Rein hazards

["guest@endurance.net" <guest@endurance.net>]

A.P. AmandaPerez@ureach.com
  I heard a real horror story at a party last week: a neigbors daughter was killed while riding: she fell off, going over her horses head. somehow in the process her head got through the reins, which pulled under her helmet, snagging on the strap. Neither the reins nor the helmet strap broke - she was dragged for half a mile by the helmet, and died of the injuries.  I think she was 13?  A real freak accident.  Perhaps riding with split reins is safer?  But it's easy to drop a rein - also dangerous.  How about reins that join (at the rider's end, not at the bit attachment) with velcro instead of buckles?