Accident scene management comes to Oz
If you're a motorcycle rider, the chances are you'll come across a bad crash during your travels – and how you react to the situation could make a huge differenceA company has been launched in Australia dedicated to empowering motorcyclists to take control of an accident scene until emergency services arrive at the scene.
‘Accident Scene Management Australia’ has adopted a similar curriculum to one that has been running in America since 1996, which not only concentrates on the fundamentals of first-aid, but takes a commonsense and practical approach to managing the scene of an accident through the so-called bystanders assistance program.
According to the Victorian-based director of the not-for-profit ASMA, Phil Lemin, normal first-aid and CPR, as vital as they are, simply do not provide the breadth of knowledge that motorcyclists require.
“And that’s where ASMA comes in, as we cover all aspects of a crash scene, from moving riders off the road – it may only be a metre or so – all the way to traffic control and evidence preservation in the case of a fatality.
“We also delve into the mechanisms of motorcycle trauma and different modes of injury – not simply what people can see. For example, a motorcyclist may look okay after a crash, but there may be internal injures which have to be managed until paramedics arrive at the scene. Those assessment techniques are vital.”
And as Lemin points out, a lot of motorcycle crashes happen in remote locales where response times from emergency services can be lengthy.
“The modern trend is to ring 000 and then do nothing until and ambulance arrives,” said Phil, who was a paramedic himself for 19 years. “That’s what we don’t want to see, and the ASMA course provides the knowledge base for bystanders to provide assistance.
“And if you’re not one for tending to, say, flesh wounds, there are certainly other ways you can help out, whether it’s managing traffic or controlling the scene.
“And you can use those skills in any situation where you come across a bike crash – not just for when you’re riding with your own mates. It’s all practical, sensible stuff.”
Lemin is a co-director of ASMA alongside Vicky Sanfelipo, the founder and director of ASMI in the USA.
Sanfelipo will shortly be arriving Down Under to conduct a course in Melbourne (which the Bikesales Network will attend) while Lemin continues the process of recruiting and training instructors to join the ASMA fold.
For more information on ASMA, visit www.asma.org.au or contact Lemin, tel 0428 951 535.
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