[NCNCA] medical support

Mon Sep 3 23:20:07 PDT 2007

>From the perspective of both an official and a racer....? I'm wondering what happens after the first crash and the ambulance transports the injured person and the next crash occurs--what then?? How many ambulances is enough?? 

>From the perspective of a race promoter....? The budget needs to be balanced.? As a racer are you willing to have higher race entries and lower (or no) price list in order to pay for this additional expense?

We have to be realistic.? Ben brings up a valid concern; however, if you are concerned about not receiving adequate medical care in the event of a mishap, it is your choice whether or not to participate.? (Bike racing is a dangerous sport.)

I like Chris' idea of publishing the planned medical?facilities/personnel in the race flyer.? This should be easy to accomplish since as part of the race permit process, the Chief Ref approves the?Competitive Event?Check?List?of which the?Event Medical Plan and?Checklist form is part of.? Once the Event Permit is granted the Chief Ref also approves the Race Flyer.? It would then be up the individual racer if he feels safe to participate in the event.

Trish Bell

-----Original Message-----
From: cblackride at aol.com
To: zronn at sbcglobal.net; salsamanben at yahoo.com; ncnca at ncnca.org
Sent: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 10:28 pm
Subject: Re: [NCNCA] medical support

 I wonder if Ben pays an ambulance to follow him around on training rides? :-)

Seriously, I think this will prove to be cost prohibitive. Most races have an 
EMT somewhere (any race where I am the chief ref does)? Ambulance response 
should be no worse than if one were involved in a crash on a training ride or an 
automobile accident, regardless of the location. Maybe an announcement on the 
line by the chief ref where medical is. And what is available? Also published in 
the race announcement? That way riders can chose not to attend events that they 
believe to have inadequate medical support.

In my short time racing, I have been involved in several crashes. Four broken 
collarbones. Head injuries. Lots of road rash. I have never allowed the on site 
ambulance personnel to touch me. I don't want to pay for it (even though I have 
good medical insurance). I have never been transported from a race to the 
hospital by ambulance; always private vehicle, and only when necessary. The 
ambulance people will strap you to a backboard and transport you if you slip and 
fall on the start line. They have to in order to protect themselves from 
lawsuits (I also have a little bit of experience dealing with these guys too). I 
have raced all over the country (and outside the country) and have seen medical 
support range from an ambulance with a safety crew and a doctor to nothing at 
all (I suppose someone had a cell phone).

I don't think having an ambulance sitting at the start line of Copperopolis will 
reduce the response time if someone crashed on the back side of the course. 
Perhaps someone could put together a medical response unit like they have a 
Superweek? I have no idea what Jeff charges for that service, but it has to be 
more affordable than paying a fully staffed ambulance. 

A bigger problem is all of the road races we do where there is no support; no 
medical, no mechanical. and no referee. This happens a lot in NCNCA. We are out 
there racing alone, with no one to report the crash until we pass someone. Even 
then are we too busy (selfish) to stop and report it? 

No answers here, just a bunch to think about.

?Chris Black
Morgan Stanley Racing Team
San Luis Obispo, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Castia <zronn at sbcglobal.net>
To: Ben Stern <salsamanben at yahoo.com>; ncnca at ncnca.org
Sent: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 7:46 pm
Subject: Re: [NCNCA] medical support

Hi Ben,
This is a good topic and worthy of attention.
I think a bit of research and data on feasibility would help your cause.

Can you put together a report showing what you are proposing and the costs?
Perhaps even a list of service providers with costs for different events, road 
races, and criteriums (all day staffing).

Ron

----- Original Message ----
From: Ben Stern <salsamanben at yahoo.com>
To: ncnca at ncnca.org
Sent: Monday, September 3, 2007 7:28:27 PM
Subject: [NCNCA] medical support

Folks, I think it is very necessary for NCNCA to review its position/stance/regulations 

as it applies to medical presence at races.

  Simply too much is at stake, namely peoples health and even lives!, to have 
such weak medical care presence.

  As a racer who has just completed my first season here, (raced previously in 
TX, WI, OR, IL, LA)  I was amazed that the largest region in UCSF has such a 
relaxed plan for medical attention.  

  As most of our races occur in the middle of nowhere, it seems imperitive to 
have ON-SITE medical personnel.

  I had the misfortune to crash at four events this year.  In my estimation, 
none of them had adequate medical support.  Most states require on site 
Ambulances for races, this is a good idea!  

  Screw the cost (I am sure you are thinking about it), it pails in comparison 
to the potentially serious/fatal costs that can accompany a poorly handled 
injury. 

  Lets fix this before someone is paralyzed or dies, due to lack of experienced 
medical personnel.  For next season's RD's it should be mandatory to provide 
suitable medical care; namely an ambulance/doctor on site.

  A few teams are sponsored by healthcare providers, lets offer them a NCNCA 
sponsorship to provide race day support.

  Can I come to a meeting of the board and further this discussion.  I have no 
intentions of putting this to rest until something is done.  I am on a mission!  

I hope you all will join me.

  Sincerely, and for the good of the sport!
  Ben Stern,  Roaring Mouse Cycles  

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