RED CROSS ADULT FIRST AID TRAINING for OHV

Red Cross Training Site

Concord, CA

OPINION – RED CROSS ADULT FIRST AID TRAINING

By Don Amador

As a recreation professional that participates in - or lends support to - motorized events, trail stewardship projects, and post wildfire recovery efforts, I want to encourage heads of households, club officers, trail bosses, vehicle safety course instructors, and others in leadership roles to get Adult First Aid, CPR, and AED training from the American Red Cross.  This training will help you stabilize an injured rider or trail volunteer in the field until the emergency responders arrive on scene.

Keeping your Red Cross 1^st Aid certification up-to-date is required if you are Forest Service Chainsaw certified.  Also, it is an important prerequisite if you plan to take the Forest Service Chainsaw class.

Red Cross Certification Card

Having just taken the Red Cross 1^st Aid course yesterday, I agree with the Red Cross statement (on their website) that whether you take an in-person class, an online course, or take advantage of their Simulation Learning experience, which combines online coursework with in-person training, you'll learn from some of the best in the industry. Knowledgeable, understanding and able to deliver information suited to a wide range of learning styles, American Red Cross first aid instructors will help ensure that you not only understand the steps for performing first aid, but that you have the confidence and skills necessary to perform them correctly.

QWR's Post Wildfire Recovery Program

To learn more about the American Red Cross training programs, please visit:

https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid

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NEW CONGRESS INTRODUCES BILL TO REOPEN CLEAR CREEK

Clear Creek's 3 Amigos

Ron Deshazer (L) - Ed Tobin (C) - Don Amador (R)

Off-roaders can be proud of the ongoing “never-give-up” 10-year effort to reopen Clear Creek to both casual off-road riding and permitted motorized events.  The introduction of H.R. 403 on January 10, 2019 by Congressman Panetta highlights the decade long battle to create a bipartisan legislative solution to the closure.

LINK TO PANETTA CLEAR CREEK NEWS RELEASE

https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-panetta-introduces-legislation-reopen-clear-creek-recreation-area

This continues to be a Herculean task that is the result of a dedicated team of OHV advocates and supporters at the local, state, and national level.  A special note of thanks goes out to the CA OHV Commission that commissioned an independent risk assessment study which concluded that management and operational strategies could be effectively employed in the area to allow OHV use without exposing the public to unacceptable risks.

Thanks also to our national partners at ARRA, MIC, and AMA that continue to champion the reopening of Clear Creek before Congress and the Administration.  

BETA USA COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE OFF-ROAD RECREATION

QWR's Don Amador with Beta 300 XTrainer

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Don Amador, QWR

Phone: 925.783.1834

Email: damador@quietwarriorracing.com

Date: January 7, 2019

PASO ROBLES, CA (Jan. 7) –  For the 2nd consecutive year, Beta USA is partnering with Quiet Warrior Racing (QWR) and its Sound Trails Initiative (STI) to support environmentally responsible off-road recreational opportunities on public lands.

"Quiet is Cool"

STI is focused on federal land OHV travel management planning efforts to enhance existing off-road motorcycle trail networks or to designate additional motorized roads, trails, and areas.

The STI also includes trail stewardship projects, trail-ethic education, and ongoing efforts to streamline the recreation event permit process.

Tim Pilg, President, Beta USA, states, “I am proud of our support for QWR’s efforts to champion responsible off-road motorcycle use on designated trails.  Keeping trails open for both casual riding and competition is a full-time job and we are glad to have Don on our trail access team.”

Don Amador, President, Quiet Warrior Racing, states, “It’s an honor to have the support of Beta USA in 2019.  I look forward to riding the 300 X Trainer to review single-track trail motorcycle and other OHV opportunities on public lands. What a great way to kick-off a single-track trail revival for current and future generations of off-road motorcycle enthusiasts.”

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Quiet Warrior Racing promotes a responsible trail and road ethic for both non-street legal and street legal motorized vehicles by offering quality recreation-oriented consulting services to its clients for the benefit of their customers, stakeholders, and the public good.

FEDERAL SHUTDOWN – Key Role for Unofficial OHV Volunteers

Closure Sign During 2013 Federal Shutdown

BLM Samoa Dunes Recreation Area

As the federal shutdown continues into the New Year and OHV recreationists prepare to access their favorite Forest Service or BLM riding area, they should expect to find two scenarios --  trail networks/areas that are OPEN for public use and areas that are CLOSED for public use. 

Unlike the last major federal shutdown in 2013 where users were faced with numerous closure signs/locked gates at most popular OHV areas, the administration appears to be taking a softer more pro-access stance during the current federal shutdown by not posting shutdown-related closure signs or locking of entrance gates at some destination OHV sites.

Since non-essential (i.e. recreation and trail managers and staff, etc.) federal employees are prohibited from working (i.e. managing volunteers, checking email, etc. ) during a shutdown, it appears that taking care of our riding areas will require activation of an unofficial volunteer workforce to clean/stock bathrooms (those that are not locked), pick up trash, and personal interaction with fellow riders about staying on designated routes and respecting seasonal wet weather and other closure prescriptions.

Here are a few “low hanging fruit” suggestions for OHVers who ride at federal recreation sites that are not gated or signed closed.

• Stay on designated routes 
• Take your trash home and pick up trash left by others
•  Prepare to practice “Leave No Trace” tenets when it comes to disposing of human waste
•  Respect seasonal, wet weather, post-wildfire restrictions
•  Use state and local riding areas that are not impacted by the federal closure

QWR commends those “unofficial” volunteer efforts that are already taking place and encourages other clubs and users to empower themselves to become an unofficial trail volunteer during this shutdown.  Remember it’s our land and we have a responsibility to take care of it.