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Fort Worth, Texas -- Rider Alert, the motorcycle safety program makes it’s Texas debut as thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts head to Ft. Worth the weekend of May 4th through 6th for the Texas State Harley Owner’s Group rally at the Fort Worth Stockyards. The Rider Alert program provides free identification data cards that will help first responders provide rapid and accurate medical assistance to riders involved in accidents.
“Many motorcycle crash victims are unconscious when responders arrive making it very difficult for EMS personnel to know the patient’s medical history or emergency contacts” explains John Elder, MedStar’s Clinical Director. “Another major concern for crash victims are untrained Good Samaritans attempting to remove the rider’s helmet, which can cause further injury.”
The Rider Alert card (www.RiderAlert.org) is placed inside a rider’s helmets and contains vital, life-saving information, emergency contact, and any important medical history. When first responders arrive on the scene of a motorcycle accident, a one-inch, sticker on the outside of the helmet will indicate that the biker has the Rider Alert Card. The sticker also warns untrained responders not to remove the helmet, which could prevent further injury.
Matt Zavadsky of MedStar explains that this card is born out of experience; it has been designed by paramedics who have been on both sides of an accident as the injured rider or as medical help. “As an EMS provider and a motorcycle rider, I’ll be the 1st person to have the Rider Alert card and sticker on my helmet. Accessing this basic information after an ‘unscheduled dismount’ can sometimes be impossible. This small tool could mean the difference between life and death.”
The card is free and can be obtained at any Fort Worth Fire Station, MedStar’s headquarters and at most motorcycle dealerships throughout Fort Worth.
