Guelph introduces bike medics at summer events

Paramedics will use bicycles to reach people who need medical attention at Guelph events and festivals this summer.

Ten paramedics completed medic cyclist training in May and are now certified with the International Police Mountain Bike Association.

As part of the training, the paramedics were taught how to navigate through crowds and obstacles on bicycle to reach patients.

"It's about responding to a medical emergency as quickly as possible, and nothing moves more swiftly through a crowd than a bike," Draper said in a release.

"Our bike medics will be able to get to patients faster through congested areas and are equipped to provide advanced medical care until an ambulance arrives on scene."

Paramedics will carry an airway kit, oxygen, suction, glucometry, a symptom relief kit with medications, first aid kit and an automatic external defibrillator.

There are similar bike medic programs in Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara Region, Essex County and Windsor.