310th SW Reservist cares for fallen rider with Self Aid and Buddy Care

Tracy and 7th Space Operations Squadron Master Sgt. Karen Rouse, stand bytheir motorcycles before the Annual Pikes Peak Fallen Officers Memorial ride. Later that day, Master Sgt. Rouse's quick reaction to an accident by a fellow rider prevented further injury to the severely injured rider. Due to her training she was able to treat, stabilize and help prepare the accident victim for emergency evacuation. (Photo courtesy of Master Sgt. Karen Rouse)

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310th SW Reservist cares for fallen rider with Self Aid and Buddy Care

Published July 22, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Jeff Fitzmorris
310th Space Wing Public Affairs

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- On the morning of June 12, Master Sgt. Karen Rouse and her husband Tracy decided to take part in a Poker Run Ride supporting the Annual Pikes Peak Fallen Officers Memorial ride beginning in Colorado Springs, Colo.

She had no idea that what lay on the road ahead of her would test her memory and Self Aid and Buddy Care training.

Rouse, 7 SOPS commander's support staff and the additional-duty first sergeant, was riding her Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 with the Blue Knights international law enforcement motorcycle club from Castle Rock, Colo., to Palmer Lake, Colo., with about 50 other riders, when she saw an eerie sight for a motorcyclist.

One of the guest riders in their group took a sharp S-shaped turn too fast and slid off a steep embankment into gravel, landing on rocks with momentum taking his bike further down the hill.

"I saw dirt flying high up into the air and him on his bike go down into the ditch, and his bike kept going down the hill," said Rouse.

Rouse said she approached the scene safely and slowly around the corner on her bike and noticed the blood on the rider's head as she came to a stop. The rider, who was standing, had the wind knocked out of him, among other more serious injuries. Rouse employed her years of Self Aid and Buddy Care training to take control of the scene.

Rouse laid the victim down, stopped the bleeding from his head with her bandana and treated a protruding bone from his thumb. The victim complained of head pain, back pain, thumb pain, and massive road rash. He was not wearing a helmet, jacket or any personal protective equipment, except goggles.

Rouse's fellow riders wanted to give the victim water, but Rouse knew from her training that was not a good idea. She maintained his calm state while waiting for the emergency medical services, by helping to avoid shock, bleeding and any further injury to him by limiting his movement and fluids.

Due to her knowledge and quick thinking, she was able to control the situation and make sure the individual was able to be recovered by paramedics without further injury, but Rouse said the his injuries could have been prevented.

"He should have slowed way down around the sharp corners, and wore his protective gear," said Rouse, who added that every year she has SABC, but always hopes she will never have to use it, but if she does, she knows she will remember it now. "It was so strange how instantly, everything came together, and all my training kicked in."

Rouse said she was grateful that her years of SABC contributed to her split-second reaction and that a fellow cyclist was so impressed with her actions, he believed she was a nurse.

Later that day she replayed the incident in her mind and continually wished the victim would have been safer around the corners and had been wearing his PPE.

"Luckily the accident wasn't fatal, but without the correct precautions before each ride the next incident could be much worse," said Rouse. "Always wear you PPE, take the motorcycle safety course, and pay attention to (SABC), it could save your life."