First Aid

Casualties wearing helmets

A full-faced helmet should only be removed if the injured rider does not have a clear airway and cannot breathe. Otherwise the helmet should remain in place unless the rider chooses to remove it him/herself.

In the situation where a casualty requires resuscitation and is wearing a full-faced helmet, the helmet must be removed by at least two people:

• The first person must ensure that the head and neck are completely stabilised and supported to avoid any further damage.
• The second person must carefully remove the helmet in a way that minimises all movement to the head and neck

Casualties encased in leathers

Bleeding wounds and burns can be hidden from view by riding leathers. Often the puncture made in the leathers is not a true indication of the severity of a wound.

Heavy and life-threatening blood loss requires that the wound be exposed so that direct pressure can be applied with bandages or clothing.

Bleeding wounds

Stop any bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound with bandages or clothing. If possible, elevate the bleeding part above chest level and keep the injured person as still as possible.

Severe burns

Extreme heat from exhausts and engine parts can be conducted and contained in leathers, burning trapped riders.

• Expose the burn and cool it with running water until it returns to a normal temperature.
• Remove clothing if possible from the burnt area. If it is stuck, cut around it; don’t attempt to pull it off.
• Remove jewellery to prevent restricted circulation caused by swelling.
• Protect the burnt area with a sterile or non-stick dressing or closely woven material.

St John DRABC action plan (List)

The St John DRABC action plan helps effectively manage casualties at crash scenes. The first thing to do is call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.

1. D: Danger - Check to see if it is safe to approach the injured person.
2. R: Response - Check if the person is conscious or not. Shake them gently and shout to them. If they don't respond, they are unconscious.
3. A: Airway - The airway must be protected. Roll them onto their side, being aware that their neck may be injured and needs to be stabilised while they are rolled.
4. B: Breathing - Once on their side, check that the mouth is clear of any obstructions such as blood or vomit and make sure that they are breathing.
5. C: Circulation - Stop any bleeding by applying direct pressure with bandages or clothing. If possible, elevate the bleeding part above the level of the chest. Keep the injured person as still as possible by packing clothing and equipment around them to prevent movement to the spine and any broken bones.

St John Ambulance NSW also conducts motorcycle training and provides first aid training with specialised first aid kits available for motorcyclists.