I had the unfortunate opportunity to use one of the three first aid kits I carry in the tool box of my truck today. I took my kids out trail riding today. As we decended a steep incline I heard my 9 yr old say something, but it wasn't clear so I slowed for him to catch up. As I did, he was accellerating to catch up and slammed off the back of my quad and did a launch over the bars at about 20 mph. His helmet saved him as he did a major face plant into rocks but his left arm didn't do so well. Broken just below the elbow, I pulled out a space blanket to cover him, stabilized him, left his older brother and little brother to stay with him with a GRMS radio, and I went back to the truck for the Big Kit. I splinted his arm, and put it in a sling and strapped it to his body for stability, gave him some childrens Tylenol , Strapped his bike to the front rack of the quad, loaded his little butt up and took him back to the truck and to the Hosp.

We were about 75 miles from civilization and only 5 miles from the truck. He knew Dad had his back and was in good spirits most of the time, including eating a ham and cheese sandwich and granola bar on the way back to civilization.

I'm glad I carry, or should I say over carry first -aid gear no matter where I go.

Glad to hear he's OK.

Two lessons in one exam- the value of helmets, and the value of first aid kits. I hope it was just a refresher for all of us.

When my young ones see anyone without a helmet, bike, scooter, moped, motorcycle, they've gotten in the habit of saying, "He needs a helmet" or "She's not making a good choice".

This post is also a reminder that I need to upgrade my FAKs to more than a "cuts and scrapes" kit.

I've been riding since I was 9. Nobody in my family rides without a Helmet, for no reason, period. My son hit hard. Had he not been wearing a helmet he probably would not be here this evening. He landed face first (in rocks!!) and flipped over while the bike went over the top of him. Anyone that loves their kids will insist on them wearing a helmet and will wear one themselves.

There are two things I don't understand, specifically relating to bike helmets: one, parents that make their kids wear helmets, and they don't and two, people that wear helmets, but have them pushed so far back on their foreheads that they look like a cowboy taking it easy at the saloon. Wearing a helmet that way...well you may as well not wear one for the lack of protection that "cool" way of helmet wearing gets you. As a parent, teacher and martial arts assistant instructor I try to lead by example. How can we expect the children in our lives to "do as we say, not as we do"?

Good job! And great memories. You and he will talk about that trip many times over the years. If you look into his eyes real close while he's looking at you, you'll probably see in real small print the word "MY" in the left eye and "HERO" in the right!

Helmets are the rule in my family as well. Helmet on the bike. Helmet on the scooter. Helmet on the horse. (I used mine on the horse - now I'm looking for a helmet for the ribs!)

Congratulations on the narrow escape. Your foresight with the helmets, the FAK and the knowledge of what to do turned a disaster into an unfortunate mishap!

Amen on the helmet. Aside from myself only one other of my hunting buddies wears one when we are all riding ATV's. I resist the urge to nag and when the subject comes up, usually just point out how much warmer I am during those long, October pre-dawn rides. I hope to convert a couple more. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />