Hello Fellow Wingers,

I would like to share with you a message from one of Louisiana Chapter Directors. This is why we do what we do in this organization. You don't know when you have to put it to use.

Thanks to Paul Whittington LA-M Chapter Director.

FIRST AID AND CRASH SCENE TRAINING BECOMES ALL TOO REAL

Following Chapter LA M’s gathering on 15 August 2009, we went on a group ride.  Traveling west on Hwy 474;  we neared a dangerous curve and slowed to 35 MPH.  While negotiating the curve, a motorcycle traveling the opposite direction swerved to avoid a hazard.  As he swerved left, he startled a rider in our group, and caused him to swerve hard to the right and drop the rear wheel of his bike off the pavement.  The rider hit the rear brake and lost control of the bike.  The bike slid sideways and hit a tree.  The co-rider was ejected, hit the tree and landed under it.    The bike and rider spun around the tree, tumbled through the air and landed about twenty feet away

Shouts were broadcast over the CB; “Bike left the Road”, and “Bike Down”.  The group came to a halt, 911 was called, we cleared the road, set up traffic control, went to the rider and co-rider to keep them stable and awake, fanned them and applied damp cloths to keep them cool.   The rider was complaining of neck pain, so his head was stabilized by knees on each side of his head.  Shortly first responders and police arrived, and we assisted them as much as possible, with information as to injuries, medications taken, personal information and shade.

Both of the injured were loaded into an ambulance and trans-ported to the hospital.  We went too and provided information to the family.  Later that evening, both were released from the hospital.  The rider has a stable neck fracture and the co-rider is severely bruised.

The way in which Chapter M was able to respond to this accident and secure the Crash Scene is the result of extensive training made available by GWRRA.  GWRRA has in its motto, FUN – the ride, SAFETY – clear the road & traffic control, and KNOWLEDGE - secured the crash scene stabilized the injured, kept them awake and calm, and provide care until the medical personnel arrived.”  This is a tribute to GWRRA, and the Rider Education Department for ensuring the knowledge is available to all members, and encouraging them to participate in the Level’s Program. 

 Paul & Linda Whittington, Chapter Directors, LA –M “THE MUDBUGS”