New CRASH card for London bikers

An exciting initiative to help motorcyclists involved in an accident get the aid they need as quickly as possible is being launched on Monday (20 December).

With support from London Ambulance Service and the Ambulance Motorcycle Club the card - the first of its kind anywhere when first introduced in the UK in 2009.

Motorcycle Response Coordinator Shaun Rock said: “By using the CRASH card, motorcyclists are giving themselves the best chance of getting the help they need as quickly as possible if they are involved in an accident.

“Our staff have the skills and training to begin treating a complex range of injuries straight away, and the information contained on the CRASH card can only lead to better care for patients. We encourage every biker to get one.”

Chairman of the Ambulance Motorcycle Club Ian Burrell said: “This card is borne out of experience - it has been designed by serving paramedics who have been on both sides of an accident as the injured rider or attending as medical help.

“If a biker is injured and unable to talk coherently because of concussion or having been knocked out, how does the ambulance crew find out who the patient is, what medication they take, or medical history? What information does the 999 call centre need?

“The card enjoyed a very successful pilot in Essex last May, and for the past 18 months has gained national and international interest as more and more bikers and public bodies get on board this simple but effective approach to casualty reduction."

Designed to be an aid to both the person making the 999 call and the crew who attend, one side of the card carries the mnemonic CRASH for helpful hints which will assist the 999 call taker if a rider has come off but is not seriously injured, and is using the card as a prompt.

The other side gives riders space to write their name, date of birth and medication, so when an ambulance crew arrives at the scene of an accident they will identify an unconscious or seriously ill rider has a card in their helmet by a small green dot placed at the side of the visor on their helmet.

Only experienced emergency personnel should ever remove a helmet following an accident.

Source: www.londonambulance.nhs.uk