Ride2Live - Lifesaving First Aid for Cyclists
Ride2Live is a book for cyclists by a cyclist. The book gives you the knowledge to potentially save the life of your fellow cyclists or maybe your own. After my own life was saved through CPR by the side of a road, I went searching for a compact book that would offer me simple life-saving information and was surprised to find there wasn’t one. Ride2Live is my opportunity to give back, an offering to the karma bank if you like, and a way of honouring the everyday heroes who brought me back to life and back to my family in Adelaide, South Australia.
Outline
Cyclists are statistically more at risk of accidents and more likely to arrive first at the scene of an accident. Once at that scene they are also at risk of being hit by another vehicle. This book is aimed at all cyclists whether they road ride, mountain bike, race, commute or only roll out every now and then. It covers basic life support skills, to common medical conditions and specific problems often faced by cyclists.
Ride2Live book in pouch
The book will take the form of a lightweight, pocket-sized, ziplock pouched item which will fit comfortably in the back pocket of any cycling jersey. For those concerned about how much they carry, there will also be an app version where all content can be delivered on your iPhone (hopefully Android too if we can boost the funding goal).
This book is for anyone who spends time on two wheels, cycling for fitness, fun or competition. Everyone deserves to stay healthy and keep doing what they love. The information in this book could help you save a life be it your riding mate, a stranger, or even your own.
Another important part of the book is an invaluable set of tips for cycling safety, compiled from the experience of a large number of seasoned cyclists. These include essential safety tips like visibility, road safety and techniques for riding in a group, through to the more subtle safety slips many of us make without knowing.
Ride2Live creator: Adam Carpenter
About the creator
My name is Adam Carpenter. I’m a husband, a father of two young children, owner of a graphic design business, a cyclist and a very lucky man. My life was saved by a group of trained medical personnel who happened to be riding behind me on a fundraising ride for the Amy Gillett Foundation. Not long into the ride on a relatively gentle climb I suffered a Cardiac Arrest. Without warning my heart went into ventricular fibrillation, apparently the worst kind. My heart stopped pumping blood before I even stopped moving, bringing me to a heap on the side of the road. I was saved by the fast and comprehensive first aid work of more than 10 fellow cyclists, incredibly all trained medical personnel including Anaesthetists, Paramedics and other doctors. I was administered CPR and mouth-to-mouth for more than 15 minutes until I could be defibrillated by Paramedics. As I said... lucky!
It was this event and subsequent loss of life from others in my hometown through similar circumstances that inspired me to create a resource which cyclists can use to save the life of a fellow cyclist in an emergency. Personally, I couldn’t stand seeing one of my friends die and be powerless to help, due to a lack of first aid knowledge.
The Funding model
We are seeking $20,000 AUD to get this project off the ground. This includes:
• Printing the 60pg pocket sized books, (high quality print with matte laminate cover)
• Construction of the Ride2Live eBook App and Emergency ID App (iPhone)
• Manufacture and packing of the mini first aid kits
• Supply of the zip-lock jersey pouches
• A professional writer to edit all of the content
• Creation of all of the illustrations to help guide you through the processes and procedures (ie: no horrible blood-filled photos).
Of course as a Graphic Designer the majority of the costs for content generation, design, layout and final artwork, will be worn by me. However, small amounts over the reserve might pay for some of the time spent away from my family and my ‘real job’, making this whole thing happen. Substantial amounts over the reserve will mean I can add value to the packages, whether this is through additional production value to the book, Android and/or Windows App functionality, or some extra “bonuses” in the final packages shipped.
Ride2Live Emergency ID App
International versions
Depending on orders received from the UK and/or the US, we would be seeking to create regional versions for these major markets. The medical information will not change, however emergency contact numbers and spelling etc, will be adapted where required. The Apps will be internationalised for Australia, the US and the UK from the launch date, however the books can only be printed in a 500 minimum run size, we would need at least 250 orders from each country to be able to customise the print - this is up to you guys! Who knows, we could have enough demand from enough countries that the book goes out in multiple languages and on more than 3 continents, but let's start simple!
Timing and schedule
I am hoping the August delivery date is a worst-case scenario. The content for the book is more or less ready. The final editing, writing of introductions and tributes etc from backers will be the last content to include. The illustrator is standing by for the funding to get going on the illustrations throughout the book and App. Then it is down to layout and printing of the books and building of the Apps. These processes don't take a long time, but we want to ensure the best products possible, as such they won't be rushed.
The vetting of medical content by the proper authorities and channels in each country is an unknown time quantity, but as we are doing in Australia, we seek out a champion in the medical industry to spearhead the approval process and keep things swift and add sway to our approvals. Ideally we will be seeking endorsement from organisations such as St John or Red Cross, however we will not let these items delay the timeline for August. Fingers crossed we are in mailboxes earlier than expected!
App building and the App Store process
We have allowed the time and resources to build an awesome App. At this stage for iPhone only, however we will set a fundraising target to open up Android and/or Windows phone platforms when funding nears the target. We need to establish the best way to make the App accessible via the App Store, and unlocking the payment for those who have purchased the App already via Indiegogo.
We have already made it past the largest hurdles in this project, being the ability for a non-medical person to spearhead a medical resource, but ensuring we have the right people on board to get the medical stuff 100% water tight. Sourcing of the content and production channels for the books, apps and medical kits, plus international shipping and legal requirements. Trademarking and legals for the brand and the markets we are delivering to.
The good news for you, the backer is that this is what I do every day: From designing brands, publications and digital interfaces, to project management for production of printing, websites, Apps and promotional items, through to fulfilment and international shipping. It's almost like my whole working life has been getting ready for this project! Bring it on!
Let's make it happen!
As you know, if we don’t reach the funding goal the project will die… not to mention how many people’s lives may be in jeopardy… lives people… lives are at stake here… So, let’s get it happening! Every contributor will be kept up to date with sneak peeks at the book contents along the way. Major milestone updates and project production stages will be photographed and reported as they happen.
Stay tuned… it’s about to get exciting!
Important notice This book is not intended to take the place of formal First Aid training. It is recommended that everyone should have a First Aid certificate where possible, ensuring they are properly trained and up to date with developments in best practice First Aid techniques and procedures.
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