common cycling accidents and how to deal with them

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Cycling is a fun activity, especially when done outdoors. However, we should take some preventive measures or learn how to handle emergencies to avoid problems while cycling in the wild. Today, Cycling Knight will share some common unexpected situations during outdoor cycling.

However, Cycling Knight would like to remind everyone that the preventive and handling methods shared in this article are mainly for self-rescue in emergency situations. After self-rescue, you should promptly report to your teammates and a doctor. If the injury is severe, do not massage, move, or take painkillers on your own to avoid worsening the condition and affecting the examination results.

Sunburn

 

Cause: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and direct sunlight causing skin lesions.

Symptoms: Skin turns red, becomes painful, or develops small bumps and blisters.

Treatment:

1. Apply a cold water towel to the affected area until the pain subsides.

2. Apply sunscreen oil if there are no external wounds on the skin.

3. If blisters appear, do not pop them; use a cold water towel to cool the area.

Prevention:

1. Avoid strong sunlight as much as possible.

2. Apply sunscreen oil half an hour before sun exposure.

Heatstroke

Cause: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and direct sunlight, causing the body's temperature regulation mechanism to malfunction, leading to difficulty sweating. When the external temperature is too high, the body cannot dissipate heat, causing a rapid rise in body temperature. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause severe congestion in the meninges, affecting the central nervous system and losing temperature regulation.

Symptoms: Feeling hot and uncomfortable, elevated body temperature (often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius). Skin is flushed but dry without sweat, followed by confusion, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, lowered blood pressure, rapid and weak pulse, and eventually coma.

Treatment:

1. Quickly move to a cool and ventilated place and lower the head.

2. Remove the load, loosen clothing, and pour cold water over the body.

3. Replenish water with sugar and salt (orally if conscious, intravenously if unconscious).

4. Physical treatment: Wipe the philtrum and temples with alcohol cotton.

5. Medication: Take Ren Dan, Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, or Yidi Water.

Prevention:

1. Apply essential balm or cooling oil to the temples.

2. Replenish enough water in a timely manner.

3. Wear breathable clothing.

 

Leg cramps

 

Cause: Pain caused by calcium deficiency, fatigue, and oxygen deficiency in muscle cells.

Treatment: Sit down with your legs straight, repeatedly pull the big toe backward with your hand, and massage the calf muscles.

Prevention:

1. Timely calcium supplementation.

2. Avoid getting cold.

3. Take breaks.

Blisters

Cause: Fluid exudation caused by friction, pressure, burns, or frostbite.

Treatment:

1. Clean the blister (unbroken) with soap.

2. Sterilize a needle with fire, then puncture the blister.

3. Gently squeeze out the fluid with clean gauze and dry it, then apply a bandage.

4. If the blister is already broken, disinfect it before treatment.

 

External injuries (abrasions, punctures)

Initial diagnosis: Observe the area of the abrasion or the depth and amount of bleeding from the puncture.

Abrasions:

1. If the wound area is not large and there is no active bleeding, apply external medication or rinse the area around the wound with clean water.

2. If the wound area is large but there is no active bleeding, clean it and wrap it with clean gauze and a bandage.

3. If there is active bleeding, let the bleeding carry out the dirt from the wound. Then cover the wound with clean gauze and press to stop the bleeding.

Punctures:

1. If the foreign object is small and shallow, remove it, then press the wound to expel blood and dirt. Then treat it as an abrasion.

2. If the foreign object is large and deep, do not remove it or clean the wound to avoid heavy bleeding. Simply bandage it and seek medical attention promptly.

Note:

1. Keep the wound dry and ventilated to avoid infection (tetanus is an anaerobic bacterium, and deeper wounds are more dangerous, so keeping the wound ventilated is crucial).

2. Report large abrasions and punctures promptly to prevent tetanus.

3. Disinfect the wound as soon as possible; if not disinfected within 6 hours, the risk of infection is high.

 

 

Falls

Initial diagnosis:

1. Check for injuries to the head, face, shoulders, back, waist, tailbone, and limbs.

2. If there is severe pain when moving the injured part, lie down and rest without rushing to move.

3. If there is pain when not moving, immobilize the injured area to prevent bone displacement.

Treatment:

1. If a fracture is suspected, do not move and contact medical personnel promptly.

2. If there is swelling and bruising, use cold compresses to relieve pain.

3. Treat other external injuries as described above.

 

Sprains

Cause: Damage caused by excessive joint movement beyond the normal range, resulting in strong pulling of surrounding fascia and muscles.

Symptoms: Joint swelling, severe pain, limited movement, subcutaneous bruising, inability to move or bend.

Treatment:

1. Stop activity (or at least reduce exertion), especially for ankle and knee sprains.

2. Place gauze or a towel on the affected area and apply an ice pack.

3. Use muscle-relaxing and blood-circulating medication, but do not perform massage or manipulation.

4. Elevate the affected area while resting.

 

 

When cycling outdoors, always remember to stay safe. Ride with companions and bring your gear, especially your helmet.