy.
Although mouth to mouth is not recommended for cpr just now..
Harsh on the team up there. The medical folk were there within minutes of the 'staff'.
Unless you are medically trained, what can you do ? - keep the person warm. FFS... this is about thanking the teams that helped this badly injured person, on what's not a bad section of trail, but shows you it can go wrong, very badly, very quickly, and it was exposed.
You were not there, the help was there fast !
ABCD Is the primary route.
Compress bleed area. Stabilise spinal columnn, keep patient warm and comfortable.
But a period of lying on the floor can turn an immobile person into a genuine medical emergency. My only concession to trail first aid is a tin-foil blanket,
I always carry a foil blanket. Needed 3 times now - roadie hit a wall on a sportive and broke her jaw; a clubmate had an unclip fail and broke his pelvis; and a roadie was hit by a car a couple of weeks before lockdown 1 - all being looked after while waiting for an ambulance, but nothing to help them keep warm.
We also have them in the car- MrsMC needed one when a cyclist came off on ice in front of her a couple of winters ago.
Just don't ever ride anywhere that Family Morecash may be near
At a site like that I'd expect all staff to have outdoor 1st aid training and be able to deal with a situation like that properly. And in the case of an injury like that, that does not involve being hands off because of Covid.
Hope she’s ok..! Sounds pretty scary.
I think, given this, I’ll get some tin foil blankets for the back pack – was going to pick up a basic first aid kit the other day, but couldn’t find one.
@fossy, well done for sticking around and helping.
I've been a first aider for a while. Never seen an off the shelf first aid kit that ive liked. I have a green waterproof first aid bag with a white Cross on and I've put together my own kit from experience of what I've used in the past. It's also cheaper that way. Hopefully if I'm down, someone can find it easily in my bag!
Something like this.
First aid kits usually come with scissors and safety pins etc that you really don't want. Plus stuff usually has a best before date that soon comes round and needs replacing.
There was a really good thread on here a while ago from some experienced people about what they carried in a kit from experiences they have had.
Also, a first aid kit with no training isn't great but its better than nothing.
I've swapped the foil blanket for an emergency Bivi in my long ride pack. Covers 2-3 people so casualty plus whoever stays with them can stay warm. Fortunately not had to use it yet.
Good effort staying and helping 👍.
Some good stuff here - can I start a 'minimal emergency stuff kit list' thread after today. I have a waterproof and cable ties....
I'll get it in my bag, not for me, but for others. I have a rather good multi-tool, that's fixed way more ride mates bikes than it has me, but I don't carry 'fix my mate up/stop him getting frozen' kits ?
I really don’t know how the copter landed twice – dropped the medics right by the trail with all the old tree stumps and young trees, then moved away onto some long grass. After we were told we could go, I tried to carry the bike over the grass and fell into a big divot (I did laugh) but it was really tricky, not a heli pad.
They are something else aren’t they the pilots. A long time ago I was riding at Nantmawr Quarry (for those that remember that place) dropped into the 4X track and there was a kid there that had clearly broken his leg, with his mates helping. A helicopter arrived and semi landed/hovered on the steep hill side and dropped the paramedics off then mooched the copter along the hill until it levelled off a touch then landed properly so they could load the lad the paramedics had stabilised. Take my hat off to them.
Well done everyone today.