Preparing for a Blood Bike Shift
Like many things in life, people prepare themselves in different ways so I thought I would share the routine I go through every-time I am on duty.
- Complete POWDER check
This is something you get taught when undertaking post-test training, I learned about this acronym from my IAM group and it stands for
Petrol
Oil
Water
Damage/drive chain/destination
Electrics
Rubber
Ensuring that I check all of these things in advance means that I can get on the road quickly.
2. Check Straps / Blood Box Cover and POD Book
Ensuring that I have all of these things in my tank bag, ready and checked over means less worrying about something going wrong when I arrive somewhere.
3. Lay out biking gear
I check over my helmet to make sure the visor is clean and clear, the internal headset is working and charged up, my bike jacket, trousers and boots are clean and in good condition and make sure my blood jacket and ID card are close by so I have less rushing around trying to find anything in the early hours.
4. Check weather and local traffic reports
Having upfront information about the evenings weather and any local road closures means I’m less likely to be surprised when out on a run.
After all of this has been done and I’ve had something to eat I call into the controller and let them know I’m ready and good to go.
Then it’s time to keep myself busy until the calls come in, sometimes it can be quiet until the early hours of the morning so I try and stay awake until about 11pm and then head to bed.
I find that having my phone next to my head with the ringer volume on its highest possible setting ensures that the calls at 4am still manage to wake me up from my deep slumber.
