Re: Hats

[Chris Paus <paus@micoks.net>]

Interesting discussion in letters to the editor in Feb. Horse & Rider about
helmets vs no helmets and if there should be laws requiring people under 16
to use them when riding.

chris

At 09:30 PM 4/8/98 -0700, S. Brown wrote:
>>
>>Sorry to post this to the net - but it is endurance related I think.
>>Can anyone give me any ideas , names etc of endurance(that is
>>lightweight, cool) hats OTHER Than the Troxel.
>
>I have a Lexington Lidlocker that I love.  My students like it also -- so
>much so that I had to go out and buy a second one!  I also have a Troxel
>and NEVER use that one anymore (except for students) since I like the fit
>of the Lidlocker better.  The Lidlocker is lightweight and has a harness
>adjustment with velcro that really snugs the fit securely on your head.
>It's also a nice reflective white! ;-)
>
>I saw an ad for a sunvisor brim that is supposed to fit most helmets.
>Since I wear glasses and hate switching to prescription sunglasses or
>wearing clip-ons (tho I do if I have to), this sounded like a great
>innovation.  Does anyone know if it will work on the Lidlockers that have a
>velcro band instead of snaps??  To me this sounds like an ideal visor --
>but may not be...I don't know.  Anyone used one?
>
>As an added note here on the subject of helmets...I'm glad to read some
>very positive comments about wearing them.  If you have any doubt about
>what can happen to your brain in a fall, watch the video "Every Time, Every
>Ride".  It doesn't even need to hit anything hard like a rock or a stump.
>The concussion that the brain absorbs going from the speed of falling X the
>distance of the fall is directly related to the SUDDEN STOP!  The soft,
>squishy (like firm jello) gray matter gets slammed against the hard brain
>cage...and that rapid deceleration against the skull not only squishes the
>part that comes into contact with the skull, but also tears blood vessels
>on the OPPOSITE side of the head as the brain pulls *away* from the dura.
>A subdural hematoma is very frequently a life threatening situation where
>MINUTES count!  I've spent about 25 years working in surgery with a
>subspecialty in neurosurgery and open heart.  There are a few surgeries
>that are a real thrash to save the patient -- and an actively bleeding
>subdural hematoma is right up there with a rupturing abdominal aortic
>aneurysm or someone trying to die in the cath lab from a heart attack.  The
>pressure on the brain needs to be relieved before it causes irreparable
>damage -- and even then, the brain is *so* fragile that the outcome of
>normal function is yet to be determined.  If you're out in the woods, miles
>from a hospital, and many long minutes even by helicopter, your chance of
>survival would be dubious in this kind of situation.  Even a mild blow
>could cause a small bleeder that may not be evident for quite a while.
>While a helmet doesn't GAURANTEE that you won't have ANY injury from a bad
>fall, it will certainly lessen the impact significantly and probably save a
>life that can return to normal living.
>
>I'm off my soapbox now.  ;-)  It's kind of interesting that the thought
>that went thru my head as I walked by the mirror on the way to the computer
>was "damn, I wish those helmets didn't cause such a case of "hat hair" --
>had just taken mine off.  I won't get on a horse anymore without one -- so
>my Lidlocker gets a LOT of use...and my selection of baseball caps is
>HUGE!! ;-)
>
>Sue
>
>sbrown@wamedes.com
>Tyee Farm
>Marysville, Wa.
>
>
>