Last week Actress Natasha Richardson died after falling during a ski lesson in Quebec. A snowboarder in Minnesota died after a fall in March. In late Februrary, Garrison Keillor's brother died after falling on his head while ice skating in Wisconsin.
Experts agree that wearing a helmet for certain recreational activities is always a good idea. Helmets do provide protection but that protection is considerably less once a person exceeds 14 miles per hour. Experts caution that oftentimes complacencyabout one's speed and safety can cause a head injury that a helmet cannot protect.
Michael Berry, president of the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) in Colorado states that sometime both children and adults think they are invulnerable. Mr. Berry says that "the helmet is only part of the issue. Behavior and education about when the helmet can be effective are is the other part".
These recreational accidents reinforce what neurosurgeons have been learning in recent years about cranial injuries. Dr. Steven Haines, head of the University of Minnesota's Department of Neurosurgey says "that experiences have taught him the merit of wearing a helmet". Dr. Haines says that helmets provide protection for two types of injuries. They do a good job in "preventing penetrating injuries and they also absorb a good amount of force before it gets to the brain or spreads to a larger area".
Helmets can provide some protection from the carelessness of others. NSAA studies indicate that 43% of skiers and snowboarder wear helmets. Youth groups and recreational racers are the most likely to be wearing helmets.
Statistics haven't helped the cause for seeking helmet laws. Quebec officials are now considering a new law requiring helmets for skiers. There are no mandates for helmets in the U.S at this time. NSAA estimates that helmet use is increasing by 5% a year but there has been no drop in fatalities. There were 2.07 deaths per million skiers in 2006. The fatality rate for bicycle riders is 24.4 per million.
Twenty-nine states do not have laws requiring helmets for cyclists. Twenty-eight states do not have mandatory motorcycle helmet laws. Perhaps it is time for all skiers, snowboarders, bicycle and motorcyclists to take it upon themselves to buy and wear helmets.
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