The Jolly
I know that bike helmets are essential and absolutely prevent head injuries when a child falls off a bike (assuming it fits properly and buckled, etc.)
But would a kid stand a chance if hit by a car and wearing a helmet?
In case your're wondering this question was prompted by an 8 year old being killed on his bike yesterday. He was riding with his father but he had no helmet on when a van struck him. :'(
Really? A helmet only protects the head? Well who whuda thunk it?
For chrissake, I know that. He died of a head injury. I'm asking if helmets are designed to protect in a big impact like that.
It's only dubious to a moron. I have my own child and these issues are important to me.
Answer
Sorry to hear of the accident, that's sad. I'm not good at delivering bad news, so please bear with me on this
Whilst it's tempting to say that "a helmet would have saved his life", it's not always the case. Bike helmets are made of polystyrene foam which is supposed to absorb some of the impact - essentially flattening the roundness of the head to make a bigger contact point at the point of impact, thus reducing the forces on that part of the head. As bicycling is an aerobic exercise (as opposed to motorcycling, which involves you sitting on the motorbike and not much else, at least activities-wise), a bicycle helmet needs to be ventilated or we'd overheat and pass out.
A bike helmet is supposed to be able to reduce injuries to a person falling off their bike from a height of <4 feet at a speed of <12mph. This essentially means a kid falling off his/her bike without any additional forces being exerted, as you've mentioned.
In the case of a van hitting the kid, this immediately takes the helmet out of its certification zone. This hurts to say this, but it's unlikely that the helmet would have made much difference given how they're designed to operate. One other thing to be aware of is that many helmet-certification tests allow the helmet to be taped to the test rig as well as strapped how it should be worn. This is clearly not something we'd do, and nor are we supposed to do it. When independently tested by a UK consumer magazine, many helmets failed to meet the standard (in this case EN1078, for Europe) they were supposedly certified to.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Sorry to hear of the accident, that's sad. I'm not good at delivering bad news, so please bear with me on this
Whilst it's tempting to say that "a helmet would have saved his life", it's not always the case. Bike helmets are made of polystyrene foam which is supposed to absorb some of the impact - essentially flattening the roundness of the head to make a bigger contact point at the point of impact, thus reducing the forces on that part of the head. As bicycling is an aerobic exercise (as opposed to motorcycling, which involves you sitting on the motorbike and not much else, at least activities-wise), a bicycle helmet needs to be ventilated or we'd overheat and pass out.
A bike helmet is supposed to be able to reduce injuries to a person falling off their bike from a height of <4 feet at a speed of <12mph. This essentially means a kid falling off his/her bike without any additional forces being exerted, as you've mentioned.
In the case of a van hitting the kid, this immediately takes the helmet out of its certification zone. This hurts to say this, but it's unlikely that the helmet would have made much difference given how they're designed to operate. One other thing to be aware of is that many helmet-certification tests allow the helmet to be taped to the test rig as well as strapped how it should be worn. This is clearly not something we'd do, and nor are we supposed to do it. When independently tested by a UK consumer magazine, many helmets failed to meet the standard (in this case EN1078, for Europe) they were supposedly certified to.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Is it just me or are bicycle helmets worthless....?
Nazgul
I'm not an avid bike rider so my point might be moot but in my opinion they seem very ineffective, sit far too high and don't offer any face protection, I can understand they are made for low (bike) speed impacts but it seem auto accidents are far more likely to injure or kill you thus making the bike helmet worthless in a real world scenario. Also, my biggest complaint is the false sense of security they offer in my opinion and make non wearers seem reckless and dangerous. How often does one land in a way the a high riding foam and plastic skull cap can protect you from...I would be far more concerned about my face structure, fill me in please. Thanks!
Answer
If your helmet is sitting "far too high", you're wearing it wrong. The front should cover the forehead & be the first thing to touch the ground.
https://www.google.com/#q=how+to+wear+bicycle+helmet
http://www.evolutionofdad.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/bike_helmet.jpg
Next...if you think most bicycle accidents or "wrecks" or crashes involve a motor vehicle - you are WRONG! A full 45% do NOT involve anyone or anything else. 45% are SOLO FALLS.
http://thinkbicyclingblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/kaplan_bike_crash_causes.jpg
Are the streets & roads in your area lined with marshmallows in case of a fall? No...I didn't think so. Most bicycle crashes occur at slower speeds, not involving a car. Helmets can & do save lives.
As far as reckless & dangerous cyclists...don't ya think they would be that way with or without a helmet? Sometimes...you just can't fix stupid. Prime example or illustration demonstrated on this link... https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZo2DGC5RrlNrAdnwXhNsMew1K_bKF-6LKFXWsvioj6nwSov1OWoeFOL9VrTCqTSemy73-6zhvvaym2IdHsqZ8iRZ1zEy3DbgbE-5HWOaeda8kB2u8P6ZXgnKxxO6epbksZtAs_rG6FHVP/s400/You+Can't+Fix+Stupid.jpg
If your helmet is sitting "far too high", you're wearing it wrong. The front should cover the forehead & be the first thing to touch the ground.
https://www.google.com/#q=how+to+wear+bicycle+helmet
http://www.evolutionofdad.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/bike_helmet.jpg
Next...if you think most bicycle accidents or "wrecks" or crashes involve a motor vehicle - you are WRONG! A full 45% do NOT involve anyone or anything else. 45% are SOLO FALLS.
http://thinkbicyclingblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/kaplan_bike_crash_causes.jpg
Are the streets & roads in your area lined with marshmallows in case of a fall? No...I didn't think so. Most bicycle crashes occur at slower speeds, not involving a car. Helmets can & do save lives.
As far as reckless & dangerous cyclists...don't ya think they would be that way with or without a helmet? Sometimes...you just can't fix stupid. Prime example or illustration demonstrated on this link... https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZo2DGC5RrlNrAdnwXhNsMew1K_bKF-6LKFXWsvioj6nwSov1OWoeFOL9VrTCqTSemy73-6zhvvaym2IdHsqZ8iRZ1zEy3DbgbE-5HWOaeda8kB2u8P6ZXgnKxxO6epbksZtAs_rG6FHVP/s400/You+Can't+Fix+Stupid.jpg
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title Post: Does anyone know is a bike helmet could save a child's life if that child was hit by a car?
Rating: 100% based on 9998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 100% based on 9998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar