It was about 6 PM when I spotted a woman who looked a little out of it near the end of Borrego. She said she was okay, but when I quizzed further, she showed cuts on her elbows. I took out my first aid kit to help her clean up. Her name was Terri. After a few minutes of chatting with her, I helped her get up. She still looked a little dazed and shaken up, but repeately insisted she was okay. She could not articulate what exactly happened when she crashed. Made sure that she could walk, but I still did not feel at ease with her overall condition. Well, what would you do? I hope she made it back. I didn't want to call for help and incur a huge medical bill for a total stranger. Since Borrego is well traveled, I could only hope that there were others on the trail who could help her if she needed it as she staggered back to her car.
Me? I would have walked /escorted her out. Politely not taken no as an answer. I am sure she was fine. Guero... You crack me up...Says what we think...
Good for you looking out for Her. I've also been helped by strangers on the trail, and they may not know it but it was very much appreciated.
Personally I would walk/bike with her out of trail and to civilization. I once had a really bad crash which resulted in a concussion, afterwards everyone told me I insisted I was ok right after they found me but I don't remember a damn thing from that night till this day!
If it was me I would have walked her to her car then creep her out by asking if she wanted me to go home with her.
If she refused help, there isn't much you can do to help. If she had a cell phone, you could have her call someone to ensure that someone was looking out for her or waiting for her to check in at the end of the ride. Even if she is okay at the end, someone should be aware that she may have hit her head so they can watch for further signs of injury later on. You did the right thing by stopping, helping further is up to your assessment of how serious a situation it is and how comfortable you are providing care. Here is some more info: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000028.htm [h=2]First Aid[/h]Learning to recognize a serious head injury and give basic first aid can save someone's life. Get medical help right away if the person: Becomes very sleepy Behaves abnormally Develops a severe headache or stiff neck Has pupils (the dark central part of the eye) of unequal sizes Is unable to move an arm or leg Loses consciousness, even briefly Vomits more than once For a moderate to severe head injury, take the following steps: Call 911 right away. Check the person's airway, breathing, and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR. If the person's breathing and heart rate are normal but the person is unconscious, treat as if there is a spinal injury. Stabilize the head and neck by placing your hands on both sides of the person's head. Keep the head in line with the spine and prevent movement. Wait for medical help. Stop any bleeding by firmly pressing a clean cloth on the wound. If the injury is serious, be careful not to move the person's head. If blood soaks through the cloth, do not remove it. Place another cloth over the first one. If you suspect a skull fracture, do not apply direct pressure to the bleeding site, and do not remove any debris from the wound. Cover the wound with sterile gauze dressing. If the person is vomiting, to prevent choking, roll the person's head, neck, and body as one unit onto his or her side. This still protects the spine, which you must always assume is injured in the case of a head injury. Children often vomit once after a head injury. This may not be a problem, but call a doctor for further guidance. Apply ice packs to swollen areas. A more serious head injury that involves bleeding or brain damage must be treated in a hospital. For a mild head injury, no treatment may be needed. Be aware though, symptoms of a head injury can show up later. Follow the instructions below under Home Care. [h=2]DO NOT[/h] Do NOT wash a head wound that is deep or bleeding a lot. Do NOT remove any object sticking out of a wound. Do NOT move the person unless absolutely necessary. Do NOT shake the person if he or she seems dazed. Do NOT remove a helmet if you suspect a serious head injury. Do NOT pick up a fallen child with any sign of head injury. Do NOT drink alcohol within 48 hours of a serious head injury. [h=2]When to Contact a Medical Professional[/h]Call 911 right away if: There is severe head or face bleeding The person is confused, tired, or unconscious The person stops breathing You suspect a serious head or neck injury, or the person develops any signs or symptoms of a serious head injury [h=2]Home Care[/h]Friends or family may need to keep an eye on adults who have been injured after they are released from the emergency room or office. If the person is an athlete, follow the health care provider's instructions about when the person can return to sports. Parents or caregivers of children will need to learn how to keep an eye on the child after a head injury. Follow the health care provider's instructions on when the child can go back to being active and playing sports. After even a mild concussion do not do activities that can cause further head injury. Avoid tasks that require concentration or complicated thinking. These include reading, homework, preparing reports, and other kinds of brain stimulation. Also avoid bright lights and loud sounds. These can overstimulate the brain. Your health care provider can tell you more. [h=2]Follow-Up[/h]Keep all follow-up appointments with your health care provider. These help make sure you or your child is recovering well.
Hopefully you were kidding and not hard up Guero. Your comment was disgusting. Sorry for the post sometimes humor is poorly used and just stupid.
Lighten up a bit, This is a thread about helping when you can looking out for our fellow riders, but a little humor is ok. Hell we are known to help out and laugh about it at the same time...
The more I think back on this, the more I am convinced she was very much disoriented. For example, she said she didn't need help because she was almost at the end of Borrego. No, she had the ENTIRE LENGTH of Borrego to go. I commented on her Time pedals, and told her that I too had recently switched from Crankbrothers to Times. Just a few moments later, she said, "I will tell Larry that you said hi." "Uh...who's Larry?" "He works at Crank Brothers. Wait, no he works Rock'N Road". And she asked for my name about 10 times. It was during peak traffic on Borrego, so I really hope she got help on the way back.
Its OK prof... we probably would have heard if something went really wrong, but you gotta listen to those senses. Many a folks that I have helped, said they were OK at first, I am just polite and persistent and keep questioning, looking for a way to get more help or get them out. The reason I am more now because I have made a mistake or 2 example had a buddy fall on road ride on GMR, said he was ok let him drive home, 2 days later when I speak to him again. Did not remember the end of ride OR driving home. Now I am more cautious. Buddy of mine seriously save another buddy, on road ride...suddenly felt weak and nauseous...no particular reason, called 911 and you guessed he was having a literal heart attack, (full recovery and healthier than ever). We now follow the when in doubt ... there is no doubt especially when it comes to head, neck, chest, nausea, disorientation, puncture wound, serious dehydration, etc BUT that doesn't mean we call 911 for every cut, bruise and scalloped shin or cactus needles MTBbiking is can lead to bumpy bruisey days, but I now operate under the better safe than sorry. This from a guy that had to ride out 45 mins by myself with a broken wrist. Oh and as you probably guessed I am not in my 20s anymore...
It is important to learn to recognize possible head injuries. They are not always obvious. Not directly relevant to MTBs, but in scuba diving, the rule is that the first sign of someone having the bends is denial. Something similar can be said for concussions. It rarely hurts to call 911 and ask for advice. If you see the crash, you have a basis for assessing how serious it was and if the rider hit his or her head. If you didn't se it, assume the worst until you have good indications there is no head injury. Ask questions. Look at their eyes. Have them squeeze your fingers with their left and right hands and feel for loss of strength.
If I knew her, I would have been more persistent in helping her. Bruce is right. It might have been a good idea to call 911 and at least describe the situation to the dispatcher. I would venture to guess that most people, especially mountain bikers decliine help because they like to project the image of strength and resilience.
What was she wearing? Jbbikerider, I'm only asking for clinical / medicinal / official serious mountain biking forum purposes.
The only times I've been around people with concusssions they all insisted that they were fine....to the point of almost being combative. My buddy knew his birthday (something that doesn't change), but he couldn't tell you how old he was or what day of the week or who was president (things that change). Based on your description of the event she definitely had at least a mild concussion, maybe more. I'd have escorted her out and made sure someone she knew came and got her. A couple days later then it gives you the in to "check on your patient" and ask her on a date. My coworker met her husband when she twisted her ankle on a ride
If it's the Teri I know she's pretty tough and Larry is her good friend. Pro, you did what you could let your guilt go.....
