Bike Medics Roll In This Summer
The Fountain Pen, May 31, 2017
Guelph, Ont., May 31, 2017: The Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service (GWPS) has launched a bike medic program to provide quick response at community events.
Earlier this month, 10 paramedics completed medic cyclist training that certifies them with the International Police Mountain Bike Association. The EMS Cyclist certification means that the paramedics are now trained to navigate through crowds and obstacles on a bicycle to provide medical care to patients.
Joe Draper, paramedic field superintendent with the GWPS, says the bike medics will be used seasonally at community and special events, including Canada Day, Ribfest, and the University of Guelph homecoming weekend.
"It's about responding to a medical emergency as quickly as possible, and nothing moves more swiftly through a crowd than a bike. Our bike medics will be able to get to patients faster through congested areas and are equipped to provide advanced medical care until an ambulance arrives on scene."
The medical equipment carried on the bike consists of an airway kit, oxygen, suction, glucometry, a symptom relief kit with medications, first aid kit, and an automatic external defibrillator (AED).
Other Ontario communities with a bike medic program include: Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara Region, and Windsor/Essex County.