Be prepared for an accident

[Profpointy]

Thanks - I will write a letter to the Daily Mail and inform their readers of the sensible course of action!!!

I look forward to their "it's elf-n-safety gorn maad" response

 

[Andy in Germany]

2 of Maz's friends (sisters Sue and Kay) married 'Pro' footballers, both husbands developed 'early onset' Dementia in their early 60's. OK the footballs aren't as heavy as they were in the late 60's-early 70's but now research is showing that repeatedly 'heading' a football is as damaging as boxing.......should footballers wear helmets ?

It would certainly explain a lot about the people I went to school with...

 

[Andy in Germany]

Thanks - I will write a letter to the Daily Mail and inform their readers of the sensible course of action!!!

That's two things I didn't expect to see in the same sentence.

 

[Ian H]

2 of Maz's friends (sisters Sue and Kay) married 'Pro' footballers, both husbands developed 'early onset' Dementia in their early 60's. OK the footballs aren't as heavy as they were in the late 60's-early 70's but now research is showing that repeatedly 'heading' a football is as damaging as boxing.......should footballers wear helmets ?

That depends whether a helmet would reduce concussion. Cycle helmets do not - according to the manufacturers.

 

[All uphill]

There's two things here. The overall numbers of head injury per activity. And the likelihood of a head injury per activity. Cycling doesn't make top of the list in either.

There are more people in hospital with head injuries as a pedestrian. It is less likely than cycling, but there's much larger numbers. Making pedestrians wear helmets will save more lives than making cyclists.

Being drunk is one of the highest likelihoods for head injuries - it carries a greater risk per person. Making people wear a helmet on the way home from the pub will save more lives than making cyclists.

So if you even go drinking or are ever a pedestrian, it makes more sense to wear a helmet than when you are cycling.

I think that misses a significant third factor.

The health benefits of cycling, which, at a population level outweigh the risks .

 

[Ian H]

That depends whether a helmet would reduce concussion. Cycle helmets do not - according to the manufacturers.

Adding a bit as I found this: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...ct-against-concussion-australian-experts-warn

 

[classic33]

Adding a bit as I found this: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...ct-against-concussion-australian-experts-warn

That m was known about at least at the turn of the century. But the research was done for those with a pre-existing condition.
I've lived with both, one as the result of the other.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I think that misses a significant third factor.

The health benefits of cycling, which, at a population level outweigh the risks .

Exactly - the least risky lifestyle is to sit on the sofa all day and only eat convenience foods that can be cooked in the mircowave and are delivered by Tesco

but then you die young of bad diet etc

anything else is risky to some extent

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Seems reasonable.

Rebecca Levene, 34, has also taken precautions. “My mum wants me to go out with a bike helmet when I take the dog for a walk,” she said.

 

[All uphill]

Seems reasonable.

Does the dog produce huge deposits?

I can see a helmet might be a practical way of carrying them home.

 

[Ian H]

Exactly - the least risky lifestyle is to sit on the sofa all day and only eat convenience foods that can be cooked in the mircowave and are delivered by Tesco

but then you die young of bad diet etc

anything else is risky to some extent

Would you not call the possibility of dying young a risk?

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Would you not call the possibility of dying young a risk?

Yes - when I said "risky" - I was referring to "risk of being in a collision or similar"

I thought that was clear but reading it back - maybe not

as usual - what I type is not always the same keys my mind thought I was typing

 

[Profpointy]

Yes - the counterargument to this is that it's very hard for a 6 year old to take out an insurance policy.


Actually they had conversations with top chefs who agreed that long kitchen knives don't need a razor sharp point. I did learn (on no such thing as a fish I think) recently that the development of rounded knives likely came about through a desire to stop people injuring themselves when eating.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2005/may/27/health.politics

On the knives theme, I ground the points off my scuba diving knives. We carry knives to cut any nets or string we get tangled in, rather than fighting off sharks or Bond-villain's henchmen. The worry with a pointed blade is accidently stabbing your rubber dinghy when back on the surface. A pal once managed to stab himself in the leg puncturing his drysuit. he'd strapped the knife to his arm after the scabbard broke and it shifted position

Re. kitchen knives: whilst I concede you don't need a point for slicing, I contend you do need a point for boning, skinning delicate dissecting gristle or fat from meat, or for cutting into packaging and I for one don't want to have to fetch the special pointy knife to reduce the risk of suddenly deciding to murder someone whilst cooking

 

[rydabent]

What a load of poppy cock. All a helmet does is stop a bit of gravel rash on your noggin, and also stop lots of questioned when you are wheeled into A&E with a broken spine, or suspected fractured hip - tried and tested. High vis, lights don't help drivers see you if they aren't looking.

Have you just grabbed that paragraph off google AI ?

My post was not so much about safety, but to protect you from lawyers that wont give you your just due in court.

 

[rydabent]

"The best advice for preparing for an accident is wear a helmet. If a car hits you...."

This is written by someone who has never been hit by a car on a bike, if that's the best advice they can offer. I would suggest, try and prevent the accident to begin with maybe a better idea. Good lights, reflective clothes, high viz and good route selection would come before a helmet in my opinion.

A cycling helmet is often mistaken for a motorcycle helmet. But it will not take the same impact. I have had accidents on both bikes and motorbikes and I think a cycle helmet has little effect if you are in a collision with a car when it comes to impact injury. But from experience I know a bicycle helmet can prevent gravel rash.
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I would rather break bones than have severe gravel rash any day of the week. I have had both.

Why are we discussing helmets? I thought we were grown ups. 😁

Yes. I was wearing a helmet when I was hit head on by the drunk moped rider. 😁

Actually I was hit by a car, and knocked over side ways. I hit my head, but was spared any damage by my helmet. It was a low speed accident.