Modern Vespa

We went for a group ride out to the country on Sunday. The weather was beautiful and the ride, for the most part, was really pleasant.

What made it unpleasant, was that my wife had a bee fly into her helmet at about 100kp/h and proceeded to sting her really close to her left eye. Here's how it all unfolded:

I received a panicked gesture to pull over on a country paved road with no shoulder*. The bee was still digging it's way into Kim's cheek when I managed to stop the bike (in about 5 seconds i might add after being notified). I quickly got off the bike and she took off her sunnies to reveal the bee. I yanked the bee off her face with my gloved hands, ripped off my glove and scraped the sting and stinger barb out with my fingernail.

She was in a right state. I managed to get her helmet off and tried to go into the house that the driveway belonged to. It was totally deserted so no go there. So I put the hazard lights on and about 4 minutes later a pack of sportsbike riders pulled over to lend a hand with cold water to cool the sting site. (didn't pack that either for this ride as it was a shorter one). ##

The problem was that no-one in our group (or the group that pulled over) had a first aid kit. It really hammered home the need for someone to carry a comprehensive first aid kit with icepacks and antihistamines at all times on group rides.

So please, when riding in a group, take it upon yourself to be the first aid officer. If we all have this attitude, then there will be multiple people in the riding group with first aid kits which can assist. Or if you see an injured person, or accident, you can actually be of assistance. Also, consider taking a first aid course so you know what to do in an emergency.

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* without the stability of the MP3, I probably would have dropped the bike. The only place I could pull over was on a bit of sloping, grassy bank which had all sorts of debris on it. I managed to guide the MP3 with one wheel on the road and one wheel on the grass to a gravel driveway safely. If I was on two wheels, I think we would have had a bee sting plus two injured riders to deal with and a broken scooter to transport back to civilisation.

## in case you're not aware (because I wasn't) , the hazard lights can still be operated when the ignition key is in the off position. The hazard lights are the only light system that remains active without having the power turned on for your scooter. Good to know.

Thanks for the story, Jaredmorgs. Hope the missus is OK.

I'll get a first aid kit in my bike toot sweet.

Thanks ramblerdan

I've been checking in on her today, and she can see more and more out of her swollen eye. So the toxin is slowly working its way out of the area. She's just keeping the area iced and keeping the antihistamines up.

Two weekends ago I was riding "sweep" in a maxi scooter
group ride ( end of the pack-watching for riders with problems),
when the two riders ahead of me crashed in an easy
sweeping curve. The first rider simply seemed inexperienced,
and went wide and off the shoulder.
The second was trying to miss him and his scooter
which was all over the road, and down he went too.
I had some first aid, but nothing like enough. No bandages
big enough for the bleeding parts, no painkillers, nothing
but some bandaids and cleaning wipes really.
Though there was one broken bone, there were no truly
serious injuries. If there had been I would have felt even
stupider standing there-out of cell phone reach-with my
inadequate first aid kit.
Stock up, things do happen.

What a story! Thank goodness all turned out well for you....and I think the learned lesson here is a good one. I think I will create a small first aid kit for the bike.

I have had a couple of bugs get into my full face visor closed helmet. I discovered it was too big. If it fits snuggly enough, there should be no place that a bee could get into the helmet. You may want to check the fit of the helmet if it is a full face one.

It is great advice. Thanks for the heads up!

We have a scheme here called "FBOS", or "First Biker On Scene". Very good value.

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Who is the course for?
Recommended for anyone who rides a motorcycle, or wishes to administer first aid or manage the initial scene of a road traffic incident. The First Bike on Scene course has been specifically designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to deal with the initial management of a patient involved in a road traffic accident. Bikers are encouraged to give casualties necessary basic life support in the event of an accident whilst waiting for emergency services to arrive.

Minimum Entry Requirements:
16+ years of age.

Certification:
Certificate of Competency. The course is approved and certificate issued by The Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Certificate is valid for two years.

Duration:
One Day.

Class Size:
Student / Instructor ratio of 12:1.

Who delivers it?
Commercial Ambulance Instructor.

Description:
The course instructs the students to:

Understand Trauma and the mechanism of injury.
Understand how to protect the scene and snatch rescue.
Demonstrate Basic Life Support.
Understand the correct procedures for spinal management.
Demonstrate the correct procedure for removing a crash helmet.
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Thank you for post...I'm sorry the advice comes at the expense of your wife...In addition to the antihistamines, consider taking ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief as needed.

I will get a First Aid Kit asap...Thank you ...cheers...jacq

jimc, I think I might try an organise a first aid course for all of the riders of our scooter club. It certainly can't hurt to have us all trained in first aid.

Serendipity0, in this particular instance, the helmet fit wasn't an issue (it was flicking the visor up at the wrong time) but thanks for sharing your story too. It might make us consider another important element to safety, a correctly fitting 'skid lid'.

Jacq, we'll definitely be putting some pain killers and lotions in the kit.

On the Aussie forum I'm a member of, one forum member suggested that WD-40 is a good topical treatment for bee sting: I'll be packing a lotion available in Australia called Paraderm Plus. It is an antiseptic, anesthetic cream. It's also great for sunburn as well.

Another suggestion from the forum was that if you don't have long fingernails, you can use the edge of a credit card to slide the sting out.

BTW, here's a little trick for ya, proven in the pharmacy over and over...Best Bee Sting remedy that you probably have in your scooter already on trips ...Toothpaste. Go for Crest Advanced if you can. The Glycerin in the toothpaste will knock a bee sting down pain level from 10 to about 0 in 15 minutes and its pasty texture makes it easy to put on and keep on.

Training of interest in the Coachella Valley. More info available at the Valley V-Twin home page:

Crash Course for the Motorcyclist - Basic and Advanced - November 8th & 9th
Valley V-Twin and the City of Indio are sponsoring these classes on November 8th and 9th.
In the Basic class, you'll learn how to secure a motorcycle accident scene, assess injuries, properly remove a helmet to provide rescue breathing, move a victim, assist emergency personnel, and protect yourself!
The Advanced class is far more "hands on" than the Basic. It takes what you've learned in the Basic class and takes it to the next level. Learn how to use a backboard and assist responding EMT's. Learn how to safely lift a motorcycle off an injured rider...and lots more. Only people who have taken the Basic class within the last 2 years may take the Advanced class, and space is very limited.
Both classes provide CEU's and a patch...and priceless knowledge.
Information and registration forms are available on our Rides & Events Calendar page... Basic class is limited to 30 participants and the Advanced to 26. Priority placement will be given to those who took the Basic in May. Pre-registration ended on October 15th...fees are now: Basic Course is $55 and Advanced is $60.

Jack

Good stuff, every rider should try to get one of these courses.

And support their local Air Ambulance - the biker's friend!

Responses like these are why I love you people...This forum has top caliber character...Well Done ya'll..Proud of you. Proud to be here..

The camping department at Walmart has a larger, better supplied and cheaper cost than the kit sold in their Pharmacy department...I added a pump bottle of Bactine for insect, cut and abrasion relief, Coricidan HBP Maximum Strength antihistimines (compatible with High Blood Pressure medications and any other medications), Tylenol 500mg and a no clip Ace elastic bandage wrap... to hold the cold pack on or wrap a sprained joint.

The kit is well supplied with large 5x9 and 4x4 gauze pads, water, one cold pack, various pills for pain, indigestion, allergic reactions, and more, ointments, cremes, bandaids, tweezers, scissors, gloves, tape, butterfly tapes for cuts, manual, a whistle (signaling for help and location) Snap glow stick, finger splints and more...It's was a great value for $9.99. Th orange plastic carrying case is about 8x11. Compact for the scoot. I took out the thin plastic liner and got more in the box.

Thanks for the reminder to proactive and not reactive in times of trouble...I'll check into a first aid course...I had one years ago, so I could do with a reminder. Ride safely, ya'll