Helmet breaking your neck in a crash...
#11
04-19-2009 | 08:39 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
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From:
I was just wondering after thinking about this volitile subject since reading about it on here a couple of years ago...if the weight of a helmet increases your risk of neck injury in a crash to any significant degree, Why do all motorcycle racing sanctioning bodies require the use of a helmet. I have also noticed that from the X games to moto GP they all experience significant crashes regularly and no one "breaks" their neck except on very rare occasions. I mean I have seen crashes so violent that the riders are knocked unconscious an yet as soon as they regain their wits they jump up and run off the track. Obviously no broken neck if that is possible. Now I would be the last one to try to convince anyone to wear a helmet that does not want to, But using this argument to justify not wearing one seems a little bit of a stretch.
I say do as you wish, but don't try to convince me helmets don't increase my odds in an accident.
#12
04-19-2009 | 09:14 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,427
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From: Belleville Mi.
I am pro choice. I was a fire fighter EMT for a city that borders Detroit for 31 years. I responded to many motorcycle accidents. Never did I see a broken neck. My personal experience, I was involved in 2 motorcycle accidents during my 35 years of riding. I feel the helmet I was wearing saved my life both times.......
Trucky911
Trucky911
#14
04-19-2009 | 09:30 AM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Republic of Texas
I never bought the weight of the helmet breaking necks, but I do think that the helmet gives false assurance. I also think that helmets can save brains when the brain is savable. Anyone can override their safety gears ability to save them. Helmets should be a personal choice not dictated by law or insurance to adults.
#15
04-19-2009 | 09:49 AM
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Milwaukee area
My theory on the neck breaking "myth" is that it stems from very early helmet designs that came down much lower on the back of the head. If the head tilts back too far, the bottom edge of the helmet would push in on the neck. Modern helmets don't come down past the base of the skull, eliminating that leverage point on the neck.
I'm pro-helmet-choice. Personally, I choose to wear one.
I'm pro-helmet-choice. Personally, I choose to wear one.
#16
04-19-2009 | 09:49 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,319
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From: Deep South Texas
I think there are cases that go both ways for and against the helmet. I believe the helmet only helps in low (under 35mph) speed accidents that generate head impact. Let's face it, the human body was not designed to with-stand a blunt force impact at high speeds. In most cases if you come to sudden stop at high speeds your brain is not the only organ that is getting wiped out.
I would prefer to not wear a helmet, but I wear a half helmet to keep my family off my rear. I think of it as a compromise that prevents them from worry every time I leave the house (you know, happy wife, happy life
)
I would prefer to not wear a helmet, but I wear a half helmet to keep my family off my rear. I think of it as a compromise that prevents them from worry every time I leave the house (you know, happy wife, happy life
)
#17
04-19-2009 | 02:32 PM
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 193
Likes: 1
From: texas
I think there are cases that go both ways for and against the helmet. I believe the helmet only helps in low (under 35mph) speed accidents that generate head impact. Let's face it, the human body was not designed to with-stand a blunt force impact at high speeds. In most cases if you come to sudden stop at high speeds your brain is not the only organ that is getting wiped out.
I would prefer to not wear a helmet, but I wear a half helmet to keep my family off my rear. I think of it as a compromise that prevents them from worry every time I leave the house (you know, happy wife, happy life)
I would prefer to not wear a helmet, but I wear a half helmet to keep my family off my rear. I think of it as a compromise that prevents them from worry every time I leave the house (you know, happy wife, happy life
)I think adult riders should be able to decide for themselves whether to wear a helmet or not, but the decision should be based on knowledge and facts, and not some silly myth like ' helmets will break your neck.' Or 'they only work under 35mph.'
It's a dis-service to the novice riders that come here looking for collective wisdom on motorcycling, to present the argument, that they are just as safe not wearing a helmet as they are with one.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
#18
04-19-2009 | 03:17 PM
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 566
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From:
I think there are cases that go both ways for and against the helmet. I believe the helmet only helps in low (under 35mph) speed accidents that generate head impact. Let's face it, the human body was not designed to with-stand a blunt force impact at high speeds. In most cases if you come to sudden stop at high speeds your brain is not the only organ that is getting wiped out.
#19
04-19-2009 | 03:25 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Illinois
The reason that it does not happen on the race track is that there is a wide area to slid out. On a road there are posts, culverts trees etc. You can break your neck with a helmet and survive. Or break you neck and crush your head without one.
% wise you are better off with the helmet. But surviving and being a paraplegic is not to good.
% wise you are better off with the helmet. But surviving and being a paraplegic is not to good.
