h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

As an ex first aider I've always been told in no uncertain terms to leave the helmet in place unless you need to remove it for CPR. When it actually happened, I dutifully followed the advice.

However as an ex-biker, I've always had a sneaking suspicion that all the stories we are told about good samaritans causing serious damage are actually pretty rare, and possibly even outweighed by the number of times serious damage has gone unnoticed because the helmet was left on.

The cynic in me suspects that in the UK, you are merely minimising the risk of being sued for causing injury by avoiding the head and neck altogether. Perhaps German laws are different.

It wouldn't be the first time that apparently obvious and ubiquitous advice has changed. I'm willing to be convinced either way.

Out of interest, who was running this first aid refresher? Might it be a good idea to check with a hospital or something about their info and if it's wrong, to report them before someone gets sevferely damaged by the advice being given???

it's run by the Malteser Hilfdienst - they are like the St John's Ambulance as far as I can gather. Very experienced and they run ambulances and things for incidents.

I'm waiting for some feedback from German paramedics.

I'm also in two minds about this. It is clear that as we learn more about how our bodies work and don't work, that advice changes. CPR is totally different now to what I first learned, and it seems that even the breathing part of that is in question.

So I'm prepared to follow current guidelines - as long as they are clear and not in dispute.

Well, the very first thing you do is ask them 'You alright mate?' and when they reply with a string of expletives along the lines of 'of course I bloody ain't, I've just been knocked off my bike' you at least know they are conscious and aware of their situation and surroundings.

The problem with removing the lid as mentioned is that pulling it off can extend the spine and make any injuries there worse. There's also the problem that there could be skull damage and the lid might be the only thing holding their head together.

Now both are less likely than there being no problem. But the risk just ain;t worth it.

Also, correct removal of the lid is a 2 person, at least, task where one person tries to hold the head still and in place whilst the other gently slides the lid off.

I used to have a 'in case of accident do not remove' sticker on my old lid.

Oh, interesting, just found this via google:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1415389

from Feb 2006, exactly the same question from German first aid training.

but just google "motorbike accident helmet removal" (without quotes) for lots and lots and lots of people sdaying don't, plus videa and instructions on how to do it properly if you absolutely have to.

Ictoan, that was me reviving that question on UKGSer

I did wonder ...

hehe
thanks, Bea...

I would go along with not removing crash helmet unless doing CPR. It is difficult to know what to do if come across a major road accident for fear of making things worse. In car accidents aparantly some car drivers die due to being unconscious and airway being closed as slumped forward. We are constantly told not to move someone after an accident but apparantly a lot of people can be saved if unconscious by simply lifting head a little to open airway. But it is the do or don't I situaation for fear of making matters worse.
I worked as a Swimming Teacher/ Lifeguard many years ago and constantly practised CPR but never had to use it, infact the most major incident injurywise was a man hit by car outside who had both bones in leg broken. All that nonsense about using jackets to stop leg moving is rubbish as he couldn't stop moving due to pain. First Aid books are good but I found the reality is a lot differant when dealing with the possibley hundreds of cut noses, bruises, etc over years.