Chris Smith, a local paramedic, spoke at the Summer HRBike meeting. Below is a summary of helpful information from Chris if we find ourselves in an emergency situation.

Stay Calm – Take a deep breath to get your thoughts together before calling 911. Clearly describe where you are, the details of what happened and the status of the person injured. Stay on the line until 911 says it is okay for you to hang up.

Don’t make the situation worse – If the injured party is in harm’s way, move them to safety as gently as possible keeping their head, neck and spine in alignment. To move them put your hands under their armpits and pull them to safety. If they can move on their own, it is probably okay for them to do so.

Figure out what is different from normal – Ask the injured person where they’re hurting and tell responders everything you know about what happened. If the injured person shows signs of shock – pale, cool skin, rapid heart rate & breath – cover them up.

Here’s what you can do now to be prepared…just in case…

Carry a list of medications on you and your phone – Chris says they’ll check your phone after they get you to the hospital, but will look on your person for a list at the scene. [FYI, Tim Harrison suggests getting a RoadID that shows your personal info & any health issues. Tim & Julia carry emergency contact information with them that you provided when joining the club.]

Tell those you ride with about your health conditions – Share any health issues that might cause problems like: asthma, allergies, heart issues or blood pressure. And, let your friends know where you keep remedies such as an inhaler, EpiPen, or medications.

Keep up with your location – While riding, note mail-box numbers & the name of the road; this will help responders find you sooner. Local counties only have a few emergency vehicles, so it could take a while to arrive.

Take a CPR class – If you are interested, let Tim Harrison know.

Bottom line: Do what you have to do to protect life and limb.