Protocol - Stopping

[martint235]

Curiosity really. I passed a cyclist down near Norwood Junction this afternoon. The car had stopped, the cyclist was awake and 4 people were already dealing with her including one other cyclist.

I didn't feel that my Lifesaver medal (which does include a first aid element) from Nelson Swimming Baths in 1979 really equiped me to offer anything to the situation so considering the build up of traffic, I just carried on.

Should we always stop to check? Was I a bad person?

 

[CopperCyclist]

No. Especially in the circumstances you describe.

Stop if you're a witness, stop if you think you can add something that isn't already present (doctor, help to block road, calm things down) but I definitely wouldn't stop just 'because'.

 

[jefmcg]

No and no. You did slow down, judge you wouldn't be useful, and kept going. You could have stopped by one of the helpers and asked if there was anything needed, but it's obvious there wasn't. Rubber necking isn't useful.

Generally, be careful in situations where there are people about, and make sure no help is needed. Sometimes people assume that other passersby will help, and go on. I've stopped for a motorcyclist who came off on a dual carriage way - all the other drivers kept going. And I watch a rider fall like a tree in Richmond Park - as it turned out, a clipless moment - but none of the other passing cyclists helped. In both cases, nothing was needed, but though there were plenty of witnesses, no one stopped.

This weekend, a riding buddy took a tumble, and it was heartening to see all the people who stepped up to help. Similarly, when I broke my collarbone, the three nearest people looked after me.

For practice, I almost always ask if a rider at the roadside is ok. Must have done this hundreds of times, and only had to help - lend a pump - once.

 

[Drago]

You made a sensible judgment based on your knowledge of your own skills, the activity of those already in attendance, and the apparent situation. Seems cool to me.

 

[Booyaa]

You did the right thing.

Like the comment above I had a bit of a problem at the weekend and was heartened that a passing cyclist asked if I needed any help but he kept on his way when I said I was fine. Lovely thing to do but if someone is already receiving help no need to stop.

 

[ufkacbln]

There is a stretch of the A27 between Fareham and Cosham.

This is THE place to have an accident... it is on the commuting rute to teh Queen Alexandra Hospital



Last one I came across was a motorcyclist who had been clipped by a car and knocked off

Within a few minutes:

2 A&E consultants, an Neurologist, and Orthopaedic Consultant, 5 or 6 Nurses and myself


... I'll direct the traffic then!

 

[classic33]

There is a stretch of the A27 between Fareham and Cosham.

This is THE place to have an accident... it is on the commuting rute to teh Queen Alexandra Hospital



Last one I came across was a motorcyclist who had been clipped by a car and knocked off

Within a few minutes:

2 A&E consultants, an Neurologist, and Orthopaedic Consultant, 5 or 6 Nurses and myself


... I'll direct the traffic then!

Dangerous that last piece.

 

[ufkacbln]

More seriously, always stop

Even if you have no knowledge then phoning for help, holding the persons hand and talking to them is incredibly important

 

[martint235]

More seriously, always stop

Even if you have no knowledge then phoning for help, holding the persons hand and talking to them is incredibly important

Other people were doing that though. I'd never leave someone who was on their own.

 

[Winnershsaint]

A few weeks ago on a ride I regularly do near White Waltham in Berkshire there was a cyclist down in the verge. It was unclear what had happened. Whether he'd had an accident or had some underlying condition. Fortunately he was being attended to by what I assumed was a doctor, given the blue flashing lights on the 4x4 parked in the road, and a local man. It seemed to polite to slow down and ask after his well-being even though he was clearly in a bad way and was having fits of some sorts. I asked if there was anything I could do and was told that an ambulance was on the way so I rode on. Given the circumstances it seemed somewhat intrusive to stay at the scene. I hadn't witnessed what had happened, he was being attended to and being taken to hospital. Nevertheless, just leaving a fellow cyclist in a such a bad way even though I could add nothing to the situation made me feel quite uncomfortable. Certainly had I come across him on his own I would have stopped and tried to do what I could.

 

[hatler]

Perhaps one thing you could have added in that situation was to offer to look after the bike.

 

[Winnershsaint]

Perhaps one thing you could have added in that situation was to offer to look after the bike.

From memory it was on the verge with no noticeable damage. It was quite an odd incident all told.