Medical & Mechanical Weekend Training Course
When you’re deep in the backcountry, self-reliance isn’t optional. This immersive two-day experience teaches you how to handle both medical and mechanical emergencies — the skills every off-road rider hopes they’ll never need, but will be thankful to have when adversity emerges.
By the end of the weekend, you’ll ride away with:
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Confidence to respond to medical emergencies
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Practical repair skills for the trail
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A calm, methodical mindset when things go wrong
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New friendships with riders who share your passion for adventure
What’s Included?
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All first aid and mechanic training materials
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Hands-on guidance from certified instructors
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Handouts and checklists for field reference
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Drinks, snacks, lunch, and optional certificate of completion
For those interested in attending just one of the daily training sessions, we’re offering a single-day rate of $300. Please use the contact form to request this special arrangement.
If you’d like to reserve a cabin before or during the event, we’d be happy to help. Cabins are available, and you can reach out using the contact form below to check dates and options.
Two Classes are Currently Scheduled:
January 17-18, 2026
March 21-22, 2026
More classes coming in May…dates to be announced!
The Austin Moto ADVentures Medical & Mechanical Training weekend consists of approximately 16 hours of hands-on, immersive, interactive learning that covers a wide range of medical and mechanical situations you may encounter while riding solo or with a group in the backcountry. These are incredibly important skills that apply not only to you and your group of riders, but those you may encounter along the way. We spend all day on Saturday and Sunday covering these topics. Saturday focuses on the medical component and Sunday will concentrate on mechanical issues related to motorcycles.
Saturday
Goal: Provide foundational knowledge and skills to assess, stabilize, and manage medical emergencies until professional help arrives.
- Topics:
- Welcome, course objectives, and importance of basic medical skills in adventure settings.
- Overview of the “Primary Survey” (ABCDE: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure) as a guiding framework.
- Legal considerations (e.g., Good Samaritan laws, consent basics).
- Activities: Instructor-led discussion, brief Q&A
Bleeding Control and Wound Management
- Topics:
- Types of bleeding (external: minor cuts, severe arterial bleeds).
- Direct pressure, wound packing, and tourniquet use.
- Basic wound cleaning and bandaging.
- Activities:
- Demonstration: Applying pressure, using a tourniquet (commercial or improvised).
- Hands-on practice: Participants pair up to practice bandaging and tourniquet application on mock wounds.
Fractures, Sprains, and Immobilization
- Topics:
- Recognizing fractures vs. sprains.
- Basic splinting techniques (e.g., using sticks, clothing, or SAM splints).
- Importance of reducing movement and pain management (non-medicated approaches).
- Activities:
- Demonstration: Splinting an arm or leg.
- Hands-on practice: Participants create splints using provided materials.
Environmental Emergencies
- Topics:
- Heat exhaustion/heat stroke: Signs, cooling methods.
- Hypothermia: Signs, warming techniques (e.g., blankets, body heat).
- Dehydration: Prevention and recognition.
- Activities:
- Case studies: Discuss real-world scenarios (e.g., rider collapses in heat).
- Practice: Wrapping a “hypothermic” volunteer in blankets.
CPR and Choking Basics
- Topics:
- Hands-only CPR (chest compressions for adults).
- Recognizing cardiac arrest.
- Heimlich maneuver for choking (basic overview).
- Activities:
- Demonstration: CPR on a manikin, Heimlich technique.
- Hands-on practice: Participants perform CPR and simulate Heimlich (safely, on manikins or with guidance).
Head Injuries and Shock
- Topics:
- Recognizing concussions and severe head trauma (e.g., confusion, vomiting).
- What is shock? Signs (e.g., pale, clammy skin) and basic management (e.g., elevate legs, keep warm).
- When to suspect spinal injury and how to minimize movement.
- Activities:
- Role-play: Assess a “patient” with a mock head injury or shock.
- Discussion: Decision-making (e.g., when to call for help).
Scenario-Based Practice and Wrap-Up
- Topics:
- Putting it all together: Full emergency response simulation.
- Review key takeaways and resources for further learning.
- Q&A and certificate distribution (optional).
- Activities:
- Group scenario: e.g., “A rider crashes, is bleeding, and disoriented.” Participants work in teams to assess and treat.
- Debrief: Discuss what went well and areas for improvement.
Sunday
Goal: Equip riders with foundational mechanical skills for basic maintenance and trailside repairs in adventure settings.
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Introduction and Motorcycle Overview
- Topics:
- Welcome, course objectives, and safety briefing (e.g., gloves, eye protection).
- Key mechanical differences between BMW R1250GS (boxer engine, shaft drive), Harley-Davidson Pan America (V-twin, chain drive), and other various adventure motorcycles.
- Tools overview: What’s in a basic kit vs. adventure-specific additions.
- Activities: Instructor-led discussion, brief Q&A.
Basic Service – Oil Check, Tire Inspection, and Pre-Trip Safety Check
- Topics:
- Checking and topping off engine oil (BMW: boxer engine dipstick; HD: V-twin dipstick).
- Tire pressure and tread inspection (BMW TPMS vs. HD manual check).
- Importance of pre-ride checks for adventure riding.
- Activities:
- Demonstration: Oil check on both bikes, tire pressure reading.
- Hands-on practice: Participants check oil and tires on demo bikes.
Flat Tire Repair – Tubes and Tubeless
- Topics:
- Identifying tire types (BMW: often tubeless; HD: tubeless on cast/spoke wheels, tubes on optional spoked).
- Fixing a flat: Patch kits for tubes, plug kits for tubeless.
- Removing/reinstalling a wheel (BMW front wheel vs. HD rear chain drive).
- Activities:
- Demonstration: Plugging a tubeless tire, patching a tube.
- Hands-on practice: Participants plug a pre-punctured tire and remove/reinstall a wheel.
Broken Levers – Replacement and Improvisation
- Topics:
- Common causes of lever damage (e.g., drops on trails).
- Replacing clutch/brake levers (BMW: adjustable levers; HD: standard levers).
- Improvised fixes: Using zip ties or tape for temporary function.
- Activities:
- Demonstration: Removing and replacing a broken lever on both bikes.
- Hands-on practice: Participants replace a lever and rig a temporary fix.
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM: Broken Shifters & Rear Brake Pedals – Repair and Workarounds
- Topics:
- Diagnosing shifter and brake pedal issues (BMW: foot peg linkage; HD: similar linkage).
- Replacing or tightening a shifter or brake pedal (tools and torque specs).
- Temporary fix: Adjusting linkage or using a vice grip as a shifter. Improvisation techniques with broken brake pedal.
- Activities:
- Demonstration: Replacing a shifter and improvising with tools on hand or what nature may provide.
- Hands-on practice: Participants adjust or replace a shifter, rig a workaround.
Chain and Shaft Drive Basics
- Topics:
- BMW R1250GS: Inspecting shaft drive (visual check, no adjustment needed).
- HD Pan America: Chain cleaning, lubrication, and tension adjustment.
- Troubleshooting chain issues (e.g., loose chain, broken link).
- Activities:
- Demonstration: Chain tension adjustment on HD, shaft inspection on BMW.
- Hands-on practice: Participants adjust chain tension and inspect shaft drive.
Other Common Backcountry Repairs
- Topics:
- Broken kickstand switch/sensor, broken windscreen,
Scenario-Based Practice and Wrap-Up
- Topics:
- Full repair simulation: e.g., “You’ve crashed on a trail—fix a flat tire and broken lever.”
- Review key skills, tools to carry, and resources (e.g., owner’s manual).
- Q&A and certificate distribution (optional).
- Activities:
- Group scenario: Participants work in teams to diagnose and fix a mock breakdown.
- Debrief: Discuss successes and challenges.
Book a Cabin...You Won't Regret It! Call Rob Glass for info 512-402-6763.
When you have been training hard on your bike all day, the last thing you want to do is drive to a motel. Luckily we have a private cabin with a comfortable queen bed, air conditioning, and your own private restroom/shower. Get cleaned up, go to town for dinner, and then come back to relax by the fire pit. You'll sleep well and be ready for the journey home tomorrow.
The cabins are amazing
- Queen-sized platform bed with high-end memory foam mattress
- Private bathroom and shower
- Sturdy wall mounts to hang helmet, jacket, pants and other heavy gear. Nearby outlets are positioned to allow charging of helmet comms.
- Individually controlled climate system
- Mini fridge and bedside table with multiple outlets for charging your devices
- Keurig coffee maker for your first cup of coffee in the morning
