Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Helmets

>> For those of you who are against wearing helmets for safety reasons,
>> I'd  like to hear about the person killed or severely injured because
>> they had a  helmet on. You don't give examples because it doesn't
>> happen.
>
> Carolyn, be careful of statements like saying "It doesn't Happen" sorry
> to be a wet noodle, but I don't like generalized statements. First off,
> have you any data that suggests that it doesn't happen? Secondly, I was
> given my first TWH because the owner was killed in a riding accident
> from head injuries and she was wearing a helmet. Freak happening?
> Perhaps. Or her time was up. But this happened in Ashland, Oregon a few
> years ago.

Helmets can't save EVERY life that has a head-related accident.  That is
NOT the same thing as inferring that the helmet CAUSED the death.  I don't
like generalized statements either, but stating that someone died of a
head injury and was wearing a helmet does not address Carolyn's question
asking for data relating to helmets CAUSING the deaths or injuries.
I've talked to the ER docs in Bend, Oregon, who deal with the climbers who
fall off of Smith Rocks.  They see scads of head injuries, and yes, some
accidents are so severe that the helmet does not save the life.  However,
one ER doc told me that he has YET to see a skull fracture come out of a
helmet.  Pretty impressive, considering the number of climber accidents
that they see.  Most of the deaths that I've heard of with
helmet-protected heads have been from brain stem injuries--which another
poster already mentioned here.  The rest have been from broken necks--and
ditto as to how to protect against them.  It's darn near impossible to
protect EVERYTHING in your head without encasing you so completely that
you can't move--which really isn't an option, either.  On the other hand,
I've personally packed several riders off to the ER and have sent their
helmets with them--and have had the ER docs tell me that they would have
either been fatalities or vegetables, judging by the area of impact and
the degree of damage to the helmet, had they not had the helmets on.  NO
piece of equipment can save 'em all--but again, that's a far cry from
stating that it is the equipment itself that causes the problem.
Heidi



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