National Mountain Bike Patrol

Training PowerpointVersion 3.0

Revised January 2009

IMBA’s Mission

• The International Mountain Bicycling Association is a non-profit educational association whose mission is to create, enhance and preserve great trail experiences for mountain bikers worldwide.

NMBP Mission

• The NMBP consists of dedicated volunteers partnering with land mangers, land owners and emergency personnel, to assist, educate and inform all trail users in order to enhance their recreational experience.– Assist in medical and mechanical emergencies– Educate trail users of proper etiquette– Inform land managers, owners and trail users of trail

conditions through monitoring efforts

NMBP By the Numbers

• 60 Patrol Units• 500 Individual Patrollers• Created in 1995• www.nmbp.org

Overview

• Description of Duties• Working with Your Land Manager• Trail and Environment Issues• Trailside Bike Repair• First Aid/Emergency Care• Two-Way Radio• NMBP Sponsors

Description of Duties

• Responsibilities

• Qualifications

• Personal Risk Management

• Enforcement is NOT a function of the NMBP

Description of Duties

• Responsibilities – Adhere to patrol schedule– Represent the NMBP and IMBA in a professional

manner– Maintain patrol equipment– Wear patrol uniform– Assist injured, ill or lost trail users– Complete incident reports and/or log sheets– Interact with trail users, emergency staff and land

management agencies– Educate trail users

Description of Duties

• Qualifications– Satisfy established training requirements

• First aid/CPR certification• Communication equipment skills• Interpersonal skills• Interagency relations• Trail/ environmental issues• Orienteering• Riding skills• Trailside bike repair

– Know and follow local policies and procedures

– Know personal limitations

– Maintain your equipment

Description of Duties

• Personal Risk Management– Stay within your limits– Know the difference between personal and patrol

group insurance and health coverage– Dress for weather conditions — be prepared for the

unexpected – Keep your bike and gear in good working condition – Carry extra water and food

Working with Land Management

• Patrol/Land Manager Relationship• Getting Started• Liability and Insurance• Meeting with the Land Manager

Patrol/Land Management Relationship

• A good working relationship with local land managers is the most important component of a successful mountain bike patrol.

Getting Started

• Find out who is responsible for managing the park or trails

• Meet with them to explain the advantages of having a volunteer patrol

• Ask for consent and permission to patrol

Meeting Land Managers

• Benefits of having a patrol– Act as eyes and ears for the land manager

– Report trail conditions

– Provide trail management advice

– Provide assistance to trail users

– Perform trail maintenance

Liability and Insurance

• Protected by the Good Samaritan Act in most states

• Patrol insurance provided by IMBA/NMBP

• Coverage from land management agency

Trail Issues

• Environmental• Social• Rules of the Trail

Environmental Issues

• Trail damage is caused by poor drainage - not mountain bikes.

Social Issues

• Safety

• Respect

IMBA’s Rules of the Trail

• Ride on open trails only

• Leave no trace

• Control your bicycle

• Always yield the trail

• Never scare animals

• Plan ahead

Trailside Bike Repair

• Training• Standard field repairs• Tools and spare parts• Legal issues

Trailside Bike Repair

• Training — Partner with a local bike shop– Flat repair– Chain repair– Derailleur repair– Saddle adjustment– Brake adjustment– Basic spoke and wheel repair

Suggested Tool Kit

• Multi tool

• Chain tool

• Allen wrenches

• Phillips & flat head screwdriver

• Adjustable wrench

• Spoke wrench

• Tire levers

• Pump

• Patch kits

• Tubes

• Duct tape

• Zip ties

• Cables

• Tire boot

• Torx T-25 wrench

Trailside Bike Repair

• Legal Issues– Avoid performing mechanical aid when

possible– Supply the rider with tools and advice– Use common sense– Abide by your land manager’s policies

First Aid/Emergency Care

• Local protocols• First Aid kit contents• Legal issues

First Aid/Emergency Care

• Local Protocols: Uniformity of Care– If your group decides to seek a higher level of

certification, make sure your treatment protocol meets the standards and requirements of local emergency facilities.

First Aid/Emergency Care• Rubber gloves (4 pr) • Cravats (5) • Glucose tablets• Safety pins (10) • Adhesive bandages (12) • Knife (Swiss Army-type)*• Lighter* • Kling (4 rolls) • Small notebook*• Ice pack • 4” x 4” bandages (12) • Incident report sheets*• Bug repellent* • 5” x 9” bandages (2)

• Trauma scissors• Compass*

• Adhesive tape • Pocket mask• Trail maps (10) • Wire (SAM) splint • 1-4 oz. eye wash • Water purification pills • 4-oz. tube antibiotic creme• 4-oz. bottle sunscreen• Antiseptic towlettes • Space blanket • Ace bandage• 6 tongue depressors

• Signal mirror (old CD works great)

Legal Issues

• Most states have “Good Samaritan” laws

• These laws vary from state-to-state.

• Find out what the law is in your state

• Note: Medication, lotions, bug repellents, salves, etc. should only be provided, never applied by the patroller.

Communications

• Cell phones• Amateur radio• HAM radio

Communication Skills

• The mountain bike patroller will:– Know technical aspects of using a two-way

radio and cellular phones– Know how to contact and provide feedback to

the trail steward, club and land manager– Demonstrate the ability to interact effectively

with the trail users (hikers, horses and bikers.)

2-Way Radio Communication

• 151.625 MHz frequency is licensed to IMBA by the FCC for the NMBP program.

• In the event of life-threatening emergency, patrollers can transmit on any frequency (including 155.160 or other special emergency frequencies monitored by hospitals or emergency agencies) to call for help.

• Use of the NMBP call sign is restricted to NMBP member groups/individuals. The NMBP call sign is: WPLT262.

NMBP Supporters

The Goal of the NMBP

• Maintain and promote trail opportunities for the sport of mountain biking through:– Assisting– Educating– Informing

And don’t forget to have fun!