TRAIL SIDE BODY REPAIRS

Article compliments of Kevin Rainbolt - a paramedic
Additional body repair kit items courtesy of Tom Neumayer - also a paramedic

This article contains information that will help you with:

  • Cuts and Abrasions
  • Heat Stroke
  • Broken Bones
  • First Aid Kit

Welcome to my first article dedicated to our little trail-side disasters. My intentions are to provide you with the information necessary to prevent, treat, and hopefully recover from the injuries that can occur while enjoying this sport. The articles will be updated regularly, and each will cover specific injuries or prevention methods. In reading this, please remember that this is simply advice, and that any and all injuries should be evaluated by a physician. I hope that my advice may help to make your time on the trails more enjoyable.

The following paragraphs will give you some basic knowledge in first aid. However, first I would like to mention that the first step in treating an injury should be to prevent it whenever possible. We all know the rules, but I feel that I should state them for any of you who may not have heard them.

1. ALWAYS wear a helmet, and any other protective gear that your ride may require.

2. ALWAYS ride with at least one friend (it can be very difficult to drag yourself and your bike 10 miles out of a trail with a broken leg).

3. Keep yourself in good physical condition. Studies have proven that people who are in good physical condition are less likely to suffer injuries due to trauma than those who are not.

4. ALWAYS stretch before riding. This not only helps to prevent injury, but is also thought to help increase endurance.

5. ALWAYS ride within your limits. Just because your friend can get some major air off that hill and walk away safely, doesn't mean that you can.

6. Finally, if you're not having fun, then you are problem doing something wrong. Don't push yourself so hard that you can't enjoy riding; that defeats the whole purpose of riding.

Cuts and Abrasions

Cuts and abrasions are probably the most common injuries from mountain biking. While most of these are only minor and require little treatment, some definitely warrant immediate attention. Minor cuts and scrapes can usually wait until you get home to treat. However, you may consider sparing a little water to rinse the grit and mud from them. Once you get home be sure to cleanse the areas well, and apply an antibiotic ointment and bandaid to them. This may seem like you are over doing it, but it will help the wound heal more quickly so that you can tear it open again on your next ride. More severe cuts may need some immediate attention. Anytime that you receive a cut that will not stop bleeding quickly on it's own, you should apply a bandage and direct pressure. I realize that you probably don't carry a medicine cabinet with you, so a portion of your T shirt, rag, etc. will do temporarily. If this will not relieve the bleeding, raise the body part affected above your heart. This decreases the amount of blood flow to the wounded area, decreases the amount of bleeding, and allows the wound to clot. Any injury requiring this much immediate treatment should be evaluated in the nearest emergency room so that sutures (stitches) can properly close the wound.

Heat Sroke

Heat related illnesses are also very predominant in mountain biking. I can't stress enough that your body has to stay hydrated to perform effectively. We've all been to that point where you get dizzy, light headed, or feel like you're going to puke, and I'm sure that you'll agree that it is not a pleasant feeling. Always remember to increase your water intake on hotter days, or days when you plan to ride harder/ farther that usual. A few extra ounces of water can be the difference in whether you ride back to the parking area, or are carried by your friends (worse yet, one of the hermits that live in the woods). Any unexplained diificulties in your overall performance, or feeling of well being can be related to dehydration. Some signs and symptoms of dehydration include, but are not limited to: fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomitting, disorientation, headache, cramps, and of course thirst. If you have any reason to beleive that you may be dehydrated, stop riding drink plenty of fluid, cool in the shade, and do not continue until you feel that you have recuperated. Be aware that following dehydration are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. These are two very serious medical conditions that can lead to death. Once again, the best treatment is prevention.

Broken Bones

Although we never anticipate them, broken bones do occur from time to time along our hallowed trails. Anytime that you suspect a bone may be broken, it should be splinted using any items that are available and useful. Once again shirts, rags etc. can be used to secure the splint. Tree limbs, pieces of wood or other rigid items may be used for the actual splint. Locate the area of the injury from which the pain seems to come from, or in more serious cases where the limb is actually bent unnaturally. You will want to apply a splint that will be long enough to immobilize the joint before and after the fractured area (example: if the forearm is injured make sure the elbow and wrist are secured in the splint). Tie the splint just tight enough to secure it and prevent the limb from moving. This will help to alleviate the pain and assure that no further injury is done to the tissues under the skin. Upon completing the splinting, the person should be evaluated in the nearest emergency room.

First Aid Kit

Its a good idea to carry the following items in a water-proof zip lock bag:

  • 1 - 8in x 10in combine dressing (In case something -really- bad happens)
  • 5 - Butterfly closures (To keep the nasty cuts closed until you can get to the ER)
  • 10 - 4in x 4in gauze dressings (General patch jobs)
  • 5 - Alchohol preps or wipes (Get the crap out of those cuts soon, they heal faster)
  • 3 - Rolls gauze bandage (To hold the dressings on)
  • 1 - Roll tape (Works for everything from holding dressings on to holding broken stuff onto your bike)
  • 10 - Assorted size Band-aids ('Nuff said)
  • 3 - Triangular bandages (To make a sling/swath, or to hold a splint together)
  • 1 - Cold Pack (For sprains, breaks, etc)
  • 1 - Small bottle Aleve (NSAID pain reliever.. Take it right after an injury so you won't hurt as bad LATER)
  • 1 - Small pack Benadryl (Antihistamine.. Take after being stung by a Bee, Wasp, Etc. or if you start sneezing)
  • 1 - Tube Antibiotic ointment (For post-cleaning protection)
  • 1 - Cell phone (Just in case something insanely bad happens)

This is just my suggestion on what to carry out there to deal with the common injuries and situations you can run into on the trail. The entire pack I described is extremely light, and all fits into an extremely small pouch. Your mileage may vary, and always consult a physician about any injuries requiring treatment.

In conclusion, anytime that you are injured on the trails and feel that you need medical attention, by all means seek it. In some cases your family physician can make special considerations to see you on short notice. Emergency room physicians are always glad to see new customers, and when in doubt just pick up the phone and dial 911.