Bikers get chance to learn crash-site skills
Free classes at Callander fire station
Bikers are to learn new life– saving skills so they can help in the event of a road accident.
Firefighters running the Biker Down courses at Callander Fire Station will give those taking part the knowledge to make the scene of a collision safe and protect a casualty.
Bikers on the free three-hour course will also learn first aid appropriate to common types of injury and how to safely remove a helmet.
It also offers the chance to pick up the practical skills needed to help avoid being involved in a crash.
Officers from Scottish Ambulance Service and Police Scotland are also offering their knowledge and skills to prepare motorcyclists should the worst happen on the roads.
Watch manager Gary Wood said: “Biker Down gives an insight to what it’s like at the scene of an incident and what steps can be taken to help prevent them becoming tragedies.
“Learning some basic first person on scene techniques could make all the difference and keep a casualty alive until specialist medical helps gets to them
“The A84, A85 and roads nearby in the Stirling and Clacks area are a popular choice of riding routes for bikers from all over the country so we are pleased to be able to offer this valuable initiative to local motorcyclists.”
Local Senior Officer for Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire Roddie Keith added: “We have a tremendous opportunity here to improve safety for bikers in the Stirling area.
“Our dedicated volunteers and partners are sharing their experience to make sure that bikers know how best to be seen, how to avoid becoming a road victim and how to safely provide life-saving assistance if they are first on the scene of an incident.
“The support of our elected members is invaluable in securing the future of this initiative and is greatly appreciated”
Trossachs and Teith councillor, Evelyn Tweed said: “Courses like Biker Down are vital to help riders and improve their outcome if they are involved in a crash.”
The Callander courses all commence at 10am at Callander Community Fire Station, in Geisher Road, on Sunday, July 29 and Sunday, August 12.
Booking is essential as there are only 25-30 free places available on each course. To book and for further details email e.bikerdownscotland@ firescotland.gov.uk.
Earlier this month the Observer told how a motorcyclist from Dunblane was involved in a horror road smash which almost killed him. James Millar (55) was told he had a one per cent chance of surviving the journey to hospital after the accident on the A85 near Killin.