| When we think about motorcycles we think | | | | Ironically, the very people who reject |
| about the feel of the rushing wind in our | | | | motorcycle helmets think nothing about |
| faces and our hair blowing back behind us. We | | | | wearing a helmet for sports activities. No |
| think about looking cool as we speed down the | | | | one questions the use of helmets in, for |
| road. What we don't think about is what | | | | example, football or ice hockey. Helmets |
| happens to the human body when it is involved | | | | protect the players from injury. |
| in a motorcycle collision with a car or van. | | | | |
| We don't think about the impact of the | | | | The Cleveland Clinic Health Information |
| collision, the body being thrown clear and | | | | Center states that injury can be prevented |
| sliding along the road's surface until it | | | | through the use of properly fitted helmets. |
| stops on its own or until it encounters a | | | | There are different kinds of safety helmet |
| fence or a telephone pole. | | | | for sports. It is critical to wear the right |
| | | | size. A loose fitting helmet cannot protect |
| It was the death of a race car driver that | | | | the head because it will move when impacted. |
| sparked interest in helmet safety in this | | | | The helmet should always touch the head all |
| country. In 1956, William Snell was killed | | | | the way around. |
| when his helmet failed to protect him in what | | | | |
| was deemed a survivable race car accident. | | | | We don't often think about getting injured on |
| Since that time, the standards for helmets | | | | a bicycle, but, according to the Bicycle |
| have been regulated by the American National | | | | Helmet Safety Institute, nearly 540,000 |
| Standards Institute, with the input of the | | | | bicyclists are injured seriously enough each |
| Snell Memorial Foundation. While we can | | | | year to require visiting an emergency room. |
| regulate helmet safety, it is not always | | | | Of this number, 67,000 have head injuries. |
| possible to get people to wear them. Unless | | | | The Snell Foundation has also developed |
| they are mandated by law, many people refuse | | | | standards for bicycle helmets. |
| to do so. | | | | |
| | | | As with motorcycle helmets, bicycle helmets |
| According to the National Highway and Traffic | | | | should fit the head properly. Loose helmets |
| Safety Administration, just under half of all | | | | do not protect the head. Straps should be |
| motorcycle deaths between 1990 and 1993 | | | | adjusted to ensure the best fit. Many helmets |
| resulted because the rider was not wearing a | | | | are made from expanded polystyrene, but no |
| safety helmet. Even if death is avoided when | | | | other material is considered best for |
| the helmetless rider was injured, there may | | | | helmets. Bicycle helmets protect the head by |
| still be drastic consequences. Head, neck and | | | | absorbing energy and lessening the force of |
| back injuries may leave riders paralyzed or | | | | the impact. Their light weight make them |
| handicapped for life. | | | | ideal for the bicycle riders. |
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