Accident Scene Management – AUSTRALIA!!!!
Early this May I found myself in the bush chasing mobs of kangaroo in a white station wagon that my friend Oz called his “tractor”. What led up to this experience you ask?
One year ago, Australian Motorcyclist Phil Lemin was in the USA for 6 weeks on vacation. He stumbled upon a popular American Rally at Lake George, NY called Americade. He stopped in his tracks when he walked past a stage where Accident Scene Management, Inc. instructors Gail and David Riley were doing a presentation on ASMI. As a Paramedic the topic was of interest to him and the more he listened the more he realized that ASMI was needed in Australia as well! Phil returned to the states in October to complete instructor training. He returned to Australia and worked on making connections and setting up a nonprofit. ASMI materials needed to be converted with pictures of people riding on the wrong side of the road substituted, etc.
Finally the time came that my friend and ASMI instructor Cat Hammes and I were flown to Melbourne to officially kick off ASMA. We taught additional instructors and spoke with press as well as others who are key to moving the program forward. They were so excited to know that there is a program out there that has been successful and is motorcycle trauma specific! Currently there are many people in Australia taking a CPR/1st Aid class with helmet removal called “Motorcycle Trauma First Aid”. It is taught by non-motorcyclists. They were like sponges soaking up the information and were excited to know that this training could make such a difference in Australia’s motorcycle safety efforts geared toward reducing injuries and fatalities. The Australian Govt has approved funds to examine helmet removal techniques so Phil is now working with them using what we have learned so far here in the states about one person removal.
So people keep asking “what is it like in Australia”? Well the best word I have for it is “charming”! It’s a lot like the USA with these exceptions:
Everything is opposite: seasons, time, north is our south, etc…..
They drive on the wrong side of the road which leads to a feeling that you are doing something terribly wrong (I loved it)!
They eat some funny things like Fairy Floss and Vegemite
They speak English but say funny things like “No Drama” (AKA No problem), You must be Buggered (Tired), He was Crook (Ill),
Not only can Aborignies play a Digery Do but I met one man who could make Digery Do Rap music!
So what was my favorite thing? The people of course! While we were fortunate to be given motorcycles to ride by Harley Davidson we didn’t get a lot of time to ride them. We did, however, connect with a number of the people who rode motorcycles and a number of them were women. Women who found themselves empowered by riding! With only 3% of women riding in Australia it took me back in time to 24 years ago when I got my first bike. Women are just starting to feel like the movement to ride is picking up. The first night we were there we heard about a Women’s Ride and we joined the group which included a guy dressed in pink. The following weekend we coordinated a very cold and wet ride for “Harley’s Women around the Globe”. Brett Lemin arranged a route that took us on some beautiful twisty roads to St. Andrews Pub. Many of the people we met that first night and at classes we taught came along and we have been communicating via Facebook since!
People have also asked if I’d go back and my answer is a resounding YES!!!! Now that I have experience I’d try to go when the weather is nicer and now that I have Australian friends I’d insist on another group ride. They know too that we will reciprocate as hosts for them if they come to the states. Friends around the world, ASMI training and a new riding experience – what could be better?
One year ago, Australian Motorcyclist Phil Lemin was in the USA for 6 weeks on vacation. He stumbled upon a popular American Rally at Lake George, NY called Americade. He stopped in his tracks when he walked past a stage where Accident Scene Management, Inc. instructors Gail and David Riley were doing a presentation on ASMI. As a Paramedic the topic was of interest to him and the more he listened the more he realized that ASMI was needed in Australia as well! Phil returned to the states in October to complete instructor training. He returned to Australia and worked on making connections and setting up a nonprofit. ASMI materials needed to be converted with pictures of people riding on the wrong side of the road substituted, etc.
it was a pleasure to have Vicki and Cat in Oz,
ReplyDeletethe shrieks of fear in the car driving from the airport was a gigggle, being on the correct side of the road.
Vicki and Cat did a great job of promoting the cause and made many new friends.
Motorcycling is a common language,
We are lucky to of come across the programme you guys have had for so long.