Think With Your Helmet… a head injury prevention campaign
All year round, more people than ever are participating in sports and recreational activities – and that of course is a good thing! However, the number of head injuries is also rising. Helmets worn correctly can provide adequate protection and help bring down those numbers.
If you’re doing any kind of sport involving sliding or wheels – skiing, snowboarding, skating, cycling, skateboarding, etc. – it’s strongly recommended that you wear a helmet. The Montreal General Hospital’s Trauma Program puts so much importance on this practice that we’ve published a pamphlet on the subject
Click here to access the pamphlet.
Wearing a helmet shows you’re smart!
A 2006 study[1] revealed that 83% of people sustaining head injuries on ski hills were not wearing protective helmets and 25% of those injuries were serious. The study also showed that non-wearers of helmets tend to be beginners – those most likely to fall frequently.
The good news is that there are numerous models available on the market today, many at very affordable prices. So think about it: what price do you put on your head and its safety?
Did you know…?
- More than 60% of cyclists treated for trauma at the Montreal General Hospital were not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.
- Head injuries account for 19% of all cases handled by ski patrollers and emergency services.
- Cranial traumas are the principal cause of death among skiers and snowboarders.
The proper use of a helmet would have helped reduce these risks.
[1] Sulheim S, Holme I, Ekeland A and Bahr R. "Helmet Use and Risk of Head Injuries in Alpine Skiers and Snowboarders", JAMA 2006; no 295; pages 919 to 924. Article consulted online at http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/295/8/919 in April 2010.