HELMETS ARE IMPORTANT!
Essential for Brain & Head Protection
Helmets may not be the most popular sports attire, but they are essential gear for many sports and activities, including:
- Bicycling
- Football
- Baseball
- Softball
- Hockey
- Horseback riding
- Ice skating
- Off-road and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) driving
- Rugby
- Skiing and snowboarding
While no one would be allowed to play football competitively without wearing a helmet, many who participate in some of the above-listed sports may choose not to wear helmets; that’s a bad choice! It’s estimated that half of all children’s injuries treated in emergency rooms each year are related to sports or recreational activities.
Helmets provide vital protection for our brains, which essentially float inside our skulls surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid and a three-layered membrane system. In the case of head trauma, our brains can be slammed into the inside of our skull, causing a concussion or other more serious injury.
The purpose of helmets is to help the head slow down more gradually, spread the impact of the trauma across a larger area and prevent direct impact to the skull. To serve those purposes well, the helmet must fit properly, be worn correctly and be in good condition. With a few multi-helmet exceptions (biking/skateboarding), most helmets are designed specifically for each sport and should not be intermixed. Many organizations recommend using the acronym SAFE as a guideline for fitting a helmet for you or a child:
- S is for Size. Measure the distance around the head with a soft tape measure, just above the eyebrows and ears. Then take a look at the sizing information on the helmet to figure out which size helmet fits best. Sizes vary among manufacturers.
- A is for Ask. Try on the helmet and ask how it feels. If it slides forward or backward, it’s too big. There should be no spaces between the padding and the head, and the helmet should fit snugly but not too tight. Make sure the wearer can see straight ahead and to either side. If the helmet has a bill, it should be parallel to the ground.
- F is for Fit. Once you have the right size helmet, make sure the padding doesn’t feel uncomfortably loose or tight. The helmet should not shift around easily on the head; it should want to stay in one place.
- E is for Evaluate. Once you’re satisfied with the way the helmet sits on the head, fasten the chinstrap (if there is one). Yawn wide. The chinstrap should pull the helmet down. If it doesn’t, the strap needs to be snugged up.
Helmets must be in good condition to serve their purpose. There are two types of helmets: single-impact and multi-impact. Most bicycle helmets are single-impact helmets whereas football helmets are multi-impact. For example, once a bicycle helmet has taken a hit, it’s likely no longer safe to use and should be replaced. In addition, foam and padding in helmets has a shelf life. After a certain number of years, it may degrade and no longer provide protection. Be sure to know the projected life of the bicycle helmet and replace it when necessary. Foam that has lost its effectiveness will not do its job protecting the skull.
Another caution about helmets, especially bike helmets, is that they should not be stored in a car where they can be exposed to extreme heat/cold and direct sunlight as those environmental factors can decrease the effectiveness of the foam and other padding.
Use your head to protect your head and others in your care. Helmets save lives and reduce the severity of head injuries.
Bailey Wehrle is a licensed athletic trainer with ThedaCare Orthopedic Care and provides services to students at Wautoma High School.
About ThedaCare
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,700 healthcare professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose, as well as 31 clinics in nine counties and the ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center in Appleton. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service.
