By Shelly Makrugin, Communications at Canadian Red Cross
Photos Courtesy of Collin Heap and Kevin Paes
Kendall Watson is a motorcyclist and first aid instructor with the Canadian Red Cross. Her dad was involved in a serious motorcycle crash years ago and she witnessed his long recovery. This personal experience, combined with her long-time interest in providing first aid training led Kendall to contribute to the development of the first aid module of the Biker Down program.
“I do have this kind of niche interest of first aid, motorcycle interests and then that personal experience of, you know, having seen the aftereffects of such a severe motorcycle incident for my dad,” explains Kendall. “Biker Down is trying to support motorcyclists, empower them along with the Canadian Red Cross to make sure that people can help other people.”
Motorcycling remains very popular for nearly one million Canadians, both as a passion and as a mode of transportation. Biker Down offers people the ability to learn essential motorcycle safety and first aid skills they can use if they are involved in or witness a traffic collision.
Biker Down was first established in the United Kingdom in 2011, before motorcyclist Steve Reed introduced the program to North America in 2023. He says more than 30 per cent of biker data in the U.K. reported using the training at a motorcycle incident scene.
“We realized that there is a direct correlation between the training and being able to make a difference in the real world,” says Steve Reed, president of Biker Down North America. “When I was 16, I was involved in a motorcycle accident. I slipped my bike under a car, broke my wrist and went into a bit of a shock and it sure would have been nice to have someone nearby or maybe a fellow rider who could have assisted.”
The Biker Down program contains three training modules, one of which is first aid training developed by the Canadian Red Cross.
“What's really specific about the Biker Down content is we've added a piece about safe helmet removal and care for a motorcyclist that might not be in a position that we can initially assess,” explains Kendall.
“We know everybody has a phone. If there is an incident and they forget how to do something or just want to look at the first aid information, they have access to the information. The nice thing about the First Aid App is that if it is open during an emergency, you can call 911 from within the Red Cross First Aid App.”
Completion of the Biker Down certificate is free and consists of three key training modules, all taught within a session that lasts three to four hours.
To find more information on the training and how to register, visit the Biker Down website. Download the Canadian Red Cross First Aid App to conveniently access the Biker Down first aid information from your smartphone or tablet.
Photos Courtesy of Collin Heap and Kevin Paes
Kendall Watson is a motorcyclist and first aid instructor with the Canadian Red Cross. Her dad was involved in a serious motorcycle crash years ago and she witnessed his long recovery. This personal experience, combined with her long-time interest in providing first aid training led Kendall to contribute to the development of the first aid module of the Biker Down program.
“I do have this kind of niche interest of first aid, motorcycle interests and then that personal experience of, you know, having seen the aftereffects of such a severe motorcycle incident for my dad,” explains Kendall. “Biker Down is trying to support motorcyclists, empower them along with the Canadian Red Cross to make sure that people can help other people.”
Motorcycling remains very popular for nearly one million Canadians, both as a passion and as a mode of transportation. Biker Down offers people the ability to learn essential motorcycle safety and first aid skills they can use if they are involved in or witness a traffic collision.
Using Biker Down Training to Help Save Lives
Biker Down was first established in the United Kingdom in 2011, before motorcyclist Steve Reed introduced the program to North America in 2023. He says more than 30 per cent of biker data in the U.K. reported using the training at a motorcycle incident scene. “We realized that there is a direct correlation between the training and being able to make a difference in the real world,” says Steve Reed, president of Biker Down North America. “When I was 16, I was involved in a motorcycle accident. I slipped my bike under a car, broke my wrist and went into a bit of a shock and it sure would have been nice to have someone nearby or maybe a fellow rider who could have assisted.”
The Biker Down program contains three training modules, one of which is first aid training developed by the Canadian Red Cross.
“What's really specific about the Biker Down content is we've added a piece about safe helmet removal and care for a motorcyclist that might not be in a position that we can initially assess,” explains Kendall.
Biker Down First Aid Information Available on Red Cross First Aid App
Kevin Paes, senior manager of Prevention and Safety with the Canadian Red Cross says the Biker Down first aid information will be available on the Canadian Red Cross First Aid App.“We know everybody has a phone. If there is an incident and they forget how to do something or just want to look at the first aid information, they have access to the information. The nice thing about the First Aid App is that if it is open during an emergency, you can call 911 from within the Red Cross First Aid App.”
Completion of the Biker Down certificate is free and consists of three key training modules, all taught within a session that lasts three to four hours.
To find more information on the training and how to register, visit the Biker Down website. Download the Canadian Red Cross First Aid App to conveniently access the Biker Down first aid information from your smartphone or tablet.
A Message from Steve Reed, President, Biker Down North America
“Every day is a day to think safety. And certainly, bringing Biker Down to Canadians in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross is going to make a meaningful and direct impact this summer to save lives. We hope to get the fatality rate down in Canada by over 30 per cent.” - Steve Reed, President, Biker Down North America
