pavedwave longboarding

LD skater since 1971

I am big proponent against safety gear when not needed. It only needed in speeds over 30 mph or vert that is all or if you personally feel you need to wear it. I kept it out of CASL street style events because all my obstacle I built were under 2 feet tall. Also to micic the real street environment when was the last time you saw 3 foot tall curb cut except in Tiajuana. Then the vert prima-donna's got mad because they were losing their spotlight so they perverted street style contest in to quasi street vert contest. I also wanted to keep the events exactly how they skated in the street no safety equipment. California has helmet law for kids that killed bicycle riding now they have to wear it skateboarding.
I was in a CASL meeting back in 1988 and we were talking about the new motorcycle helmet law coming up. Bob Staton told us how the state was going to do it to a "T". First motorcycles for everybody then kids on bicycles and skateboards, rollerblades,scooters, big wheels .
Kids get nailed for tickets with hefty fines for not wearing helmets it almost killed the bicycle industry here. But these days now the younger kids don't know any thing different and freak out if they don't have helmet or safety gear on?

What ever happened to getting hurt a little bit or knowing pain?
How will today children know the difference of a little pain or really bad pain is if they have never experienced it.
I used to work with doctor a 32 year old women who was sheltered from every pain. She would fall on the ground crying because she got a paper cut. I would tell her to get off the floor quit acting like a fool it only paper cut.
We have become a over protective society need to know a childs every move.
But I just saw on the news tonight in Sweden they have proven Cell phones used by children may cause brain tumors. Because their skull is not fully grown and is not as thick as an adult. So maybe the great umbilical cord will be cut on the kids if they outlaw kids with cell phones.
End of rant IMHO

_________________
Terry

camel · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 3:06 am Post subject:

Helmets are good, no matter what anyone says. A board can slip out from underneath you in a second, especially when you are not expecting it or fooling around. A head slap can render you dead or useless for the rest of your life, a burden on others. I rarely step on a board without at least a helmet and gloves. As for full pads, they turn me into Superman. I can tear chit up when I have pads on because I am not thinking about getting hurt. When I am just planning on cruising or doing a little board walking with the kids around, just a helmet and gloves is fine. My kids have the choice on the pads and gloves, they do NOT have the choice on a helmet. They know what pain is, they have bled before, they have skinned knees and elbows. I am not worried about raising a couple of weenies at all...

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

Thanks for offering up your opinion Terry. I'm a helmet proponent for three reasons:

1. helmet saved my brother's life when we were out biking, doing some jumps, his fork busted inside and we didn't know it until 15 minutes later, when the metal fatigue gave and he was sent straight down to the pavement. we were just cruising, around 15--20mph. the front of the helmet was destroyed -- it absorbed almost all the impact accdg to the doctors. broke the bones around his eye, and a concussion that left him immediately unconscious. the heavy, uncontrollable breathing was instant. I was there alone with him, had to flag down a neighbor to call 911 and get the ambulance out immediately. the effect to his behavior, mood swings, etc., afterward was obvious. i relive the event constantly. he's my only immediate family in the area and he still lives 3 hours drive away. helmets have saved several of my longboarding friends' from ER visits and possibly death, since this time -- on "casual" rides.

2. my confidence in NOT wearing a helmet was dashed when I thought that just cruising around the lake on my board, would never "need" one. it was the combination of three things: going about 15mph, pumping heelside, and a pinecone that lodged under the wheel. it tossed me on the small of my back, rolled up to the top of my back and whiplashed the back of my head to the pavement. I was just lucky to have remained conscious on the adrenalin, had a friend with a car that could whisk us to the E.R., where I nearly passed out, then got 11 stitches and later read up on how others in slow moving accidents who hit the backs of their heads died instantly or soon after. the risk I was taking simply was not worth it. which leads to my last and primary reason:

3. I have an 11-year old daughter, and wife, and very little other family to support them.

as for organized events -- most of my experience is downhill slalom. all it would take is one bad injury or death, and a vindictive family (unfortunately lawsuits are really the crux of the reason) to fully shut down the event and possibly any other related events in the future. we spend literally years preparing, organizing, and holding these events and building up a solid rapport with the local community including law enforcement -- and all that hard work could be dashed because one person wanted to "look cool" or "feel free" but their family didn't agree they looked cool dead or wanted someone to help finance their feeding tubes and wheelchair lifestyle afterward.

as for pads, etc., I have views too, but this is too long already Very Happy

here's a link to Dr. Dave on NCDSA that I like to visit now and then.

http://www.ncdsa.com/39/Dr-Daves-Corner.htm

still, when out freeriding, I respect the choices others make. I offer them a helmet if they don't have one, but I'm not going to police them. a couple of my riding buddies still go without.

ZapZang · Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Posts: 32

Whats a good minimal, light, not super weenie lookign helmet anyone would recommend? I dont wear one now and kinda hate the idea but would be nice to have for times when caution is in order ... I've whiplashed the back of my head intot he ground the way James described and had several concussions as a kid ... dont really need to cause my brain any more trauma.

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

I've been pretty happy with the Pro-tecs, but have also considered a bike helmet for LDP because they breathe so much better, and most of the time if you eat it, you're falling forward. The reason I stick with a skate helmet is to keep the back of the head protected, because I still use it all-around, pools and slalom.

I'd just like to note even though I "soapbox" a bit about helmets (well, you started it Terry) Wink

I don't mean to try winning any argument, because this topic is essentially endless. Ultimately it's a "to each his own" kind of decision.

Winnersh · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Berkshire, England

A Protec Snowboard helmet might be an idea if you skate in the cold. Ear warmers you see Cool

ZapZang · Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Posts: 32

Part of me thinks a helmet makes sense, the other part thinks it's the lamest, especially for flatland pumping ... like the yuppie bikers who just toodle around the lake paths with their helmets on ... certainly no one on either side of the debate is totally stupid to take their position, so to each their own indeed.

Belegnole · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 86 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin

All we need to do is reinvent what is COOL, then everyone will want to wear a helmet. No matter what one feels about them it is proven that you are better off wearing one. I found that the Bell Faction fits my noggin and I'll be cool in it.