Helmets, to wear them or not to wear them, that is the question.
Sure most helmets look unfashionable, and in the day and age where you are known as much for your skill as for your style, why would you want to risk it? But then again, why would you not?
Each year there are an estimated 4000 ski related concussions in the US. In Colorado, approximately 10 people die each year from skiing or snowboarding, 70% of them are from head injury, none of who were wearing helmets. The Colorado Neurological Institute, over 400 skiers/snowboarders have been admitted to their Level 1 Trauma Unit with head injuries, only 5 have been wearing helmets.
So sure, these are numbers, people hear them all the time. But these numbers are important. Over time, as one experiences more concussions, they become more susceptible to them. Often, symptoms are more uncomfortable then a headache or loss or consciousness and can range from dizziness, nausea, light sensitivity, loss of coordination, the inability of concentrate, and memory loss. If serious enough, CAT scans or MRIs may be needed to look for any damage that may have materialized in the brain. Neither of these is pleasant, as both require entering a small tunnel in a hospital gown and a brain MRI usually involving an IV.
It should be known though that helmets do not last forever. With each impact the foam on the interior cracks, and with more cracks the helmets integrity fades. Heavier impacts also mean larger cracks. Hats worn under helmets can also cause it to be useless.
Sure helmets can look passé, but with some companies getting their head in gear, no pun intended, it is now easy to look stylish and save your head at the same time. Many are even incorporating headphones into the ear pieces so that you don’t have to leave your iPod behind in the car. Check out companies such as Giro, Leedom, Pro-Tec Ace, Boeri, or RED for ideas.
This past season I was diagnosed with four concussions and with a hypothesized fifth one in the mix. Such concussions left me sidelined on powder days, blue-b mornings, and on some all around great turns. Concussions can be avoided and nothing should come between you and a great ski day. Besides, college educations are expensive, don’t waste the investment.
Statistics provided by www.thecni.org
Contributed by Josh Madsen