Wear Your Helmet Stupid!!!!

[Bruno28]

I was just nipping round to see the folks who live about 5 mins away through a residential area with very light traffic. I was leaving the road to enter a cycle path and there is a small bump where the kerb has been lowered. I took it at an awkward angle and it had been raining heavily so the road surface was slippery...kerpow!!!! I fell heavily because I didn't see it coming so wasn't able to do anything to soften the fall.

I Was not travelling fast but I banged my head on the pavement (translation - sidewalk) and now have a small lump on the side of my head the size of....well the size of a small lump, really. I am also developing a rather fetching black eye. Oh yeah, and I've got gravel burn on the palm of my hand which is starting to sting..

I will never, ever get on my bike without wearing my helment. PLease don't do it either. It is avery dumb and stupid thing to do!
Keep safe!

[DeniseGoldberg]

I'm sending many healing wishes your way.

But really, thanks for posting this message. I just cringe when I see people on bicycles without helmets. A part of me wants to stop and talk to each one, but a part of me wonders about reactions of (possibly) off-balance folks. So I haven't been stopping and recommending helmet use. Maybe I should wear a sign with a picture of myself after my own accident back in 2004. If I hadn't been wearing a helmet, I would not have survived that crash.

--- Denise

[Dogmama]

I've had a few spills where my helmet hit the pavement and I actually saw stars - just like in the old cartoons.

Thanks for posting. We all need a reminder of the basics.

Also - if you take a spill & your helmet bangs against a hard surface, you need to replace it. Even if you don't see damage, there can be internal damage.

And, whilst I'm lecturing - don't leave your helmet in the hot sun, hot cars, etc. The internal material (I'm obviously not a scientist) can begin to deteriorate. Just don't do it.

[Trek420]

...and while we're lecturing your brain bucket every year or at least every other year or when the style changes or your color goes out of fashion or .... because the plastic can deteriorate anyway.

[latelatebloomer]

FYI, that "seeing stars" phenomenon comes from a whack to the occipital lobe at the back of the brain, the part that collects visual info from the eyes and interprets it into actual sight for us.

I'm seeing a huge increase in middle-aged casual riders in our area - ma & pa taking in a mile or two on their old bikes - FANTASTIC! - but almost no one wears a helmet. MADDENING!

I was at a brain injury conference where a police officer got at award. He designed a program - gift certificates from stores, presented to kids found cycling & wearing helmets. He's working to make it a national program. Carrots work better than sticks!

[bikerz]

Wow - Bruno - glad you're OK!

[Bruno28]

Awww....thanks for the good wishes.


The black eye's lookin' good If anyone at work says anything I'll just say 'you should see the other guy!'

[Quillfred]

Just a reminder that potentially serious head injuries can take time to develop--even a few days:

"The signs and symptoms of a concussion include severe headache, dizziness, vomiting, increased size of one pupil or sudden weakness in an arm or leg. The person may seem restless, aggitated or irritable. Often, the person may have memory loss or seem forgetful. These symptoms may last for several hours to weeks, depending on the seriousness of the injury."
(thanks to U of Missouri web site)

And get medical advice immediately.

Quillfred

Glad you're ok

[chickwhorips]

The black eye's lookin' good If anyone at work says anything I'll just say 'you should see the other guy!'

thats my line!

i have a major bruise on my face the a few months ago, not from cycling but from practicing for bear protection for work (you have to shoot a 3 oz slug through a 12 ga shot gun, you wanna talk about kick!) anyhow the gun wasn't right for me so i got swacked i dont know how many times, and me never giving up i was quite sore and a HUGE bruise on my cheek bone that stuck around for weeks. i got some looks in town, it was funny, but no one said a word, expet for those that have done qualification just said, doing bear protection are you?

sersiously glad your ok. quick healing to you.

sidenote: why do you see stars if you stand up to fast and you don't hit your head against anything?

[RoadRaven]

Just want to add my voice to Quillfred's
Concussion can take a couple of days to develop - one of my sons has been concussed twice...
Just be careful and aware whenever any of you bang your noggins...

Glad your head is (relatively) ok, Bruno
Over here its a legal requirement to wear helmets on bicycles and on motor bikes - everywhere
And yes, the traffic-cops will ticket you.

[Bruno28]

The person may seem restless, aggitated or irritable. Often, the person may have memory loss or seem forgetful.

I'm like this all the time - so how will I tell??????

Seriously thanks for the advice.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Bruno, maybe for you the symtoms will be opposite- if you suddenly become calm, pleasant, and your memory improves...get your head examined!!

[Bruno28]

Hey Lisa - ! That really made me laugh.

[Dogmama]

Bruno, maybe for you the symtoms will be opposite- if you suddenly become calm, pleasant, and your memory improves...get your head examined!!

Bruno - if that happens - let me know. I'll fly over & look for that curb...

[CR400]

Why, hope you are ok. I had a bike accident last week that sent me to the ER. I was wearing my helment and that is most likely what kept me from going to the local major trauma center. The helment was destroyed a big chunk of it ended up falling off right over where I hit my head. Some dog ran out at me and took out the front wheel, over I went in a barrel roll. Still have no idea how I got uncliped, but landed a few feet from my bike. So always wear your helment.

To the other ladies thank you I will go back and see the doc for sure I have been dealing on and off with sever dizziness for a few days now. Even though the CT claimed I was fine.

I just want to yell at helment less people. I used to ride without one when I was younger, glad I mended my ways.