How to prevent suffocating to death on (e)mtb?

salko

salko

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The bugs are just insane this year — on almost every ride I end up with one or more flying straight into my mouth or throat, and then I’m gagging like a cat with a hairball ... What’s really starting to worry me though is that a bigger stinging insect might fly in and sting me on the tongue or in the throat, and I could actually choke to death. I don’t think I’m allergic, but people say allergies can develop at any point in life... Is there something (like an EpiPen?) I could carry with me just in case that ever happens, especially if I’m out alone in the wilderness?
 
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I am alergic against bees and wasps. My reaction unfolds within some hours, so usually i would have time to find a medic.. Other than that, i developed an instant cough reflex if something only remotely hits my mouth and yes there where wasps amongst those hitters. I run 16 km every day.. so far, so good... I am 47 btw.
 
I don't know about swallowing them, but I once had a wasp fly into my shirt and sting me on the nip.
There's no avoiding that and it hurt like a bastard!
Thankfully my bee allergy did not extend to the wasp sting!
 
HandsomeDanNZ said:
I don't know about swallowing them, but I once had a wasp fly into my shirt and sting me on the nip.
There's no avoiding that and it hurt like a bastard!
Thankfully my bee allergy did not extend to the wasp sting!
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I had a bee fly into my mouth, and I was able to bite down on it before it stung me. Tasted like honey!
 
salko said:
The bugs are just insane this year — on almost every ride I end up with one or more flying straight into my mouth or throat, and then I’m gagging like a cat with a hairball ... What’s really starting to worry me though is that a bigger stinging insect might fly in and sting me on the tongue or in the throat, and I could actually choke to death. I don’t think I’m allergic, but people say allergies can develop at any point in life... Is there something (like an EpiPen?) I could carry with me just in case that ever happens, especially if I’m out alone in the wilderness?
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I keep a moqsuito net in my bag at all times.
 
salko said:
This would also prevent me from breathing in hot summer days...
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I think they're held up above the nose, but are basically just dangling in front of your face. I think you'd have minimal breathing obstruction. Could probably get a very light weave fabric one too.
 
salko said:
The bugs are just insane this year — on almost every ride I end up with one or more flying straight into my mouth or throat, and then I’m gagging like a cat with a hairball ... What’s really starting to worry me though is that a bigger stinging insect might fly in and sting me on the tongue or in the throat, and I could actually choke to death. I don’t think I’m allergic, but people say allergies can develop at any point in life... Is there something (like an EpiPen?) I could carry with me just in case that ever happens, especially if I’m out alone in the wilderness?
Click to expand...
I think you are correct about allergies becoming an issue at any time in life. But you may be more at risk from a broken bone and a major bleed out than the insects.
 
dave_uk said:
I think you are correct about allergies becoming an issue at any time in life. But you may be more at risk from a broken bone and a major bleed out than the insects.
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Riding with my son one time and bee got in his helmet on DH, stung his ear which blew up nearly double in size… Benadryl to the rescue!
 
Had a bee fly into my mouth one day, but when I spat it out I felt something stuck on top of my tongue. Fortunately I was close to home, so rode home with my tongue hanging out (looking like an idiot) and then using tweezers, managed to extract the sting from my tongue without squeezing the venom sac. I waited 10 minutes to check I had no reaction, then went back out on my ride. I guess the use of a mask depends on your riding environment.
 
nowayfra said:
I am alergic against bees and wasps. My reaction unfolds within some hours, so usually i would have time to find a medic.. Other than that, i developed an instant cough reflex if something only remotely hits my mouth and yes there where wasps amongst those hitters. I run 16 km every day.. so far, so good... I am 47 btw.
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You should be carrying Benedryl with you, the antihistamine acts to quell allergic reaction, I also carry it when walking our curious dog in back-country because he has an allergic reaction to stings.
 
Posted a few months back, bloody big fly's swarming here in the UK due to the dry and hot weather hitting me in the back of the throat /, not pleasant when gagging.
 
salko said:
The bugs are just insane this year — on almost every ride I end up with one or more flying straight into my mouth or throat, and then I’m gagging like a cat with a hairball ... What’s really starting to worry me though is that a bigger stinging insect might fly in and sting me on the tongue or in the throat, and I could actually choke to death. I don’t think I’m allergic, but people say allergies can develop at any point in life... Is there something (like an EpiPen?) I could carry with me just in case that ever happens, especially if I’m out alone in the wilderness?
Click to expand...
What about when wasps get trpped with in the folds of one's helmet? That's what scares me!
 
i ride bikes since 2002 and i never had an insect trapped in my helmet, they usually find their way out again. you guys are afraid of nothing
 
I carry bug nets in each of my packs. (3). Sometimes during trail work or simply stopping for some trail maintenance.

Mosquitoes don’t bother me. Black flies bite a little. Wasps stay close to the hive. Hornets will chase you down and sting vigorously. No-see-ems can be a bother …but it’s those friggen horseflies. They can be huge.

They quietly land on your skin or thin clothing and take a chunk out of you. If you’re able to swat one off, they get back up and attack again. Within moments you become the main course. When the weather or location is just right …it’s hell.
So we are usually motivated to keep riding fast during bug season.

Such an inspiration those little creatures. 😉
 
salko said:
The bugs are just insane this year — on almost every ride I end up with one or more flying straight into my mouth or throat, and then I’m gagging like a cat with a hairball ... What’s really starting to worry me though is that a bigger stinging insect might fly in and sting me on the tongue or in the throat, and I could actually choke to death. I don’t think I’m allergic, but people say allergies can develop at any point in life... Is there something (like an EpiPen?) I could carry with me just in case that ever happens, especially if I’m out alone in the wilderness?
Click to expand...
Epi-pens require a doctors script, and will only work on certain reactions. What I can suggest is riding with your mouth shut, wear a mask, or try a full face helmet. Though I would not worry too much about big bugs but more about the smaller ones like gnats. I've had my far share of mouthfuls of gnats. Yuck!
 
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