Bicycle accident & first aid: When a fall becomes an emergency: "The biggest mistake is to do nothing!"

BIKE: Thomas, you've seen a lot on 2500 helicopter missions. What goes wrong in bike accidents?

Thomas Widerin: People want to help, but don't look at the situation, instead they immediately make an emergency call. As a result, they are unable to provide any information about what exactly has happened. But the helpers in the rescue control centres need information.

What should I bear in mind when making an emergency call?

The rescue coordination centre needs to know the exact location and a description of the situation. The moment the control centre dispatcher is precisely informed, you have won. Because then you will receive instructions over the phone on what to do next.

In the bike park, it's easier to tell where I am, but accidents on the bike are more serious. What should I do as first aid if a biker faints after a fall?

Here too: First establish what has happened. If the biker is actually unconscious, i.e.: no reaction to being approached and touched, but the injured person is still breathing. In this case, there is only one important measure to start with: you must turn the unconscious person into the recovery position! This is the first life-saving measure. Only then do you make the emergency call.

First aid for mountain bikes is provided by small breakdown assistants:

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What can happen - without the right first aid - to a person who is unconscious?

If an unconscious person remains lying on their back, there is a risk of suffocation. This is because the tongue falls back. Or vomit can get into the windpipe. Conclusion: Regardless of the injury, unconsciousness can lead to death. The lateral position is therefore a must.

We often hear that first aid can also harm the injured person - for example when removing a helmet: Should the helmet stay on or come off?

If the unconscious person is wearing a full-face helmet, you must remove the helmet. It often happens that first aiders do not remove the helmet because they are afraid of injuring the spine. However, the unconscious person may choke on vomit that collects in the full-face helmet.

What do I need to bear in mind when removing my helmet?

If possible, two people should remove the helmet. One person stabilises the neck, the other carefully pulls the helmet lengthways off the head. When freeriding, there are usually more than one person, so this should not be a problem.

When do I need to see a doctor after a fall on my head?

In the event of obvious wounds, unconsciousness, nausea, vomiting, disorientation and similar abnormalities, you must go to hospital immediately. Only there can it be checked exactly whether a blood vessel in the head has burst on impact. It has happened that such people have died a few hours later from a brain haemorrhage. If, on the other hand, you only have minor wounds or abrasions and no particular abnormalities, you can continue driving.

Many people are afraid of giving chest compressions during first aid because they could do something wrong here too.

The fear is completely unfounded. Many studies have shown: You can't do anything wrong during resuscitation. I have experienced many resuscitations and can't remember a single case where the first aider harmed a patient. The only thing you can do wrong is to do nothing.

When should I use chest compressions?

From the moment you realise that a person is no longer breathing. Then you must start resuscitation. 30 chest compressions, then two ventilations. If someone is not confident about giving artificial respiration or has hygiene concerns, then chest compressions are sufficient. This must be done quickly and vigorously. Kneel over the patient and press quickly and firmly in the centre of the chest with outstretched arms and hands placed on top of each other. Studies have shown that almost all first aiders do too little, i.e. they press too slowly or not deeply enough.

Do you often fly to the bike park?

In summer, hardly a day goes by without us flying into a bike park. Accidents there often end with serious injuries. Particularly important for the first aider in the bike park: cordon off the trail immediately, far enough in front of the accident site to prevent a secondary accident. My tip: call another helper immediately and divide the work: One helper stays with the injured person and carries out first aid. The second helper takes care of the cordon and the emergency call!

Who has to pay for the helicopter mission?

There are similar regulations throughout Europe with regard to costs: Only sports and leisure accidents are subject to costs. The classic case: a fall in a bike park. The accident victim has to pay for the intervention, which on average costs between 3000 and 4000 euros. However, 90 per cent of outdoor sports enthusiasts have some form of insurance that covers this. Whether through a credit card or membership of an alpine club, for example. My tip: check whether you have such insurance, because in an emergency you have no influence on whether a helicopter is called. This is decided by the rescue coordination centre.

What tips do you have for protective equipment when mountain biking?

Always wear a suitable helmet. It's amazing how many serious head injuries occur because hobby bikers don't wear a helmet. That won't happen to an ambitious freerider. For them: in rough terrain - full-face helmet! Even in the case of falls that look brutal, very little often happens if the biker is wearing full protective equipment. Conversely, we have been called out to accidents that looked tame but had serious consequences because the biker was not wearing any protective equipment. We at the rescue organisations are in favour of anything that protects. Even neck braces, for example, even if there is still little information about them. Anything that supports the neck and spine is recommended.

Fortunately, not all cycling accidents are so serious and require first aid. They are often just bruises. The PECH rule (rest, ice, compression, elevation) is recommended. What do you think?

That's how it is. Bruises hurt and it takes time to get back to full fitness. I can speed up the healing process with PECH. If I do nothing, the recovery phase is prolonged. Tip: Remember that you shouldn't put ice directly on the skin. I should always go to the doctor if, for example, I can no longer stand or my arm or leg starts to tingle. It often happens that people only realise much later that they have broken their wrist, for example. They have continued riding after the fall. My tip: If your movement is severely restricted or you're in a lot of pain, it's better to have it checked out clinically!

How should modern fall detectors, such as Angi or Tocsen, be assessed?

If someone is travelling alone, falls, has a collision and the system reports it, this is of course a great thing. However, according to various rescue control centres, up to 50 percent of reports are false alarms. These are triggered, for example, because the biker has used their helmet improperly, dropped it or thrown it into the car. Therefore: handle the sensor helmet with care!

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