waffles and low blood pressure dont mix !

Well today was going to be un eventful as i wasnt going to ride again b4 i head off to England on thursday ( to get married) so after a late start and missing the entire vets road race, myself and ann arrived in time to see the finish of there TT race.

I had been informed by race orgainizers that phil ( crick) and patrick ( keep up lad) were off and riding and that phil had a green cap,turns out that it was blue and with camera in hand i watched as he whizzed passed the finish,too late to get the snap ( was still looking for a green cap!) , next time phil i will get a zoom lens so i can see who is coming. A little later pat came into view,heart rate monitor saying " wait for me" but he wasnt waiting for nobody and passed the finish in fine form.After a couple of snaps it was off we went and in search of food.Copenhagen was the next stop and waffles it was for Ann and pear tart for me,really healthy choices i know so Ann suggested we burn it off on a ride. Home we headed and out with the bikes we went.A route was in Anns head so i followed her lead as we headed along the bike path to the start of the expressway,then turning back toward home.As we approached flaxmill bridge Ann needed to stop as she was feeling sick and light headed.It wasnt long b4 the wafflels re-appeared and with that Anns blood pressure dropped so low she was almost out like a light.I somehow managed to grab her and lay my bike down,holding her up long enough to remove her bike from under her and sit her down. After sometime and some water she got to her feet and was able to ride the short distance home.After a brief visit to see the doc we were told that throwing up can lower your blood pressure and if you have low blood pressure already,as Ann has it can cause you to pass out.

Ann is now home and all is well but it made me think about how ill prepared i was to deal with this situation had it been worse and we were in a less accessable part of the bike track and needed help.I had done a first aid coarse many years ago but not re-newed it and was out of my depth had i needed to do more than just sit her down.So i wonder how you all would cope if your riding partner suddenly stopped and collapsed in front of you ? Would you know what to do? I for one will make sure i am better prepared if it ever happens again and will re-sit my first aid coarse on my return from the wedding.the other thing that was dissapointing was the two cyclists that rode passed at this time and didnt even ask if we needed help of any kind!!!! Keep safe riders and learn what to do when the s--t hits the fan.

1 member likes this

< Previous Post

Comment by Baron Von Thierry on August 19, 2012 at 22:26: I am taking meds for high BP (tks mum!) but after a long hard ride I sometimes measure it. I was at first surprised to see it much lower than usual, sometimes as low as 100/60. A bit of googling revealed that the most likely cause of low BP after excercise is dehydration. It's not hot at the moment but dehydration can still be an issue!

Comment by RD6 on August 19, 2012 at 22:34: Has Anne been unwell prior to this ?

Comment by RD6 on August 19, 2012 at 22:36: "So i wonder how you all would cope if your riding partner suddenly stopped and collapsed in front of you ? Would you know what to do"

I would suggest to ring 000, better be safe than sorry

Comment by Baron Von Thierry on August 19, 2012 at 23:17: +1

Comment by colin ware-lane on August 19, 2012 at 23:26: @ barron try 87/40 that was anns @ rd6 its a no brainner to call 000 but what about b4 they get there????

Comment by Gus K on August 19, 2012 at 23:26: I keeled over in the city a yr ago after riding in. Totally blacked out. Low blood pressure and dehydration were the most probable cause.

Do you think she was a bit over dressed for the conditions and got too hot?

As for what to do, lie her down with feet elevated is a good start.

Comment by Pete (repeats ?) Roberts on August 19, 2012 at 23:59: Sounds a bit scary Colin. Hope you're well again now Ann ?

I have always carried a small first aid kit when riding long distances from home, but really knowing what to do, or how to help??? well I'm no doctor, so I guess I would be floundering ...

I have been considering doing a Senior First Aid course, but I have been saying that for months. (years).

Thanks for reminding us that we are not immortal and we do need to be able to look after ourselves.

Comment by heather on August 20, 2012 at 12:54: Could AC organise a group of members to do a first aid course, and at discount price because a group? That would encourage some to brush up on their first aid. (My certificate has expired and I cannot find the small book I bought.) Would be beneficial if AC group rides included members who know how to treat snake bite, heart attack and outcome of bike crashes.

Will anyone volunteer to look into organising an AC group for first aid classes?

Comment by heather on August 20, 2012 at 13:29: Congrats Colin and Ann. Best wishes for the big day and your future together.

Comment by Alastair (A-Man) Dowler on August 20, 2012 at 14:40: Nice read Colin, thankfully you were right there to catch her so to speak. Good luck and happy wishes for both of you. At least now you have prove that Anne has "fallen" for you.

waffles and low blood pressure dont mix !

You need to be a member of Adelaide Cyclists to add comments!

Support our Sponsors