Removing helmet after accident

Motorcycling
1

Hello everybody,

Since I know this to be a controversial subject among bikers, I just wanted to let you know what the latest “official” line is on removing a motorcycle helmet following an accident.

In the course of my HGV training, I just spent the past weekend doing a 16-hour First Aid class, where this subject was covered in great detail … even practising the maneuver on each other with the help of a crash helmet, with both 1 and 2 people to do the maneuver.

Basically – if you come to the scene of an accident, and find a biker lying in the ditch, the first step will be to try and talk to him.

If he is conscious – leave it up to him whether the helmet is removed or not.

If he is unconscious – the helmet MUST COME OFF!

The reason behind this is that you have to bring an unconsious person into a position where they are lying on their side, with their mouth lower than their stomach. This will prevent them from choking on their own blood and vomit while their reflexes are “knocked out” from unconciousness.

Now on the subject on “how” to remove the helmet – there are different techniques. You can do it with one person, or with two. It involves slowly pulling the helmet from the top while kneeling above the person, steadying the lid with your knees, and preventing the head from moving much when it comes out of the helmet. If there are two helpers, one pulls the helmet slowly, while the other steadies the head from below.

It was interesting to see how controversial this subject was… there was one biker in our class who steadfastly refused to accept that this is the best thing to do, despite the “offical” chap from the Red Cross (who’s driven ambulances for quite some time) trying to convince him otherwise. The bottom line is – even if there is a possible neck injury, it will do the unconscious biker no good if they choke on their own blood before the ambulance arrives!

Also, if you haven’t already, go book a first-aid class. You will learn a lot of very useful information on how to deal with everything from bike accidents to heart attacks, and how to actually use all the brilliant kit that’s in a first-aid box in a vehicle properly. Let’s hope it never happens but face it, as bikers with a high risk hobby it’s possible you are one day the one who finds somebody lying on the tarmac after an “off”, and it’s much better to be able to do something helpful instead of just staring and doing nothing. Getting a bike licence in the UK doesn’t require one, but it probably should. Well worth the 30 quid it cost!

  • Stefan Mechanic
2

i suppose the best thing you could do in that situation would be to have a flip-up lid, that way they can just lift the front to let you vomit away to your hearts content without removing the lid

3

Thanks

Very useful to know - my inclination would have been to leave helmet on.

4

okay am convinced will book myself on a first aid course for riders…have done first aid many times but need a refresher.

5

When we did our first aid course a couple of weeks ago we found the flip front lids to be the worst! The mechanisms are often difficult to reach and can be damaged during a crash. Because of the way they are made, the helmet hardly expands widthways and is incredibly difficult to remove if the flip front isn’t working.

The paramedics who trained us told us in no uncertain terms that if the casualty isn’t consciuous and you can’t confirm they are breathing the helmet should come off. If the casualty is choking on their own tongue/blood/vomit, keeping the lid on will kill them - not their injuries.

If anybody hasn’t done the Fisrt Bike On Scene Course - do it asap. Speak to Ginger about it.

6

I had a good chat to the FBOS paramedics at NEC bike show last week. I took part in a lid removal demo and it’s convinced me to book a course in the spring.They too mentioned that flip front lids cause more problems with removal.

It’s also important to pull the lid width-ways by the straps when removing it to give a bit of clearance for the lug-holes:w00t:

7

Also you may find that First Aid courses do not cover it has to be the FBOS course.

8

To be fair, on the FBOS it was difficult to get a flip top lid to flip open, but they came off without flipping them anyway, i.e. treating them as if they were a full-face lid, IYSWIM.

Hardest one for me to take off was a “race-fitting” full face helmet

9

Without being pedantic Chunks, ideally DON’T use the straps. If they’re damaged or your hands are wet then you may let go, they may slip or they may even break. Not good during a delicate process. Always grip the helmet itself to expand it. Yeah FBOS - Ginger is the go-to guy. He arranged it all, and I cannot tell you how worthwile an investment it is…

10

Your flip fronts did, however not easily, but some of the flip fronts go further under the chin hence the problem. I actually found when observing the full face Arai appeared less tricky to take off :cool:

11

ooh what a lovely wintry scene debz, sorry to hijack the thread!:smiley:

12

Fair enough Debz. It’s just how it felt to me. I suppose there’s also an element to it that I’m not so bothered about pulling Emma’s nose off, whereas I’m more wary of doing it to a relative stranger :slight_smile:

13

:laugh: True - when it came to pulling off Grims helmet I was much rougher :wink:

14

what makes you think you should leave it up to him if the helmet is removed or not

when i come off my bike i wss concious and i didnt remove it (but then i wanst able to remove it people kept my head still etc)

me personally i wouold say to them not to remove thier helmet as the could have a spinal injury and removing their own helmet could cause more damae and two people remove the helmet for the biker then steady thier head

by all means if they are unconscious then the helmet must come off in the safest way and the head must always be supported

15

I did a first aid course a couple of months ago. The instructor saw my helmet and knew I was a rider and so introduced a small element of First on the Scene to the course. Take the helmet off - rider will die if they cannot breath and the risk of leaving it on when they are unconscious is greater than taking the helmet off.

I wear a flip lid, have a label on the side that says “A+ Blood, No Allergies”. That is all the info they need to start with.

16

Far too much info there debz jeez :Dhopefully another fbos can be sorted for next year would really like to attend one.