Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Helmets

> My dearest Barbara,
>
> I got your point, thank you.  I just don't agree with it.  Yes, to answer
> your snide remark, I have many who care for me, and I for them.  That is
why
> I have specific instructions to NEVER drain any purses dry while on some
life
> support system somewhere while they have to "care for me."

Barbara was neither snide nor rude.  Too bad you have to attack her.  For
what it's worth, I'd defend to the death your right to not wear a helmet.
That said, the evidence that helmets save lives is not anecdotal--it is
well-researched, well-documented, and pretty profound.  I, too, have
specific instructions never to drain purses dry by keeping me on life
supports.  But as one who can see the evidence and weigh it, I choose to
wear a helmet precisely because I want to reduce the odds that my loved ones
will have to MAKE the choice to turn off the machines.  As a ride vet, I've
had to attend to many injured riders over the years, and one of my habits
has always been to make sure the helmet goes to the ER with any patient who
landed on one, so that the ER docs can see the dents and assess the
direction and degree of impact as a part of their workup.  I have one very
good friend who, according to the ER doc after assessing the dent in her
helmet, would have been a fatality had she taken the impact unprotected at
that point on her head.  (This particular doc takes care of the climbers
that fall off of Smith Rocks in central Oregon routinely, and has seen
literally hundreds of shattered helmets with relatively healthy heads inside
of them.)  Sure, that's anecdotal, but the sports medicine docs can fill you
in on all the research and stats, if you should ever be inclined to be
interested.  Again, it's your choice.  Part of the joy of freedom is the
freedom to be stupid, even in the face of overwhelming evidence.

Heidi


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=