Kent Fire Bike - Biker Down Course

[HarryHornby]

Hi All,
 
If any of you live in Kent you may be interested in the Biker Down Course run by the Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
 
Details can be found on Facebook if you search for and "like" Kent Fire Bike.  From there you can register your interest in attending a free course.
 
I've not been myself as yet, I'm hoping to go to one they are running in April.  From what I can gather it's a mainly first aid course aimed at bikers and especially group riding.  The course also covers what to do in an accident involving a biker, things to look out for, legal things to take not of, etc etc.  It's run by bikers in the Fire service for bikers.
 
Reading posts on the Kent Fire Bike facebook page the course is well received among those who have attended.
 
At the end of the day it's free to attend and in my eyes all help gratefully received. 

[HarryHornby]

taken from the kent fire bike facebook page:
 
"

Biker Down - Aimed at motorcyclists of all ages and experience, the free scheme offers the chance to learn practical skills to help avoid being involved in a crash, as well as essential first-aid training and advice on what to do should they find themselves first on the scene of a crash where someone is injured. Devised by KFRS’s Fire Bike team and delivered by Fire-fighters alongside KFRS Emerge...ncy Life Support Instructors and Survival Skills Advanced Motorcycle Trainers, the aim is to help reduce biker injuries and fatalities. The scheme is delivered, free of charge, to participants at local fire stations in small informal groups. The course is made up of three modules, including accident scene management, motorcycle specific first-aid training i.e. CPR, managing major bleeds and helmet removal and classroom-based tuition on group riding techniques. Participants receive a certificate of attendance, a biker safety pack and first-aid kit designed to be carried under the seat of their bike.

"

[Grahamm]

I've been to a couple of these sort of talks at the Ride It Right events at Hasleme Fire Station and I can recommend them to every biker.

You might think you'd know what to do, but in a stress situation, can you remember it? Go on one of these courses and you'll have a much better chance of being able to help if (gods forbid) it's needed.

[Fazerjon]

Sounds good and useful, my dad has a few contacts in Kent fire Brigade. I will look into it 

[HarryHornby]

I attended the biker down course at Medway Fire Station on Friday and I can honestly say, what a brilliant, informative evening, I can't recommend it enough to all bikers out there.
 
The evening is briken down into 3 sections
 
1)  what to do in the event you come across an accident involving a motorcycle, taking control of the situation, personal safety, information the emergency services will need, what to do and what not to do.  This was run by the Biker Down team who are all serving firefighters and bikers.
 
2)  First aid, focusing heavily on helmet removal.  this was great, it was run by fireservice personel and track medics one of whom has apparently removed over 3000 helmets from injured riders/drivers on the track so they know what they are talking about.
 
3) A talk about hi vis and being seen, WOW a real eyeopener!  I won't look at high vis in the same way, and will almost certainly be laughing at the legislation that's come into force in France.  Don't get me wrong, it has it's place and can be useful, but isn't the saviour of biking safety.
 
So, if you live in Kent, get on facebook and like Kent Fire Bike and sign up for the next course. 

[dolau]

Fire brigade around here ignored me when I emailed them 

I am trying our road safety officer now to set up a course