Ridecamp: [RC] Helmets -- an old post #1, part 2

> >4.     What are the effects of strapping a narrow piece of
"unbreakable"
> nylon
>
> >snuggly (if it isn't snug you aren't wearing it right, and you are
reducing
> >the effectiveness of the helmet as a skull protector) around your
thorax?
> >Nobody knows.
> >
 
Little point of anatomy here...the thorax is another name of the chest.
And yes, strapping a helmet around the thorax would definitely reduce
it's effectiveness. ;-)  Seriously, why would you want something
breakable under your chin that wouldn't hold the helmet on??  And
again...the helmet is to protect the brains not the skull...and I
haven't heard of many problems of a person being choked to death by
their chin strap.
 
> >
> > I can't make a quantitative analysis of the risks associated with
wearing a
> > helmet v. the risks associated with not wearing them. Because the 
> > quantitative data simply don't exist (and never will).  Until it
does;
I'll
> > use my touchy-feely (or even gut instinct) analyses and other people
can
> use
> > theirs.  So don't give me this bullshit about cold, hard facts.  The

> > necessary cold, hard facts relevant to this issue don't exist-but
there
are
> > plenty of examples of situations where the latest "safety
technology"
was
> > found to be flawed and to bring with it as many risks as it was
intended
to
> > mitigate.
 
If you are interested in facts (and touchy-feely won't save your life),
join the AMEA (American Medical Equestrian Association)...you will get
lengthy reports mailed to you that contain volumes of qualitative data
on all aspects of equestrian injuries...with special emphasis on
statistics regarding helmet usage.  I can give you the info to sign up
if you like...the reading's a little dry, but very, very relevant.
 
> >
> > If helmets didn't have any disadvantages, we would wear them all the
time,
> > since sustaining a blow to the head is something that anybody could 
> > experience at any time.  Why don't you wear a helmet to bed?
>
>
> This part is too silly to even comment on!  Check out the AMEA.
>
> >
> > But soldiers in a fox hole wear their helmets to sleep since the 
> > risk profile for head injuries has changed (although in both
instances,
> > these chances are not quantifiable).
 
And I'd say that the risks of head injury from falling on your head onto
a hard surface from about 8' or higher, and often done at speed so add a
little momentum to your impact, would significantly increase your risk
of head injury...I'd say a bit more than lying in bed! ;-)
 
> >
> > p.s. It REALLY gives me the willies to see people who wear their
helmets
> > improperly (i.e. not how they were designed to be worn).  Because
these
> > people take on many of the risks of wearing one, while at the same
time
not
> > reaping the benefits of wearing them.
 
I'd like to know what the risks are of wearing a helmet that fits
correctly and is properly adjusted??  So far I haven't read one!
 
Any other questions I can answer???
 
 Sue
 
 
Sue Brown
Tyee Farm
Marysville, Wa.
suebrown1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
 


Sue Brown
Tyee Farm
Marysville, Wa.
suebrown1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx



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