Helmet Safety – Protecting the Brain at All Ages
Ask any medical specialist what the most important organ in the body is, and they will inevitably try to convince you it is the organ they specialize in. We all have our favorite part of the body, whether it is the heart, the lungs, the stomach, the kidneys…well, you get the idea. And yes, I think the cardiologists have a valid point that the heart is vital to life, however there are artificial hearts and bypass machines that can help keep patients alive while awaiting transplant. In contrast, there are no such mechanisms for the loss of function of the brain.
The brain is resilient and amazing. It controls every other part of the body. There are no brain transplants. The body CAN go on living in cases of brain death, but without intervention from medical sources for nutrition, hydration, and skin care, it does not go on living for long. Therefore, above all else, we must protect the brain from injury.
The body does its best to protect the fragile brain. It is shielded by the skull bones, which are dense and protective. It is also covered in a layer of fluid, which allows the brain to move around without constantly slamming into the skull bones. Unfortunately, these protective measures are not perfect, and if there is enough of a force against the head, such as a fall onto a hard surface, the brain can still be injured. Brain injury occurs due to bruising of the brain itself, bleeding within the brain, or bleeding around the brain.
Use of helmets
The best way to protect the brain from injury is through the use of helmets. A well-fitting helmet works to distribute the force of a collision across the surface of the helmet, rather than having it concentrated on one area of the skull. Helmets should be used in a variety of sports activities that have potential for traumatic injury to the head, including:
- Bicycles
- Skateboards
- Hover boards
- Roller skates/Roller blades
- Scooters
- Ice skating
- Skiing/Snowboarding
- Horseback riding
- ATV/UTV
- Motorcycles (driver and passenger)
- Certain competitive team sports – football, lacrosse, hockey, baseball
A good rule of thumb? If you ride on anything with wheels, you need a helmet.
Helmet Avoidance
In my practice, part of every Well Child Checkup with older children involves asking about them about helmet use. Unfortunately, I often hear negative responses to my questions. These are usually followed up by explanations:
“I am a good rider”
“I am too old to wear one”
“I only ride by my house”
“I never get hurt”
“I don’t have one”
The last example is one I address with the parents in particular – if you are going to buy a bicycle, roller blades, hover board, etc., for your child you MUST buy a helmet along with it. That is your responsibility as a parent. The other reasons for avoiding helmets I address with both patients and their parents. You are NEVER “good enough” to not need a helmet. You are NEVER “too old” to wear a helmet. The distance you ride does not matter. There is always a chance you will get hurt. I point out that professional athletes wear helmets, and they are arguably much better at their sport than children and teens are.
Choosing a helmet for your child
According the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (orthoinfo.aaos.org) a well-fitting helmet should meet three criteria: snug, level, and stable.
- Snug: helmet should be tight enough that it does not slide around on the head.
- Level: helmet should sit directly on the top of the head and cover the forehead. It should not be tilted forwards or backwards.
- Stable: helmet should have a chin strap that fits underneath the chin and keeps the helmet in place.
Be sure to buy helmets that meet standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). There should be a label inside the helmets that have been approved of meeting the safety standards. Additionally, helmets are sport-specific. Do not wear a bicycle helmet to go skiing, for example.
Replace a helmet after a crash, even if it does not appear to be significantly damaged.
Helmet programs
Sometimes the cost of helmets can be a negative factor for families. Check in your local community for discount programs, free helmet programs, and other helmet give-a-ways. There are many organizations with missions to get a helmet on the head of every child that needs one.
Final thoughts
Brain injury from traumatic falls and crashes is dangerous, life threatening, and avoidable through regular use of helmets. Teach your children from an early age that wearing a helmet is not an option, but a rule. Be a good example! Wear a helmet appropriately for your own activities as well. Protect your family and continue to enjoy the wheel-driving sports activities that you all love.
Resources
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/helmet-safety/
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