Safety and Etiquette

Accidents

We all hope it doesn't happen but sometimes despite care, attention and the best planning accidents will occur so it's best to be prepared and know what to do and in what order.

What to do.

We have quite a number of club riders with first aid training who will be familiar with the following list which forms part of a standard First Aid Trainig course.

  1. Remain calm and think of yourself first - make sure you are safe. Count to 10 and look around you to survey the scene before acting.
  2. Get other people off the road and away from danger.
  3. Make the area safe. Ask for two (or more) people to stop or warn other road users if necessary.
  4. Assess the casualty if qualified to do so or ask if anybody has a first aid qualification. Do not move the casualty unless absolutely necessary.
  5. Call the emergency services if required by dialling 999 or 112. They will need to know your location and the details of the injured parties. Identify your location by either a grid reference or using apps such as what3words.com or OS Locate.
  6. If you're off road, send people to the nearest accesable road to meet and guide emergency services.
  7. Reassure the casualty and, if they are conscious, ask whom they would like to be contacted. If they are unconscious, try and locate their emergency contact details (ICE) on their phone or race licence.
  8. Keep an eye on the rest of the group - look out for anybody suffering from shock, which can be dangerous.
  9. When help arrives, ask where the casualty is being taken so you can inform their emergency contact. Try and get the job number as well in case the ambulance is redirected en route. Do not go with the casualty.
  10. Make a note of any witnesses and other parties. Record briefly what happened and take photos of the scene. Complete a BC Incident form as soon as practicable and contact.
  11. Decide what to do with the casualty’s bike and possessions - perhaps a local resident could look after it for the time being, or you could lock it up somewhere and retrieve it at a later date?
  12. Decide whether to continue with the ride. People may appreciate the chance to sit down quietly and discuss what has happened over a hot drink. They may also feel able to carry on with the ride as planned.
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