MEDICAL EMERGENCIES ON GOBA
Requests for Medical Treatment, and Accidents or Illnesses Requiring Medical Attention are normally the most important Radio Traffic on GOBA. Bicyclists on GOBA are accustomed to seeing amateur radio volunteers on GOBA. Most know to report an accident or other medical emergency to the nearest radio operator. Amateur radio operators who receive such a report, or who observe an ill or injured rider should contact net control to request a response from the GOBA medical crew. A good location report is essential. However, amateur radio operators working on GOBA should not normally leave their assigned location unless advised to do so by the net control station. In reporting a medical emergency, amateur radio operators should use whatever operating procedures are established by the net control operator for reporting a medical emergency. In case of doubt, your call sign and the word “medical” will usually alert the net control station that you have a medical emergency to report.
Information Needed: When reporting a “Medical” please do not just report “rider down” when calling for support. Many riders who “go down” will often shake it off and return to their ride so it helps to know the rider is truly in need of medical care. The responding crews need to have as much information about the emergency as possible. This helps them run through treatment protocols for that type of emergency on their way to the scene and to know what equipment will be immediately needed upon their arrival. In addition to supplying an exact location and rider number, is the rider IMPORTANT: To comply with new privacy laws, the rider’s name can be obtained, but DO NOT TRANSMIT it over the air. Give the rider number only. Responding ambulance crews and key GOBA staff have rider lists that can be used to find the name for contacting family members, receiving hospital, etc. Amateur radio operators will learn of GOBA riders needing medical attention in several ways:
REMEMBER: Most Amateur Radio Operators who are not trained medical professionals should not attempt to evaluate the medical condition of an ill or injured rider. Instead, they should report available information about the rider to Net Control and attempt to respond to any questions posed by the EMTs in the squad while they are traveling to the location of the rider requiring attention. In reporting a medical situation on GOBA hams should call net control and indicate that they are reporting a situation requiring medical attention: E.g., “W8HI MEDICAL”.
Original content by Jeff Ferriell, K8ZDA.
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