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Helmets, Mouthguards, and Concussions.

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KJacks
Posts: 440 - Karma: 2,329

A whole bunch of studies have found that Helmets don't actually prevent concussions, and neither do mouth guards. In fact that helmets are only really good for injuries such as a broken skull. One study was done here in Winnipeg also found that concussions last a lot longer then first thought, sometimes up too a year, this could have huge ramifications on skiing and other sports where head injuries are regular.

So NS I am curious, if these preliminary studies prove to be accurate will you feel more comfortable without a helmet/do you feel a helmet is necessary as it is at all?
Apr 3 2013 1:36PM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
feel like this study is geared towards sports not skiing.
Apr 3 2013 1:39PM
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cbj
Posts: 2114 - Karma: 1,136
I still wear my helmet. Hit my head off a rail with a helmet it will hurt. Hit it without a helmet I could die. Mouthguards are maybe more unnecessary. But a helmet, for sure, will always wear one while skiing (park at least).
Apr 3 2013 1:39PM
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saxon
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 551
a concussion can last for a scary long time. the problem is there are very little to no signs of it, so people tend it ignore it. if they get another concussion, it is so much worse, especially if it's before the first has completely "healed".

for that reason, i'll wear a helmet regardless of what a study says. having an extra barrier between my head and the ground makes sense to me, even if it will only make a tiny difference. i'm so used to wearing a helmet at this point, that not wearing one would throw me off i think.
Apr 3 2013 1:41PM
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theblackrod
Posts: 2162 - Karma: 575
I've got concussions both with and without helmets. Watched friends do the exact same. And we all say the same thing. Wear your helmet.
Apr 3 2013 1:43PM
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KJacks
Posts: 440 - Karma: 2,329
they said they are finding some of the symptoms of severe concussions as far back as 3 years in people younger then 18, these include memory loss, and not being able to concentrate.. The problem is that they found helmets make no difference in concussions.
Apr 3 2013 1:45PM
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Amadeus.
Posts: 3050 - Karma: 382
exactly. Even if it doesnt prevent against a concussion you aren't going to get as hurt or be as fucked up.
Apr 3 2013 1:46PM
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Sdot.
Posts: 4103 - Karma: 4,488
I've had way more concussions than I like, but a helmet has saved my life before. And mouth guards have saved my teeth and gums. I rarely wore a helmet skiing, but I was very thankful that I was wearing it on the day that I needed it.
Apr 3 2013 1:49PM
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saxon
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 551
yeah, the human brain is super susceptible to concussions well into our 20s or something like that. it has to do with the brain still developing, etc. i remember something like that from a coaching session on them that i was at.

basically, there's not a whole lot known about concussions, which is what makes them so scary.

and yeah, even still. i look at it like this: it can't be a bad thing to wear a helmet. at the VERY LEAST, it will hopefully hurt less.
Apr 3 2013 1:51PM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
first off, most "skiing" helmets dont help the majority of people on this site, because they are only rated for impacts up to a certain speed, which most park skiers go above regularly. its still good to have because it can make a difference, but it wont entirely solve the problem

however, i find comfort in having an extra layer between the snow/rails and my head. even if it doesnt prevent concussions, it hurts a lot more to smack your head against a rail where there is a localized impact that can break the skin, where as a helmet will distribute the force so there isnt as much of a localized impact, as well as prevent any external injuries
Apr 3 2013 1:51PM
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MASkier
Posts: 657 - Karma: 704
Even if a helmet did nothing saftey wise I would still wear one. It holds your goggles and sound system better than a hat, stays on in a crash, and makes it hurt less when you bump your head on a branch. Really no downside except they can be expensive.
Apr 4 2013 12:03PM
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bnewbs6
Posts: 1919 - Karma: 1,463
I'd way rather smack my head on a rail wearing a helmet then without one. That's always been a huge fear of mine.
Apr 4 2013 12:22PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
Mouthguards protect your teeth.
Apr 4 2013 1:08PM
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RoofDaRoofieDogg
Posts: 3090 - Karma: 1,989
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Apr 4 2013 1:22PM
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B.Fantana
Posts: 487 - Karma: 86
Had a concussion last thursday and was wearing a helmet. And yeah when i was in the hospital i was told that helmets don't do much to stop them and they had found that they do last a lot longer . You have to do nothing until 24hrs after your asymptomatic. No exercise no TV etc. to avoid unnecessary brain stimulation. since I had headache for 5 days thats 6 days of boredom. but I had a midterm to write so i only did 3. But without a helmet I still think it would/could have been worse. Even if it doesn't prevent concussions it still prevents fractures and thats reason enough.
Apr 4 2013 1:22PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,510
My helmet has saved my life this year, so wear one.
Apr 4 2013 1:44PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,510
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Apr 4 2013 1:45PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,510
Tripple post but I learned from fighting that mouthguards pick up force like a punch to your jawline and stops it from going up to your head it's much easier to knock somebody out without a mouth guard in.
Apr 4 2013 1:47PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37680 - Karma: 123,640
Yeah no. That's absurd. Maybe for contact sports but not skiing/snowboarding. I cracked my maze in half but it saved my life. Probably be fed with a feeding tube if I didn't right now.
Apr 4 2013 2:03PM
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Dingo69
Posts: 1330 - Karma: -171
This. Helmets are lame. Wear a thick hat like delorme and shut up
Apr 4 2013 2:45PM
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