When they crash?

[ekholms-mx-farm]

I am curios to here how others react to when there child crashes.

Mikie rolled his quad a few weeks back. He was going around 10mph and turned to sharp on his quad. I saw it all. As soon as the quad went up he jumped. This was a good thing as it put him away from the quad as it fliped over. At this time I RAN over and he was sitting on his rear just looking at the bike. I asked if he was ok and did anything hurt. He said "i'm fine daddy". I then told him to flip the quad back up and asked if he knew why he crashed. He said "I thought it would slide". I then re-explained that the terain he was on was not going to let the bike slide. And he would need to brake and slow down for corners. He then got back on the quad and went back across the yard at about the same speed and BRAKED for the corner. I gave him one of these at let him ride.

Now I will be honest. It scared the bajjiebees out of me, but I did not want it to show. I wonder how I will do when it is more serious?

I have also explain to him that he will crash and he will get hurt, some time. Everyone does. Specially racers,and freestylers.

[Woody_393]

Ahhh, you don't have a whiner on your hands at least.

My 6 year old took a dirt sample yesterday and it wasn't bad at all, but he screamed like he'd been shot or something. After I stopped laughing (not outloud of course, but it was pretty funny) I ran over to see if he was okay, and tried to re-assure him that he would be okay. I asked if he was bleeding or if anything was broken and he said no, but kept crying and tell me he didn't want to ride in the field. He didn't stop crying for a while and that drove me CRAZY, but at least he still wants to ride. We'll just have to take it slow.

I think you did better then I did. I just hate whiners and he's was sent to this earth to teach me patience. I'm just losing that battle..

[Woody_393]

Oh, and one thing I always try and do. I always mention how glad I am that they were wearing their helmet, gloves, chest protector etc so they were protected. I think it helps instill in them the importance of safety equipment.

[Florida 393]

Being there for a crash is gut wrenching even if it is an easy-walk away type for the first couple of years. I was right behind John for his first get off at the track, he dropped off the side of a table top, to the left and into some brush face first over the bars. he crushed the face guard on his helmet and his braces cut up his mouth and broke a main wire on top. I looked back as I came to a stop after the jump and he was climbing up the side. he had the helmet off and blood was covering his lower face and jersey. Somehow I stayed calm and walked back to him and checked him over. Some riders got his bike back up to the track and we started it so he could go back to the pits. Short day from that, but he was ready to ride immediately. New helmet, repaired the braces and next Sunday it was business as usual.

I was not present in 2005 when he crashed hard and was knocked unconscious. I got the dreaded phone call form Monica that he had been taken by ambulance to the hospital. Moderate concussion and 1 night in ICU followed by a days observation. Came home and was released in 1 month. No ill effects at all. It was tough driving from the Air Station into Pensacola without knowing how he was or any details.

Bill

[mxmama393]

Hey Bill, how long was he knocked out? Was it a few seconds or minutes?

Jude, my 6 yr old that took a BAD spill a week or so ago, I think he got knocked out. I say "I think" cause he is not a complainer. When he falls he never cries or anything. His goal is trying to make sure the bike doesn't die.
Anyway, I was video taping when he wrecked and was a few hundred feet away, but got it on film. When he did crash, I thought he may pop back up. I didn't realize he hit a tree at that time. It happened so fast, I thought he went into the brush.

He never made a sound until the moment I got there, and that was several seconds later. I don't know when he sat up, cause he was in the brush and I couldn't see.

Well we went to the hospital because 1/2 his face was really swollen by the time I got his helmet off and he was crying. I thought a branch smacked his face.

They did a scan and said everything was fine, he was dazed for about an hour or so, then was back to normal.
I never realized he got knocked out until I watched the video. That heart wrenching video! In slow motion, I can see when he hit the tree, his little body just went completely limp and the bike went on. I know from that point in time until I got there, he didn't make a sound. My heart sinks when I even think about it, I feel very guilty for having a track in my back yard. He doesn't remember crashing but he remembers the pain from it!

Anyway, I never saw that detail before we went to the hospital, and I now I worry that maybe they needed to know that before the scan.

I cant imagine the pain of running to him and finding him unconscious, if thats what happened to who ever was there when your son wrecked in -05.

So I wonder how long your son was knocked out for him to require that much care.


OH, and I was sure to talk to Jude about what it would have been like with no goggles or helmet, he is very thankful for his gear at such a young age!

[Florida 393]

Mama,
John was out for several minutes and was confused for about a day. That was why they put him in ICU. Anytime the rider is unconscious on arrival and cannot answer 3 repeated questions he is watched for at least 24 hours. Asterics Medics use this routine in the MX and SX races to gauge a concussion too. he was at a private track in Kickindirt114's back yard. When he could answer the questions they did another neurological assessment on him and kept him 24 more hours then allowed him to come home.

We asked about the concussion contributing to his newly found epilepsy and the neurologist said the area effected in the crash was completely healthy and the EEG showed another area causing the epilepsy. He stated that the epilepsy was not caused by the crash.

Bill

[mxmama393]

Thanks for sharing that information.

[MotoMan]

I guess to answer the question, it would depend on how bad the crash is. If its just a tip over or a minor thing Jace normally just gets up and there is no issue. He came up short on the bigger double on his track last year and scarred the hell out of me though, I knew when he was coming up to it he was going to be short but at that point there is nothing you can do but hope for he best. He flew over the bars and the bike landed right on him, that one scared me, I ran over to him, and to my surprise, he wasn't crying at all, in fact.....he was laughing. Kids.

[kenyz]

Originally Posted by Woody_393

... After I stopped laughing (not outloud of course, but it was pretty funny) ...

You sound like my dad, except he would have been laughing out loud. If anyone ever watches That 70's show. Red? That's my dad.

[crfjedi393]

This is a wide open question. I agree with MotoMan that it depends on the severity of the crash. My son and I have raced many times and filmed each other in the process. Very early on we formed an agreement to "get the crash". I even posted a video here a year or so ago of him crashing. On the other hand, he crashed one time when I just dropped the camera where I stood and ran as fast as I could to where he lay. I was nursing a broken fibula so I was not the first one there. At this point, the video was the LAST thing on my mind. Thankfully, no bones were broken.
It really doesn't matter how old your kids are when it comes to crashing. You know it's going to happen but you always get torn up inside when you see it. Buy them the best safety equipment you can afford and prepare yourself mentally for some trips to the ER.
It's gonna happen!

[mxmama393]

You know I can really relate to what you ask, I forgot to answer your question... SORRY! I kinda took over there for a sec.


I know exactly how you feel, and I think since you are aware of the circumstances, and the possibilities, and as long as your child "WANTS" to ride, you will do fine.

The way I argue with myself about feeling guilty for Jude's spill, is reminding myself he is doing what he really enjoys. There isn't anything that makes me more proud as a parent to see the joy he is gets out of it.

I ask myself the same thing you do, "What would I do if it was worse?"

There are so many other dangers in life that lurk in unknown places, its impossible to know how you will react in any given situation.

The best thing you can do is teach your child, (just like you did by explaining to him the difference in terrain). That is a lesson he will always remember.

When you practice safety, and good communication you are giving them the best tools for the job.


If you really think about it.... I think there is more risk involved riding in an automobile everyday, than riding a dirt bike. IMO

[Woody_393]

Ha, that's a stretch, but we'll take it.

[mxmama393]

If you really think about it.... I think there is more risk involved riding in an automobile everyday, than riding a dirt bike. IMO

Generally, I feel it’s less likely someone else’s actions would be causing an injury

I look at it like this…

All the people on the road
The judgment they use
The skill may or may not have
The influence they may be under
The weight of their vehicle
The experience they may or may not have

I have no control over any of these factors, and any one of them can be deadly. No matter how good of a driver I am.

On a dirt bike in a race, I would think people have more skills to operate that bike than many who I see have drivers license.

Without racing on a dirt bike, it would seem what ever happens is more up to the rider of the bike, than when you are a driver of a car.

Also when I think about a wreck pound for pound… on a dirt bike seems like the proper gear is going to do more for you, than in a vehicle with only a seat belt.

I am sure many people feel differnt. This is just what I think about when I compare the risk factors.

[DRGSin393]

Originally Posted by Woody_393

Ahhh, you don't have a whiner on your hands at least.

My 6 year old took a dirt sample yesterday and it wasn't bad at all, but he screamed like he'd been shot or something. After I stopped laughing (not outloud of course, but it was pretty funny) I ran over to see if he was okay, and tried to re-assure him that he would be okay. I asked if he was bleeding or if anything was broken and he said no, but kept crying and tell me he didn't want to ride in the field. He didn't stop crying for a while and that drove me CRAZY, but at least he still wants to ride. We'll just have to take it slow.

I think you did better then I did. I just hate whiners and he's was sent to this earth to teach me patience. I'm just losing that battle..

[mxmama393]

OH yes, that is really funny!!! It is really hard to be sympathetic when nothing is wrong.

How long has that 6 yr old been riding anyway?

[Woody_393]

That would have been his 3rd day riding. This particular son is the reason I got a PW50, as in his words the xr50 is too big and heavy. I will admit this one is a lot better for him though.

The first 2 in the street, and now one last time in the field behind my house, but when he crashed it broke the throttle assembly so it's still in pieces in the garage until I get the time to finish the job.

[MotoMan]

Originally Posted by Woody_393

That would have been his 3rd day riding. This particular son is the reason I got a PW50, as in his words the xr50 is too big and heavy. I will admit this one is a lot better for him though.

The first 2 in the street, and now one last time in the field behind my house, but when he crashed it broke the throttle assembly so it's still in pieces in the garage until I get the time to finish the job.

Wow....he's just tearin the heck out of it isn't he??

[mxmama393]

Wow....he's just tearin the heck out of it isn't he??

wait.... breath....now





on another note..

So you got a lot of crash footage eh? I would love to see it. Ever since I have been playing with video editing, I think of the fun I could have with crash footage!

[Malcolmv8]

I know this is an older thread but very interesting. My son is 6 now but last year when he was 5 I got him a JR50. His first bike. He'd been riding a little sunl quad for about 6 months though.

Anyhow first weekend out to the riding park we took it real easy and got him used to the bike and the controls. By the end of the day he was just wizzing around on the bike like he'd been riding for months. It was great.

Then we didn't get to ride for 2 weeks. We finally get back out. Forgetting he's only ridden once and needs to get used to it again he jumps on and starts zooming around the track. He gets wobbly and falls over in a corner. Not to big a deal except he landed funny and his pants pulled up and he burnt his leg on the exhaust. Now he hates the bike and won't ride it. It's been almost a year and I can't get him to ride it. He rides the quad all the time and loves it but doesn't think the bike is any fun any more.

Hopefully this summer he'll get back on it. I almost sold the bike a few weeks ago but while getting the pics up on ebay and the reality of the bike been gone sunk in he suddenly changed his mind and told me to keep it. He says he'll ride it again. We'll see next time we get out to the riding park.

Malcolm

[mxmama393]

I think that riding boots would help make him feel more secure.
They offer much protection by keeping the pants in place along with supporting the ankle as well.

If he was wearing them, try tucking the paints inside the boots. Or maybe they were and got pulled out... ?

I burnt my leg today on my sons muffler just bending down to talk to him. OUCH!