Re: [RC] Perhaps First Aid Training should be added to our horse training? - Debbie Lyons

I am a ICU Nurse with first aid training, my husband was a life flight paramedic, now ER nurse for 30 years. Who carries equipment and drugs when they are trail/endurance riding?? We certainly don't. The important thing to know is when someone needs help is when not to move someone, and how to control bleeding.

 

Rules of thumb:

 

Endurance riders are great at sucking it up and going without an ER visit and sometimes we suffer pain without brain syndrome. I was on a ride once where a friend got dumped in some rocks. He said his ribs hurt and he was able to get back on his horse and get into camp. He refused to go to the ER until we refused to give him any more pain medication. When he finally went to the ER they found several fractures.

 

If someone is knocked unconscious they MUST seek medical help. Being unconscious, losing vision or severe headaches can be a sign of severe head trauma that may worsen.

 

If it looks broke - splint, ice, elevate and immobilize - don't ever try to realign a broken extremity.

 

Don't move anyone you suspect of a back or neck injury. You can cause paralysis by attempting to move them.

 

Stop bleeding but DON'T put a tourniquet on anything. If they are shocky make them lay down and put their feet higher than their head.

 

If someone has chest pain/shortness of breath make them rest, if exercise makes it worse they may not be able to walk out.

 

Don't pull out an imbedded object, i.e. tree branch as opposed to a splinter. Sometimes you can do more damage than if you left it for a surgeon to remove.

 

Carry a GPS and cell phone so you can tell emergency responders exactly where you are - if you are lucky enough to actually get cell phone access. We don't in most of our back country areas.

 

MOST IMPORTANT: Please don't leave someone that may be hurt. There are some people that get so over excited about the race they will literally trot over the bodies without stopping to help. Remember to take care of each other.