BRANDY FERGUSON, MD DISASTER MED/EMS FELLOW GWU HOSPITAL
CYCLING FIRST AID
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OUTLINE Scenarios Common injuries First aid care Techniques
Supplies
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OBJECTIVES What would you do (as a first responder) when
encountering an accident What tools and techniques can you use How
to feel comfortable with different injuries
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COMMON CYCLING INJURIES Head Injuries Broken Bones/Sprains
Collapse Lacerations/road rash Wounds, bleeding
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FIRST AID GOALS Provide aid to others Prevent worsening
injury/damage Treat/stabilize patient until help arrives
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FIRST AID TOOLS: WATER BOTTLE KIT Easy to use Compact Can be
used for different injuries Can buy pre-assembled kit Can make your
own kit
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WATER BOTTLE KIT: DIY General Equipment Small scissors Duct
tape Tweezers Headlamp Medications Tylenol Ibuprofen Antihistamine
pills
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WATER BOTTLE KIT: DIY CPR/Bleeding Nitrile gloves Antimicrobial
hand wipe Wound Care Antibiotic ointment 3-inch square gauze pads
Gauze wrap Band-aids Wound-closure strips
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WATER BOTTLE KIT: DIY Blister care Blister pads Moleskin Broken
Bones/Sprains ACE Bandage Ice packs
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CASE #1
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60 year old male cyclist on Rock Creek Parkway Suddenly falls
to the ground He is not moving What next?
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APPROACHING THE SCENE C are Be aware of any dangers (moving
traffic, blind bends) R econnaissance How many people are injured?
Minor or serious injuries? I nform Call for assistance or call 911
T reat Assess affected persons, do not move patient
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ASSESSING THE PATIENT: ABCs: A irway Look for objects in mouth
Look for any injuries to mouth, neck, chest B reathing Look,
listen, feel C irculation Check for pulses, look for bleeding No
breathing or circulation: start CPR!!
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BACK TO THE CASE CRIT done: Scene safe, 1 injured person,
called for help, treatment started ABCs: No airway issues Patient
not breathing No pulse CPR started
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BACK TO THE CASE 911 called Ambulance en route CPR continues
Supplies to use from water-bottle kit?
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COLLAPSE
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Important things to remember: Scene safety is key! Use CRIT and
ABCs Call for help Look for injuries, bleeding Start CPR if
needed
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CASE #2
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42 year old female involve in collision with oncoming car
Helmet broken Confused, vomiting What next?
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ASSESSING THE SCENE CRIT assessment complete Scene safety No
other injured persons Called for help Treatment in process ABCs
Airway is clear Breathing normally Good pulses What are we most
concerned about?
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HEAD INJURY Different types: Lacerations (cuts) to scalp
Concussion Shaking of the brain Compression Bleeding in the brain
Skull fracture
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HEAD INJURY Important things to assess: Check ABCs Level of
consciousness Alert and responsive Verbal: responds to speech Pain:
responds to pain Unresponsive: no response Monitor pulse, breathing
Look for wounds, bleeding
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HEAD INJURY: TREATMENT Control bleeding Check your water bottle
kit Do not move patient! Do not remove helmet! Keep head still Wait
for assistance to arrive
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CASE #3
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21 year old male fall into brush Has large branch in left leg
He removes branch and has profuse bleeding What next?
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ASSESSING THE SCENE CRIT assessment complete Scene safety No
other injured persons Called for help Treatment in process ABCs
Airway is clear Breathing normally Good pulses What are we most
concerned about?
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BLEEDING Body reacts to bleeding in 3 ways: Blood clots Ends of
blood vessels contract Blood pressure falls
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BLEEDING Preventing blood loss: P osition patient E
xpose/explore for other wounds E levate affected limb P
ressure
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BLEEDING: APPLYING PRESSURE
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If bleeding after 10 mins of direct pressure: Apply pressure to
pressure point If gauze soaked, add additional gauze to wound
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BLEEDING: APPLYING PRESSURE
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BACK TO THE CASE CRIT done: Scene safe, 1 injured person,
called for help, treatment started ABCs: No airway issues Patient
breathing Good pulses Blood oozing from left leg
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BACK TO THE CASE Supplies from water bottle kit
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BACK TO THE CASE Bleeding controlled with 10 mins of direct
pressure Bandage applied with gauze and gauze roll Patient
transferred to medical facility for further care
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CASE #4
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33 year old female starts biking portion of Nations Triathlon
Involved in bike collision Falls onto right arm What next?
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BROKEN BONES Function of the skeleton Gives shape and support
Protects internal organs Major bones surrounded by major blood
vessels and nerves
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BROKEN BONES Broken bone (fracture) types: Closed Bone is
broken but there are no wounds or broken skin Open External wound
located adjacent to or over fracture Bone may be protruding from
skin Complicated Broken bones causing damage to vital organs
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BROKEN BONES Common fractures from cycling accidents:
Hand/wrist Forearm Collar bone Shin Ankle
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BROKEN BONES: SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Swelling Loss of movement
Irregularity Pain Deformity Unnatural movement Area tender to
touch
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BROKEN BONES: TREATMENT Upper limbs Support in comfortable
position ACE bandage or gauze wrap Lower limbs Do not move unless
scene unsafe Do not try to straighten limb Continuous monitoring of
pulse in upper/lower limbs
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BROKEN BONES Sometimes difficult to tell if injury is a
fracture or sprain Treat as a broken bone until person receives
further medical care
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BACK TO THE CASE CRIT done: Scene safe, 1 injured person,
called for help, treatment started ABCs: No airway issues Patient
breathing Good pulses Deformity to right forearm, no wounds or
bleeding
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CASE #4: TREATMENT Placed right arm in position of comfort Used
ACE bandage or gauze wrap for sling Monitored pulses Patient taken
for further medical evaluation
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CASE #5
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24 year old male traveling at high speed falls from bicycle
Skids across asphalt to a halt Complaining of severe pain/burning
to right side What next?
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ROAD RASH These injuries look and feel painful Important to
look for: Any broken bones Internal injuries Bleeding Head or neck
injuries
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ROAD RASH: TREATMENT Look for associated injuries Wash out dirt
from wound Cover with antibiotic ointment/gauze Consider pain
medication Need medical attention for detailed wound care Area
needs to be thoroughly scrubbed/cleansed
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BACK TO THE CASE CRIT done: Scene safe, 1 injured person,
called for help, treatment started ABCs: No airway issues Patient
breathing Good pulses Road rash to right side of body, no active
bleeding
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BACK TO THE CASE Dirt washed out from wound Antibiotic ointment
and gauze applied Patient transferred for further care
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SUMMARY Be prepared! Always apply CRIT Assess ABCs Always call
for help Feel comfortable providing first aid for different
injuries
