Crashed - KEEP YOUR HELMET ON!!!
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 438
Likes: 1
From: Euless, TX
Crashed - KEEP YOUR HELMET ON!!!
This past weekend there was a TMRA rally in the hill country of Texas. We all had a great time riding the “twisted sister roads” (the name says it all). The last day as we left we decided to run the only road we missed, highway 335. About 5 miles into the ride we came upon a bike down and guy laying in the road and his wife laying on the side of the road. His bike was about 100 yards in front of them meaning they were clipping along pretty good I’m guessing. They had hit a small dear and went down hard. When I got to them I realized it was fellow CMA member from a neighboring chapter. I have first responder training and administered what aid I could do. It took about 45 minutes for the first ambulance to arrive and another hour to life flight them to a San Antonio hospital. They all be OK but were messed up pretty good.
Now for the actual purpose of this post; both the down rider and his passenger wife had their helmets off when I got to them. When I asked what happened to their helmets they said they took them off. Up until then I know that everyone, even me, do not always wear a helmet when we ride. I wanted to believe that most motorcycle riders that wear a helmet just knew that when you crash, DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO TAKE YOUR HELMET OFF NOR SHOULD ANYONE REMOVE ANOTHER RIDERS HELMET! I can not emphasis this enough. I have seen too many neck and spinal injuries that are caused by all kinds of accidents, some minor some cause by actions after the crash. Just because you think you are OK does not mean you are. Shock and adrenaline causes your body to sometimes feel like you are not as bad as you actually may be. A helmet should only be removed by a doctor once at the hospital. You could actually cause serious damage to your spine by removing your helmet. I’m not talking about a “minor” crash (if there is such a thing) one without any doubt you do not need medical attention. I’m talking about the crash were you know you are hurt; it is very important to just lay still, do not move and wait for some help. Keeping the helmet on will immobilize your neck so you do not cause any further spinal damage. Food for thought and happy riding! Sorry this is so long but I did not know how to say it any other way.
Now for the actual purpose of this post; both the down rider and his passenger wife had their helmets off when I got to them. When I asked what happened to their helmets they said they took them off. Up until then I know that everyone, even me, do not always wear a helmet when we ride. I wanted to believe that most motorcycle riders that wear a helmet just knew that when you crash, DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO TAKE YOUR HELMET OFF NOR SHOULD ANYONE REMOVE ANOTHER RIDERS HELMET! I can not emphasis this enough. I have seen too many neck and spinal injuries that are caused by all kinds of accidents, some minor some cause by actions after the crash. Just because you think you are OK does not mean you are. Shock and adrenaline causes your body to sometimes feel like you are not as bad as you actually may be. A helmet should only be removed by a doctor once at the hospital. You could actually cause serious damage to your spine by removing your helmet. I’m not talking about a “minor” crash (if there is such a thing) one without any doubt you do not need medical attention. I’m talking about the crash were you know you are hurt; it is very important to just lay still, do not move and wait for some help. Keeping the helmet on will immobilize your neck so you do not cause any further spinal damage. Food for thought and happy riding! Sorry this is so long but I did not know how to say it any other way.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 457
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From:
RE: Crashed - KEEP YOUR HELMET ON!!!
We were down there last year at this time. If I have the facts correct, an older fellow (at least older than me), riding a Goldwing, was taking in the sights as he was riding and hit a bicyclist. No helmet. Sad to say the motorcyclist died, the bicyclist (not sure if he had a helmet on) had a few broken bones.
Any rider protective gear not used is a waste of money.
Gart
Any rider protective gear not used is a waste of money.
Gart
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 68
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From:
RE: Crashed - KEEP YOUR HELMET ON!!!
I would just like to add one thing....here in NY I am a Paramedic and part of our training is a class on how to safely remove helmets from Motorcycle riders. I have also taught many members of the groups that I ride with how to do it, because in an emergency it is sometimes necessary to remove the Helmet, but if at all possible wait for trained medical personnel to arrive.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 267
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
RE: Crashed - KEEP YOUR HELMET ON!!!
Great post good information, the only thing I can add as a former Firefighter/Paramedic and now a nurse, is do not remove helments, boots or any other gear, do not move the injured person(s) unless there is immenent danger leaving them where they are (fire, vehicle stability, scene safety, etc) moving the person(s) could and often does add to the injuries. However also don't be afraid to assist the people in any way you can, even if all you do is provide comfort and keep them still. Please ride safe and pay attentin out there, everything is out to get us it seems at times.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: TX
RE: Crashed - KEEP YOUR HELMET ON!!!
ORIGINAL: Gart
We were down there last year at this time. If I have the facts correct, an older fellow (at least older than me), riding a Goldwing, was taking in the sights as he was riding and hit a bicyclist. No helmet. Sad to say the motorcyclist died, the bicyclist (not sure if he had a helmet on) had a few broken bones.
Any rider protective gear not used is a waste of money.
Gart
We were down there last year at this time. If I have the facts correct, an older fellow (at least older than me), riding a Goldwing, was taking in the sights as he was riding and hit a bicyclist. No helmet. Sad to say the motorcyclist died, the bicyclist (not sure if he had a helmet on) had a few broken bones.
Any rider protective gear not used is a waste of money.
Gart
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,730
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From: Vancouver BC
RE: Crashed - KEEP YOUR HELMET ON!!!
do not remove the helmet applies unless the person is not breathing and the helmet is resricting the ability to clear the airway and to assist breathing. properly trained you can remove a helmet and maintain c-spine control.