Bad afternoon

Heard about that on the news today. Is tha the one that shut down 78 for a while? Sad thing, someone out for a Sunday ride won't ever have that opportunity again. Terrible to see someone die while you're helpless to do anything to stop it. You did a truly heroic deed today and I for one commend you. These days, sadly, many people don't want to get involved.

I truly feel for the boy. He lost his father today and this is no way to watch a parent go.

I agree fully with what you say about being safe. We only have one life to live... Rich

Couldn't have said it better.

Chris

Wow, that must have been a dreadful experience for you. Sounds like you did everything you could, sad, very sad.

Kevin in San Diego did pass the time by typing:

.. Words fail me, but take solace in the fact you did what you could. From the description even an ambulance or ER couldn't have helped.

Today, I personally own three street motorcycles. I've been riding since

1977 and when I hear stories like this, I questi> I was on my way back from Julian this afternoon when I guy about a

Even for people who are 'used' to this kind of thing, it can be tough. Take solace in the fact that you did what you could.

For those who may come upon something similar, please try to remember this- NEVER try to remove someones helmet. If the patient has a neck injury, just the effort it takes to remove a helmet can cause further injury, sometimes to the point of death.

Kevin, in your case the patients breathing was impaired, and the son removed the helmet. The correct way would have been for someone to hold the head(helmet)/shoulder area to prevent movment, then roll the patient onto their side, allowing fluids to be drained out of the mouth. It would take at least two people to do it, and every situation is different, but it could be the difference between life and death.

damn....i'm sorry you had to go through that-you're a hero in my book...

I have taken cpr about a million times. When I was a kid, I was a pool lifeguard for years. Then when I was in the military they teaght me cpr and first aid. Now that I work in hospitals and Drs offices as an ultrasound tech I need CPR every year as well. I specialize in cardiac ultrasound so Ive been around lots of codes and emergency rooms. Its actually the second time Ive done compressions and breathing. Ive never done rescue breathing without a bag before like this. This time was by far the bloodiest. The one way mask I had really got messy fast. Although I have taken first aid and basic cardiac life support a bunch of times. Its all really basic stuff. I really dont have any real experience with that kind of trauma. I was in waaay over my head. It was such a serious situation, someone had to do something.

It was at the point where I had a heart beat, but no way to get any air in there. We both figured that it was try and get an airway going or his heart was going to stop too. We were afraid to remove the helmet, but even more afraid not to get him some air. I ran to my car to get a CPR mask and a knife to cut the chin strap. When I got back from the car the helmet was off. The son said he removed it. I was relieved. I couldnt find my mask and gave him a breath without one despite the blood. That got blood and vomit all over me. I half expected that because every cpr class I ever took said that cpr was a nasty thing and people often vomit. It was awful. Then I think someone had a bag of gear and we dug out a mask. After a minute or so it became apparent to me that this guy wasnt going to make it no matter what I did. Everyone just stood there while I did everything. I think everyone was terrified of the blood and mess. From that point it was just keep doing cpr so that I knew I was doing everything possible until someone more qualified could make the call. I think some rescue guys in a jeep showed up with some gear. The only ambu bag (bag for giving breaths) they had was a pediatric sized one. It was very frustrating. They had no working suction either. They just worked with me instead of asking me to leave. I guess that means I was doing all the right things. While his heart was still beating, the bleeding was so bad you could see it spurting out his nose with each beat. Im sure his lungs were full of blood. I had the smell of vomit and blood on me even after a long shower. I realize I did as much as I could, he really died on impact I guess. At least it went quick for him. The son who watched it all is going to have a long hard time dealing with this I think. His son just kept thanking me while the paramedics took over. The professionals were all really busy so I just tried to occupy the sons time and help him deal with what he was seeing. All I could say to the son was that anyone in my shoes would have done it. Thinking back, I was the first guy there who had any kind of training I guess. Everyone should take cpr at least once. I felt really helpless. KH

"Retiredff" wrote in message news:OEslc.4546$ snipped-for-privacy@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...

Kevin, Having done something very similar myself, I know how you feel. Keep in mind that if he had a full-face helmet on and was still bleeding from the mouth/nose, he was likely busted up internally so bad that nothing you or anyone else did anywhere could possibly have saved him.

You did his son a tremendous service that day. He and the rest of his family will never have the dread of second guessing 'what if someone had tried to save him'. You DID try and everyone saw it. Despite how bad you feel now, I guarantee that his family is grateful for what you did. If he only had 0.000001% chance of survival, you gave him every bit of it. That's still the gift of life to his family. If you go to his funeral, don't be too surprised if everyone in his family hugs you and thanks you for what you did.

Also, talk with someone professionally about this. What YOU went through can have sneaky damaging effects on you for some time to come. You might not hink you're damaged from this experience but just remember: "Crazy people don't think they're crazy - they just think everyone's picking on them".

Take care of yourself now.

Cheers, - Jeff G

An atheist's prayer? What's that good for?

-Bill (remove "botizer" to reply via email)

I was an EMT in the DC area for a while. Tough job.

The weird th> I was on my way back from Julian this afternoon when I guy about a

Thanks for helping. I cant count how many times I have come up on a downed rider, or someone hurt in a car, and people are just standing there with their thumbs in the wrong places. It sounds like you know what you are doing, and you were prepared. I carry a basic kit on my bike. There are situations where you can do no more, and this was one of them. I have been where you are now, and it has kept me awake many nights. Even the best doctor can't save everyone, so I just do as I would have others do.

Kevin-

I congradulate you for stopping most would not have even done that. I am a firefighter and see that kinda stuff all the time. its always hard to see something like that. I am sure the memory will stay with you along time. I can still remember seeing my first tramatic death which was over 15 years ago like it was yesterday. I am sure talking about it here has helped. How you feel now is not any different from how anybody else would feel. best thing i can think of is just talk about it dont keep it inside it will eat you up.From my stand point you really never get used to it you just learn how to deal with it. Wish there were more people like you a true hero. I may do it for a living but to me its my job my life style your the hero. My e-mail is open if you need to talk.

Scott

Wow, you guys have all been really great! Just getting some feedback, especially from people I dont really know is very helpful. It is very hard to explain how I feel, but I hope to feel better about it soon.

I sure dont feel like a "hero".

I was just at the right place with the right kind of experience I guess. What bubba said is also very helpful. Just knowing that the son saw someone helping is way better than him having to wonder what if someone had tried to help but no one was there. KH

this newsgroup isnt all that bad after all :) KH

Sure it is. Try asking about what parts will make a Lexus an off-road vehicle, or how to lower a GPW and put 21 inch spinner-wheels on it.

Paul Calman did pass the time by typing:

Oh that's easy.

Q: what parts will make a Lexus an off-road vehicle A: failed brakes or

Q: how to lower a GPW A: Q: and put 21 inch spinner-wheels on it. A: oops. :)