Why this page exists
My dad went down on a ride and dislocated his shoulder. I froze. I had no idea what to do, whether to move him, whether to call 911, whether to try to help or just stand there. That feeling of being completely helpless while someone you care about is hurt on a trail is something I never want anyone to feel.
Then I broke my wrist on a ride. Then I watched friends go down and break theirs. MTB is a sport where injuries happen. The question is whether you are ready when they do.
I consulted with a local firefighter while building this page. Due to liability concerns he could not appear on camera, but his input shaped what you see here. His message: most riders have no idea what to do in a trail emergency, and the gap between knowing and not knowing can make a real difference.
The three injuries I have seen most on trails
Dislocated Shoulder
Do not try to pop it back in. Keep the rider still and supported. Call for help and keep them calm. Movement makes it worse.
Broken Wrist
Immobilize it. Do not flex or rotate. A jacket or spare clothing makes a decent splint in a pinch. Get off the trail safely.
Head Impact
Do not move them if they hit their head hard. Check for responsiveness. If unconscious or confused, call 911 immediately. No exceptions.
Learn from the people who actually know
I am a high school student who has been on a lot of trails and seen a lot of things go wrong. I am not a medical professional. These four organizations are. Take a course. Read their material. Knowing this stuff before you need it is the whole point.
Wilderness Medical Society
The gold standard for wilderness medicine education. If you ride in remote areas, their courses are worth every minute.
NOLS Wilderness Medicine
NOLS trains people to handle emergencies in the backcountry. Their Wilderness First Responder course is what serious outdoor people take.
Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid
A practical, accessible starting point. If you have never taken any first aid training, start here.
Stop the Bleed
A national initiative teaching anyone to stop life-threatening bleeding. Short, practical, and potentially the most important thing you learn this year.
Get CPR certified
One more thing. Get CPR certified. It takes a few hours, costs almost nothing, and is the single most useful thing you can learn before you ever need it on a trail. Most areas have classes every weekend. There is no good reason not to do it.
Find a CPR class near you →