To Helmet or not to helmet (that's an easy question).

[jim-ratliff]

Gary raised an interesting point, so I thought I would start the helmet rolling.

I wear helmets for biking and for skiing.

1. I took a fall on my bike this summer that knocked me unconscious (or I fainted and then fell, I have no pre-event memory at all).? I completely **** my bike helmet all the way through the foam and the plastic for about 8 inches.? I was out about 15 minutes, and went along with the paramedics recommendation to go to the emergency room.? The head scan was completely negative, no damage at all.? My daughter-in-law, while training for the Marine Corps Marathon, got run over by a biker at 25mph and broke her collarbone.? She also hit her head due to the impact and suffered bruising and bleeding on the brain that was a concern for a while.? Having such an accident is a long shot, having a helmet on "just in case" is as wise as buying car insurance.? No one expects to have a car accident, but we all buy insurance just the same. (no, I am not advocating that runners wear helmets, but the two happened close together and the different results struck me.)? Other than needing to buy a new helmet, I wasn't injured.

2. I can't begin to count the number of times I have been hit in the helmet by other people's skis while walking, while riding shuttles from the parking lot, while walking to the lift from the hotel.

3. I have taken at least one memorable fall while skiing when I slipped on a patch of ice.? Usually I fall on my side, but this time I fell rearward with enough force that I remember my head bouncing.? No aftereffects whatsoever, not even a headache.

4. I use a SmartWool helmet beanie, and the helmet is always warmer than any stocking cap or anything else I have worn, and this is especially true if it is windy.? With newer helmets and the adjustable headbands, it is now very easy to make the helmet slightly larger or tighter based on the thickness of what you want to wear under the helmet, if anything.

5. I can't think of a single disadvantage of wearing a helmet.

[Ron]

Too Funny! This is probably the hottest, most replied to thread over at epic, right behind "why snowboarders suck"!  it all boils down to personal preference. There's no good reason not to wear one but since it doesn't pose a threat to others who do, let the skier/rider beware.

[jbotti]

I agree on the personal preference to some degree on snow. Cycling is a different story. I am on the bike 5-6 days a week and still race a little bit. I am always shocked when I see people cycling witout a helmet. That is just insanity. Concrete and asphalt are hard and in most falls on a bike the head hits the pavement.

Getting back to helmets for snowsports, I think the statistics are pretty clear that you are always better off with a helmet. Still I see many great skiers that will just never wear one (unless racing). Harald Harb is one. Now Harald actually falls about once every 2-3 years so I can undrstand why he sees no need to wear a helmet. Most mortals are better off with one on.

Lastly, now that I have a bluetooth helmet (deeply discounted on sale) and this year I will be able to answer my phone by pressing a button on my ear piece, there is absolutely nothing lsot wearing a helmet!!

[Ron]

Good to hear from you John, thanks for the chuckle. Any days on the snow yet?

[Glenn]

I grew up without em; I started skiing in the late 1980's. In my teens I bought it many times....HARD too. Maybe I was lucky..or maybe it was just the way the wind was blowing. It's just not my preference to wear one. I don't personally associate skiing with a helmet. Could that change? Sure could. I've learned to never say never.

We had a guy come to our office multiple times to do first aid training. He was fulltime EMT and a trainer. On the weekend: **** ski patroller! He was actually AGAINST making helmets mandatory at ski areas. Apparently, when they started making helmets mandatory for kids riding bikes, the rates of injuries went up signifcantly. The kids thought because they had a helmet on, they were less likely to get hurt...so they did more risky things. He and many patrollers were worried that same trend would translate to skiing. That was his train of thought; I found it interesting.

Again, it's a personal choice. I wear my lid when I ride my ATV and I've been wearing my seatbelt since before it became the law. I think these choices should be up to people.

[Svend]

Jim,

After a fall that I took last winter, I am a firm believer in helmets.? I was skiing down a slope with icy patches on a heavily overcast day -- one of those eastern gray days when there is no relief evident in the terrain -- everything flat.? You couldn't see the bumps until you were on top of 'em.? Well I hit a bump that I didn't see, compensated coming off of it OK, but hit a patch of ice on the other side.? So, like your fall, rather than falling sideways, my feet went out from under me forwards, I flew up into the air and landed flat on my back.? Apparently, according to my kids, I caught great air and had lots of hang time (very sympathetic? ).? I hit the back of my head on the ice with enough impact that must have knocked me out for a few seconds, as all I remember of the entire event was opening my eyes and seeing the sky.? No memory of the fall at all, or even going over the bump.? Consequences were limited to a stiff neck and a headache and aching body, but I was able to get up straight away and ski to the lodge for a break, and ski the rest of day again.? I am convinced that had I not been wearing a helmet, it would have been a tow behind the Ski-Doo and a ride in the boo-boo truck for me, with a significant concussion or worse.? Anyone who has ever been ice skating and/or played shinny hockey will know that if you whack your head on the ice without a helmet, you're probably getting carried off on a stretcher.? I'd never ski without one, and you're right, they're warm and comfortable, even at minus 20 deg. and howling wind.

BR,
Svend

[Gary]

I'm guessing that those statistics on accidents are pretty weak....just saying that did accidents on bicycles, BMX, off road riding go up when the athlete started wearing helmets....

AND if you are the best skier in the kingdom and never fall....I was on my first Helli trip in Whistler 2 seasons ago and I was talking with the guide when we unloaded from the copter and he said drop in behind me. Well he took off and I closed the gap and was skiing 2 ski Lengths in heavy snow 8" deep. After about 1000 vertical he decided to stop not knowing I was 2 ski Lengthss behind him making these sweet links to his turns. There was no signal or brake lights, he never turned around to look behind him...he just pulled up and stopped...in 8" of heavy wet snow....he stopped and I skied right over the top of him. Fortunately he was not injured but proceed to say he had been guiding for 18 years and has never been hit or fallen....well there ya go....you Can get whacked from behind, or even standing in line. At least the helmet offers some protection, for sure some warmth....

But hey....I wax my top skins so cleaning up after any disaster is as easy as rinsing them off. 

I hope to keep skiing for many years to come and protecting my noggin just might afford that pleasure...well at least for me, Svend, John, Jim and Ron.....

Not suggesting it should be law..just ...if it just makes sense....but hey....that's for each of us to figure out, why, when and where!

Best,
G

[jim-ratliff]

AND if you are the best skier in the kingdom and never fall....

Best,
G

Gary, I may have missed the point of your post a bit.    Are you saying that since you are the best skier in the kingdom others better wear helmets because you are going to run them over??

Jim

[midwif]

Except for the horrible "helmet hair", I have found helmets to be surprisingly comfortable.
We initially bought helmets for the entire family after hearing of two young deaths in the northeast. Both head injuries.
Now, if tramdock would just have the "bluetooth" enabled helmet for less than $100, then I would be VERY PLEASED.
I could call Ron or Jim and have them type my TR's as they occur!!!!

[Perry]

Anything that helps prevent the mushy brain from coming into hard contact with the skull is generally a good thing!   Having worked 14 years in the ER and seeing the results of brain to skull impact, I can't justify skiing without one. 

As a bald skier, I was worried that my noggin would be cold, Not true!  I have an adjustable vent that works great and when it is really cold, I wear a thin cap as a liner.  AND - I have no problem with helmet hair!!!!!!! Imagine that.

[Philpug]

You won't catch me wearing a helmet....
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Thats because I ski faster than you

[jbotti]

Ron, unfortunately the answer is no. I am headed to Utah for a 2 day trip on Dec 4 and 5, and it appears that Tahoe will get hit around Thanksgiving. If all goes well I could have 5 days in before the Holidays.

I am anxiously waiting or the Argos Review when you finally get them out in the right conditions!!

[Ron]

replies to all:

Glen, you know I love you man' (in an acceptable, manly-way ) but those stats are pure BS. No point in debating them. Every study in the world shows that helmets and skiing/snowboarding save lives and at least reduce the severity of injuries.  If yo don't want a helmet, that's your perogative.

Lynn, helmet hair is cool! The messier the better!  Dont' worry about a blue tooth enabled helmet, It will just make you use the phone too much!

Perry- cool and I hope Glenn notes your post. 

Phil, yup, I can only catch you on big dump days and I am on my Shamans! First and only time!!! 

John, Hope you get out soon and I hope to get on the Argos' in on a  nice 6" plus day to see how they perform, I have high expectations for them. Many are using these as their everyday ski as long as there is soft snow.

[Gary]

Jim..I was referring to skiers in the catagory of Harold who does not wear a helmet....certainly not me.

Perry....maybe Svend would let you borrow his blond Viking hair. (check out the blackmail post)

Lynn.....helmet head is the great hair ugo equalizer.....we all look like we're from the same planet when we remove our helmets.

Phil you speed demon....

Glen...Ron really does love ya in a Fat Tire kind a way....heck we all love ya man...

Best,
Gary

[Svend]

Perry....maybe Svend would let you borrow his blond Viking hair. (check out the blackmail post)

  What? And cut off my long blond tresses?!! No way...it took me years of careful management and styling to get that magnificent mop.  He can go to a wig shop