First Responder Education

Navy Corpsman School.

Start with basic first aid through the Red Cross, a local community college, sometimes even a chamber of commerce. Community colleges often offer other classes such as first responder ( a step above basic), wilderness first aid, EMT classes, etc.

At my local community college, i’m currently taking a hybrid first aid and cpr class only because it’s a good skill to have, but i hope i never have to use it.

I always stop and try to give people mouth to mouth.  Most of the time they seem offended, but the KTM guys seem to appreciate it.

Around here, the local fire department offers free CPR training.


All of my medical training came from time in the military.  @FastEddy your guys ran some classes for Marines like me along the way...

That's pretty far in the rearview mirror and I had been having thoughts about going through the CPR and some other training to refresh some things...  @DF313, like you it was on my mind after two significant incidents helping other riders with serious broken bones at local tracks.

Near the end of 2023 I was at the track with friends and chatting with a gal who is trained as a paramedic about this topic.
About an hour later, we were doing CPR on one of my closest friends who tipped over in the slowest corner due to what we found out later was a heart attack.  Unfortunately CPR and the AED didn't save his life.

Losing a close friend had a few of us down at the local fire department refreshing our CPR training as soon as we could get in there.  
I was fine with the military's trauma training, CPR, etc. but taking that course brought my confidence level back by being up to date.

At a minimum, get CPR training.

Beyond that, the places other people have mentioned (local community college, etc) where you can learn some things about basic life saving / trauma care are a great idea.

I have all my education through the Army, AHA CPR/AED at work (mandatory), and I took EMT/Paramedic classes in college. 

I would look at the local community colleges. 

I’d also recommend an EMT course at a community/technical college.

6am here and youve won the internet today hands down 😁

As a KTM guy I can neither confirm nor deny this statement…

CPR through Red Cross or American Heart Association is a great start. As mentioned, basic first aid classes are also a plus. 

Unconscious riders should be treated as though they have spinal injuries and moved as little as possible as long as they’re breathing and do not have significant bleeding from some injury. Let the on-duty EMS providers take the liability of moving them. 

Most states have some version of a Good Samaritan law that basically states as long as you are trying to help someone and are not acting outside of your scope of practice/training you are not able to be held liable for peoples injuries. IE, said unconscious rider was not breathing and had a spinal injury of some sort, bystander rolled pt to their back, removed helmet and performed CPR of some sort, pt lives but ends up with spinal deficits. The people involved in rolling pt and performing CPR should not be able to be held liable for those spinal injuries. That’s not to say there won’t be investigations and a ton of legal proceedings but usually not liable. Every state that has that law has variations so pay attention to the individual law in your area. 

Protect the rider. If there are enough people around, send a couple people to flag at the previous corner/jump/blind spot, send someone to notify the track folks, have someone call 911 if there aren’t medics at the track, close the track or the section, get rider info from rider or riding buddies if possible. Same basic stuff applies for riding off-road. Shade is great if it can be provided, even if it’s a few people standing to block the sun when it’s hot and the rider is sweaty. Don’t be afraid to give specific directions to people, most folks aren’t used to being the Do-er, they are used to being the watcher but almost all are willing to help when given achievable tasks to perform. 

Edit: Looks like Ogden City Fire and Weber State both offer first aid/cpr classes based on your avatar location