How safe are you at night in the pits!

Wade Mahaffey · 02-14-2010, 11:37 AM

I realize what this forum is about, and I know the mind set of the readers is about going fast. I also know that racers normally have very good common sense. The problem is that common sense is not enough in life threatning situations. It takes knowledge, experience, and training to win, just like racing. If you take the average racer and put him/her in a stressful emergency situation, it would be like taking someone from the grandstands and puting them in your car on race day! Sure they could win, (opponent red light, mechanical issue, break out, etc) but I don't like my chances. I'm not saying, lets start training all racers in emergency procedures. My point is that race officals need to be aware of the lack of protection, when the protection has gone home for the day. If you have ever had a need for emergency assistance, it seems like it takes along time. If you're out in the country at a race track, it will take a longggggg time! Would that be acceptable if it was your mama that needed help! Like I said, there are many folks like Mr. Fernandaz that have skills and could be called upon. But I guarrentee you there are people who have parked right next to Ed and have no idea.

Here's a senario for ya:
Joe Quick is racing at the nationals. He brought is 10 year old son, and his neighbor (Bill)who helps him around the garage. Joe's car has been acting up all day, causing bill to run back and forth to the trailer for tools/parts etc. They get back to the trailer (after winning 3rd round and going to the show on sunday) now it's time to celebrate with Uncle Buck and George Donhauser (in other words eat real good!, drink, and smoke them big ones). Now bill has just takin his insulin shot for (Diabetes) because he knows he's getting ready to eat. It starts to rain a little (Div 1), so Joe and Bill hustle up to get the car put away in the trailer and button up around the pit area. First of all, Bill has been running all day, his body using more sugar than usual. Now he has injected himself with Insulin to use even more sugar. Now you have the recipe for disaster! Bill tells Joe to go ahead to Georges without him, he's gonna rest a while (Bills sugar, now dangerously low is affecting his ability to function/reason and he forgets to eat at all! Bill will soon be unconcious and this will be life threatning) After dark Joe's son finds Bill lying on the floor in the motor home. He cannot wake Bill, he is scared and starts running through the pits
looking for an offical for help.(their all on the gates). It would have been nice for the child to have known of a marker on John Racers trailer next door , identifying him as a racer with emergency skills. Now John can do a quick assesment and maybe find a medical braclett or necklace with Diabetic markings. Now he can call 911 and provide some good information on the patient. While waiting for rescue, John interviews Joe and learns of probable low blood sugar situation. Now john can rub a little mashed up sugar paste type substance (candy bar, cake icing) between the cheek and gum to provide some sugar for Bill's body while waiting for rescue to arrive. He my very well have just saved Bill's life right there! All because of "EARLY INTERVENTION" and just a little planning from the racing community.

Thank you
Wade Mahaffey

Rick Bailey · 02-14-2010, 12:58 PM

Wade,
Good post and I all for the special idenifacation of those folks that are trained in medical or other safey talents.

When people are pitted the fire risk is at one level............but the one thing that has always made me nervous was the stacking at national events. I say Joliet is probly the safest, but the US Nats has to be the most dangerous. Just one fire in the middle of the 10 rows of rigs. ????? total loss of.....

And what about a medical emergency.............a cell phone call from a person in their MH and what do you tell the 911 folks. ? I'm rig # 225, or the 32nd rig in the 6th row but the purple trailer...........

No! I don't know the correct senario but what Wade is sugesting in spot on !

Thanks Wade.

Rick Bailey

Ed Fernandez · 02-14-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Bailey

Wade,
Good post and I all for the special idenifacation of those folks that are trained in medical or other safey talents.

When people are pitted the fire risk is at one level............but the one thing that has always made me nervous was the stacking at national events. I say Joliet is probly the safest, but the US Nats has to be the most dangerous. Just one fire in the middle of the 10 rows of rigs. ????? total loss of.....

And what about a medical emergency.............a cell phone call from a person in their MH and what do you tell the 911 folks. ? I'm rig # 225, or the 32nd rig in the 6th row but the purple trailer...........

No! I don't know the correct senario but what Wade is sugesting in spot on !

Thanks Wade.

Rick Bailey

If an emergengy condition happens someone can be put at the main gate with a pit vehicle and others with flashlights can guide the emergency vehicles to the location.That's the theory,hopefully it can be carried out under pressure.

Drooze,are you sniffing the C-12 fumes again??????????????????

larry dowty · 02-14-2010, 01:15 PM

something that always scared me is locking the gate after dark, with medical condition myself i always tell my neighbor what is up with me.

Ed Fernandez · 02-14-2010, 01:48 PM

Another thing is medical alerts.I'm guilty of not wearing a med alert.Used to wear a bracelet when I raced with a penicillen allergy warning.I will now,after reading this thread pick one up.
I would imagine someone is at the gates,locked or not at nationals.Correct me if I'm wrong.Maybe the SRAC guys can push for some safety considerations for overnight
med security with the tracks.If so don't be surprised if they tack on an entry surcharge though.

art leong · 02-14-2010, 03:14 PM

I was concerned about being locked in at a track last year. But after some inquiring I found out that the lock on the gate was a combination lock that police and fire had the combination to.
I believe most emergency services are prepared for incidents at a public venue.
When I worked for the Staten Island Ferry every 6 months or so the local fire department would come down to familiarize the newer guys with the below decks spaces. And coordinate the "what ifs". As in if there was an engine room fire they learned not to do anything till they talked to both the master and the chief engineer. If we had a bad below decks fire. We would simply shut the ventilation off and pull the CO2 system flooding the spaces with CO2 and removing the oxygen. You don't need a bunch of firemen. down there, if their Scottpack failed they would never make it out. No mater how good they were at eating smoke.

dragracer9911 · 02-15-2010, 01:10 PM

Please respect what Wade is saying. I have known him for 30 years. He is an accomplished fabricator, an avid drag racer at both the national level as well as the local scene, and is now a retired firefighter from one of the nation's busyest county's. He has vast Haz-Mat experince. He knows of what he is talking about.
In addition to what Wade was saying, when was the last time you saw a race car trailer with the Haz-Mat placard or a helmet with your blood type. There are a lot of things that we can each do to help ourselves. Most of us take things for granted, including myself. I used to always ride around what ever track that I was at just to see where everything was(mostly the snack bar and restrooms), but really to see the shut down area, ambalance, firetruck if any, etc.. Again, now I probably take it for granted.

Jody Lang · 02-17-2010, 11:11 PM

[QUOTE=art leong;169160]I was concerned about being locked in at a track last year. But after some inquiring I found out that the lock on the gate was a combination lock that police and fire had the combination to.
I believe most emergency services are prepared for incidents at a public venue.

Art, from personal experience this couldn't be further from the truth.

Jim Wahl · 02-15-2010, 03:00 PM

As a retired 33 year veteran Firefighter/ paramedic I applaud you for starting this thread on pit safety! Many of our fellow racers are or were firefighters, EMT's or Paramedics and carry first aid equipment, I know I do. If you have a medical emergency dial 911 and then seek assistance from your racer buddies who no doubt will now that there is an EMT or Medic a few trailers down from you. Notify one of your sanctioning (NHRA, IHRA etc.) officials who can use their radio and guide the responding agency to your location. Take a basic first aid class yourself, I promise you when (not if) it is time for you to act in an emergency you will be glad you did! Last but not least, DO NOT FREAK OUT! Stay calm. You will only make the situation worse by running around screaming "Oh boy, oh boy!". Have a plan!!!! Be safe. Jim

FED 387 · 02-15-2010, 03:45 PM

Great post---Also along these lines EVERY racer should have their blood type and if any allergies or if you are diabetic etc on the back of your helmet maybe put it on with a dymo tape or a label maker nothing real big but something so that EMT/ track rescue personell know what to maybe treat/not treat you for. SCCA and motorcycle racing associations do this. We should too. I have it on my helmet!!! comp 387

02-14-2010, 11:37 AM	#1
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Re: How safe are you at night in the pits! I realize what this forum is about, and I know the mind set of the readers is about going fast. I also know that racers normally have very good common sense. The problem is that common sense is not enough in life threatning situations. It takes knowledge, experience, and training to win, just like racing. If you take the average racer and put him/her in a stressful emergency situation, it would be like taking someone from the grandstands and puting them in your car on race day! Sure they could win, (opponent red light, mechanical issue, break out, etc) but I don't like my chances. I'm not saying, lets start training all racers in emergency procedures. My point is that race officals need to be aware of the lack of protection, when the protection has gone home for the day. If you have ever had a need for emergency assistance, it seems like it takes along time. If you're out in the country at a race track, it will take a longggggg time! Would that be acceptable if it was your mama that needed help! Like I said, there are many folks like Mr. Fernandaz that have skills and could be called upon. But I guarrentee you there are people who have parked right next to Ed and have no idea. Here's a senario for ya: Joe Quick is racing at the nationals. He brought is 10 year old son, and his neighbor (Bill)who helps him around the garage. Joe's car has been acting up all day, causing bill to run back and forth to the trailer for tools/parts etc. They get back to the trailer (after winning 3rd round and going to the show on sunday) now it's time to celebrate with Uncle Buck and George Donhauser (in other words eat real good!, drink, and smoke them big ones). Now bill has just takin his insulin shot for (Diabetes) because he knows he's getting ready to eat. It starts to rain a little (Div 1), so Joe and Bill hustle up to get the car put away in the trailer and button up around the pit area. First of all, Bill has been running all day, his body using more sugar than usual. Now he has injected himself with Insulin to use even more sugar. Now you have the recipe for disaster! Bill tells Joe to go ahead to Georges without him, he's gonna rest a while (Bills sugar, now dangerously low is affecting his ability to function/reason and he forgets to eat at all! Bill will soon be unconcious and this will be life threatning) After dark Joe's son finds Bill lying on the floor in the motor home. He cannot wake Bill, he is scared and starts running through the pits looking for an offical for help.(their all on the gates). It would have been nice for the child to have known of a marker on John Racers trailer next door , identifying him as a racer with emergency skills. Now John can do a quick assesment and maybe find a medical braclett or necklace with Diabetic markings. Now he can call 911 and provide some good information on the patient. While waiting for rescue, John interviews Joe and learns of probable low blood sugar situation. Now john can rub a little mashed up sugar paste type substance (candy bar, cake icing) between the cheek and gum to provide some sugar for Bill's body while waiting for rescue to arrive. He my very well have just saved Bill's life right there! All because of "EARLY INTERVENTION" and just a little planning from the racing community. Thank you Wade Mahaffey

02-14-2010, 12:58 PM	#2
Rick Bailey Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 502 Likes: 5 Liked 10 Times in 7 Posts	Re: How safe are you at night in the pits! Wade, Good post and I all for the special idenifacation of those folks that are trained in medical or other safey talents. When people are pitted the fire risk is at one level............but the one thing that has always made me nervous was the stacking at national events. I say Joliet is probly the safest, but the US Nats has to be the most dangerous. Just one fire in the middle of the 10 rows of rigs. ????? total loss of..... And what about a medical emergency.............a cell phone call from a person in their MH and what do you tell the 911 folks. ? I'm rig # 225, or the 32nd rig in the 6th row but the purple trailer........... No! I don't know the correct senario but what Wade is sugesting in spot on ! Thanks Wade. Rick Bailey __________________ Rick Bailey 3439 SC

02-14-2010, 01:15 PM	#4
larry dowty Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: chewelah wa Posts: 283 Likes: 0 Liked 11 Times in 4 Posts	Re: How safe are you at night in the pits! something that always scared me is locking the gate after dark, with medical condition myself i always tell my neighbor what is up with me. __________________ larry dowty 6388 SS

02-14-2010, 01:48 PM	#5
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: How safe are you at night in the pits! Another thing is medical alerts.I'm guilty of not wearing a med alert.Used to wear a bracelet when I raced with a penicillen allergy warning.I will now,after reading this thread pick one up. I would imagine someone is at the gates,locked or not at nationals.Correct me if I'm wrong.Maybe the SRAC guys can push for some safety considerations for overnight med security with the tracks.If so don't be surprised if they tack on an entry surcharge though. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA Last edited by Ed Fernandez; 02-14-2010 at 09:16 PM.

02-14-2010, 03:14 PM	#6
art leong VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Richmond Hill, Georgia Posts: 2,003 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: How safe are you at night in the pits! I was concerned about being locked in at a track last year. But after some inquiring I found out that the lock on the gate was a combination lock that police and fire had the combination to. I believe most emergency services are prepared for incidents at a public venue. When I worked for the Staten Island Ferry every 6 months or so the local fire department would come down to familiarize the newer guys with the below decks spaces. And coordinate the "what ifs". As in if there was an engine room fire they learned not to do anything till they talked to both the master and the chief engineer. If we had a bad below decks fire. We would simply shut the ventilation off and pull the CO2 system flooding the spaces with CO2 and removing the oxygen. You don't need a bunch of firemen. down there, if their Scottpack failed they would never make it out. No mater how good they were at eating smoke. __________________ Art Leong 2095 SS

02-15-2010, 01:10 PM	#7
dragracer9911 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 75 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: How safe are you at night in the pits! Please respect what Wade is saying. I have known him for 30 years. He is an accomplished fabricator, an avid drag racer at both the national level as well as the local scene, and is now a retired firefighter from one of the nation's busyest county's. He has vast Haz-Mat experince. He knows of what he is talking about. In addition to what Wade was saying, when was the last time you saw a race car trailer with the Haz-Mat placard or a helmet with your blood type. There are a lot of things that we can each do to help ourselves. Most of us take things for granted, including myself. I used to always ride around what ever track that I was at just to see where everything was(mostly the snack bar and restrooms), but really to see the shut down area, ambalance, firetruck if any, etc.. Again, now I probably take it for granted.

02-17-2010, 11:11 PM	#8
Jody Lang Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 306 Likes: 28 Liked 89 Times in 28 Posts	Re: How safe are you at night in the pits! [QUOTE=art leong;169160]I was concerned about being locked in at a track last year. But after some inquiring I found out that the lock on the gate was a combination lock that police and fire had the combination to. I believe most emergency services are prepared for incidents at a public venue. Art, from personal experience this couldn't be further from the truth.

02-15-2010, 03:00 PM	#9
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 667 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: How safe are you at night in the pits! As a retired 33 year veteran Firefighter/ paramedic I applaud you for starting this thread on pit safety! Many of our fellow racers are or were firefighters, EMT's or Paramedics and carry first aid equipment, I know I do. If you have a medical emergency dial 911 and then seek assistance from your racer buddies who no doubt will now that there is an EMT or Medic a few trailers down from you. Notify one of your sanctioning (NHRA, IHRA etc.) officials who can use their radio and guide the responding agency to your location. Take a basic first aid class yourself, I promise you when (not if) it is time for you to act in an emergency you will be glad you did! Last but not least, DO NOT FREAK OUT! Stay calm. You will only make the situation worse by running around screaming "Oh boy, oh boy!". Have a plan!!!! Be safe. Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

02-15-2010, 03:45 PM	#10
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,421 Likes: 529 Liked 333 Times in 180 Posts	Re: How safe are you at night in the pits! Great post---Also along these lines EVERY racer should have their blood type and if any allergies or if you are diabetic etc on the back of your helmet maybe put it on with a dymo tape or a label maker nothing real big but something so that EMT/ track rescue personell know what to maybe treat/not treat you for. SCCA and motorcycle racing associations do this. We should too. I have it on my helmet!!! comp 387