Skiers and Riders Who Wear Helmets Still Die

[Lostone]

Skiers and Riders Who Wear Helmets Still Die

Everyone dies. Nobody gets out of here alive.

Wearing a helmet might decrease the time you spend alive, as a vegetable. Worth the price.

 

[Method9455]

I thought the following article from Maine was an interesting read. I don't want to start a long helmet thread but for you pro helmet fans that think Helmets are the ultimate in safety precautions making you and your children invincible, you may want to think again. Yes I agree helmets should be worn. But the value of wearing a helmet is not near as important as other safety precautions like taking ski or ride lessons and being in control at all times. IMHO of course.

Whenever an unfortunate death on the slopes occurs the first question is was a helmet worn. Much later you may hear questions like was everyone involved in the accident skiing/riding in control and did they take appropriate lessons recently.

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/sports/stories/4681986.html

Quote from article:

"Don't wear a helmet" -- ? That's not at all what I'm saying.

What I'm saying is: Before you plunk down $100 for a helmet, know what you're getting. They provide a scoche head-injury insurance -- not a lot. They may present whiplash risks, especially for children. And they're a pain for rescuers to deal with if you do wipe out.

Put another way, skiers who wear helmets still die in mountain accidents. And so do people who don't.

How's this: Instead of the helmet, make a better investment, for the same price, in an advanced ski school lesson.

I have to disagree with you strongly. As far as I can tell, you are saying helmets give people a false sense of security and people would be better off taking a lesson and taking fewer risks. While everyone would be better off doing that, there are some things that ONLY a helmet can protect you from, things entirely out of your control. Ski injuries are not all self inflicted, you could be the best skier in the world on the easiest trail in the world, and still get hurt by someone else.

First off, I've been wearing a helmet every single time I go out on skis or a board for about the last 10 years, about 30 days a year. In that time I've still had 4-5 concussions. I've been through 5 helmets for one reason or another, so I've sunk $500 into the exercise, and I feel it has been entirely worth it. Helmets reduce concussions a bit, but not much. I also know that a poor fitting helmet is as bad or worse than no helmet, so this is assuming it fits right.

Lets talk about the 2 times I REALLY needed a helmet.

1) Was doing a frontside boardslide (the one where you are going down a rail backwards) and caught my edge, fell backwards and hit my head on the rail, got knocked out, broke the helmet, no major injury though. If that had been my head, man that would have been fine.

2) Fine you say, of course if you are in the park you need a helmet. But the other time a helmet saved my life I wasn't even moving. I was standing on the side of a trail out of the way, and an out of control skier had a yardsale. One ski came flying off and hit me in the back of the head, knocking me to the ground and causing a 1/4" x 3" dent in the helmet. The edge of the ski destroyed the helmet, I had a bit of whip lash, but I was ok. How many stiches would I have needed without a helmet? Would I even be alive?

No amount of lessons or prudence will ever protect you in case 2. (Forget that $100 worth of lessons is what, 2 hours? What can you learn in 2 hours?) I can handle any trail/glades inbounds on the east coast, and the most damage ever done to my helmet was standing on the side of a blue in NJ. I know my limits and I don't push against them too hard, but this idiot didn't know his, pushed, and almost killed me. Sure a helmet won't stop everyone from getting killed but it certainly saves some people, and thats better than no people. Anyone who has ever asked me "Should I get a helmet" I have answered unequivocally "Yes" and told that story, and every one of them has bought a helmet. I will continue to do so, because shit happens, and I prefer it didn't happen to my head.

 

[f1kartracer]

well said method

 

[deadheadskier]

There is zero valid arguements that can be made against wearing a helmet and that's coming from someone who doesn't wear one. I know I have no excuse other than laziness in purchasing one.

 

[campgottagopee]

There is zero valid arguements that can be made against wearing a helmet and that's coming from someone who doesn't wear one. I know I have no excuse other than laziness in purchasing one.

Agree. i don't wear a helmet either, stupid I know but that's just how I roll.

 

[millerm277]

There is zero valid arguements that can be made against wearing a helmet and that's coming from someone who doesn't wear one. I know I have no excuse other than laziness in purchasing one.

There are a few arguments, but none of them are really enough to make it not worth wearing a helmet. Although, depending on your usual form of skiing, it may be more or less useful to wear one. (Ex. If you ski at 40mph on steep groomers, there's nothing that's going to save you if you hit a tree.)

I personally do not wear one. If I were skiing in crowded places more often, I would be more likely to consider it.

 

[ckofer]

I was particularly inspired to wear a helmet after seeing how a relatively short fall from a ladder changed the life of a painter friend. His head injuries left him unable to work again. So if a helmet can suck up some of the force of a crash better than a knit cap, it's probably worth wearing. I you don't do it for your own sake, do it for those who count on you or would have to take care of you.

 

[ckofer]

Next thing you know football players that wear helmets still die.

 

[snoseek]

Good god, not another helmet thread!

 

[win]

A few years ago, I never wore a helmet except when I occasionally wore one for a NASTAR race. In the finals at Park City I hooked a gate on my second run and had an incredible fall. My leg hurt like Hell and I thought I had torn an ACL or worse, but after a few moments when the feeling returned, I got up put my skis back on and started skiing down the outside of the course with any hope of a medal gone. On the way down a patroller said to me, "what happened to your helmet?" I had no idea what she was talking about so I took it off and discovered that the plastic was shattered. At the bottom, my son who had no idea that it was I who had crashed said that my ski vaulted into the air and hit my helmet. I guess the pain from the leg was so bad I never felt the ski hit my helmet. Imagine what would have happended had I not had a helmet on. Now I wear a helmet most of the time. There is no downside, and it is also a good example for young children who most definitely should wear a helmet. Also anyone who skis or rides in the trees and does not wear a helmet is asking for trouble. Speed kills and helmets will not prevent all serious injuries or deaths, but wearing a helmet is the smart thing to do. I know from experience!

 

[riverc0il]

There is no downside, and it is also a good example for young children who most definitely should wear a helmet. Also anyone who skis or rides in the trees and does not wear a helmet is asking for trouble. Speed kills and helmets will not prevent all serious injuries or deaths, but wearing a helmet is the smart thing to do. I know from experience!

Well said!!!

How's this: Instead of the helmet, make a better investment, for the same price, in an advanced ski school lesson.

There is not much logic to this statement, IMO. One or two private ski lessons (price of an average helmet) will make a difference in your technique but will not make you such a better skier that you are immune from injury. Perhaps it will even instill false confidence due to increased ability level and lead to pushing boundaries that may increase risk of injury and perhaps a head injury during a fall because someone was pushing their new limits. All that is irrelevant as helmets help protect all skiers and riders of all ability levels from low speed head impacts. Yes, skiers who wear helmets still die. But advocating someone purchase lessons instead of buying a helmet? How about in addition to, and now you are talking.

 

[catskills]

2) Fine you say, of course if you are in the park you need a helmet. But the other time a helmet saved my life I wasn't even moving. I was standing on the side of a trail out of the way, and an out of control skier had a yardsale. One ski came flying off and hit me in the back of the head, knocking me to the ground and causing a 1/4" x 3" dent in the helmet. The edge of the ski destroyed the helmet, I had a bit of whip lash, but I was ok. How many stiches would I have needed without a helmet? Would I even be alive?

No amount of lessons or prudence will ever protect you in case 2. (Forget that $100 worth of lessons is what, 2 hours? What can you learn in 2 hours?) I can handle any...........

Method9455, using your example, what if instead of the ski hitting you in the back of the head, the ski hit you in the neck under your chin and cut your carotid artery. You would have bleed out in seconds and that helmet would not have saved you one bit. What if the guy who fell and lost his skis took more lessons and never fell in the first place. Maybe more lessons and more emphasis on being in control would have a more positive outcome on overall ski industry safety.

It would seem that most people here believe that everyone wearing a helmet in a car should be mandatory but car driving lessons are optional. :blink:

 

[deadheadskier]

Method9455, using your example, what if instead of the ski hitting you in the back of the head, the ski hit you in the neck under your chin and cut your carotid artery. You would have bleed out in seconds and that helmet would not have saved you one bit. What if the guy who fell and lost his skis took more lessons and never fell in the first place. Maybe more lessons and more emphasis on being in control would have a more positive outcome on overall ski industry safety.

It would seem that most people here believe that everyone wearing a helmet in a car should be mandatory but car driving lessons are optional. :blink:

you can't be serious

your arms must be extremely long

 

[wintersyndrome]

Basic accident/hazard prevention techniques allow you to control certain risks in an effort to reduce hazards and accidents.

You wear a helmet to reduce the risk, and learn proper techniques, learn to ski in control to avoid the risk.

We can't be responsible for others abilities to ski in control or who are ambivalent to the Skiers Code which introduces moral and morale hazards to the equation.

That being said will reduction or avoidance techniques prevent all risks, hazards and accidents?

No, but they do help in minimizing the loss from these hazards.

 

[billski]

Helmets are real handy when woods skiing and you have to duck some formidable scrub at speed but don't have the clearance. I use it the way the slalom racers use the pads and shields. Besides, there ain't no brains in there to protect. But it does make a handy earphone holder Sorry for making light of a serious subject.

p.s., I started wearing one 14 years ago when I insisted my kids did.

 

[ckofer]

Method9455, using your example, what if instead of the ski hitting you in the back of the head, the ski hit you in the neck under your chin and cut your carotid artery. You would have bleed out in seconds and that helmet would not have saved you one bit. What if the guy who fell and lost his skis took more lessons and never fell in the first place. Maybe more lessons and more emphasis on being in control would have a more positive outcome on overall ski industry safety.

It would seem that most people here believe that everyone wearing a helmet in a car should be mandatory but car driving lessons are optional. :blink:

Took more lessons and never fell? Now you're just being a troll. I shouldn't even perpetuate this thread.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

There are many "points" that the author attempts to make that I disagree with. I'm going to reach and try and find some way to give him the benefit of the doubt. The fact is, the singular act of wearing a helmet does not make you "safe". (No $#!+, Sherlock) How you ski, where you stop, how well you ski and many other factors effect your safety. My helmet is not my first line of defense. It's my last line of defense . A helmet will offer some additional protection, why not get that extra measure of protection?

Listening to this "patroller" whine about the difficulties helmets cause for rescuers just about made me ill. Sure. It's one more step that has to be taken (Yes, helmets on smaller children can make spinal alignment tough on smaller kids. It's your job there, Rescue Ranger. Figure it out and deal with it, or find something else to do.) Turttlenecks interfer with C-collars, should we ban them?

Airbags (especially Side Impact bags), pose a very significant hazard to rescue crews at Motor Vehicle Collisions. Do you hear any clamoring to ban them? No. Do they save everyone? No. Does that make them evil? No.

Again, I'll give the benefit of the doubt and say that perhaps this gentleman had a point. That being said, it was generally lost in his self-serving attitude.

 

[Marc]

Actually, medic, I find that turtlenecks are a benefit to me. One more thing I get to use my penny cutters on.

That is a pretty asinine argument though... helmet makes c-spine immobilization tougher? Yes it does. Impossible? No. If EMT's all over the country can successfully remove full face helmets from motorcycle accident victims every day without comprimising the alignment of the c-spine, mayhaps our ranger here needs to go review a bit of his Brady book. Moron.

Other than that, I have nothing more to contribute to this thread. I honestly couldn't care less if you wear a helmet or not.... except if I'm skiing or climbing with you in the back country and you not wearing a helmet actually poses a risk to me if you become incapacitated and I am required to perform a rescue.

 

[dmc]

it is indeed a true statement...

I know a couple people that died wearing helmets... they were good skiers too..

 

[Marc]

True, dmc. But also painfully obvious.


I'm going to start a new thread with the title- "the sun will still rise in the East tomorrow."