lo0p

Helmets for Ski and Snowboard Safety - NYTimes.com

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Treegreen

"But wearing a helmet did not increase people’s speed, as would be expected if the headgear encouraged risk taking. Cautious people were slower than risk-takers, whether they wore helmets or not; and risk-takers were fast, whether their heads were helmeted or bare."

There is the important part of the argument and why:

"In addition, many worried that if they wore helmets, less-adept skiers and snowboarders might do likewise, feel invulnerable and engage in riskier behavior on the slopes."

has always seemed like the dumbest reason for not encouraging helmet use. The rest of the article basically proves that wearing a helmet doesn't change reaction time or vision compared to not wearing a helmet which is another old and tired argument. The only argument I find to be legit are from people who basically grew up not wearing a helmet and find them uncomfortable.

mhaas

blah blah woof woof. Im so sick of this debate.We get it. Head trauma is bad. Wear a fucking helmet if you are worried about hitting your head. If you dont think your riding style and ability puts your head in imminent danger, dont wear one. End of story. Why does this have to be a cultural thing?

seant46

I wear a helmet most of the time these days but I disagree with the 'darwin award' comments for people that dont. I mean youre probably more likely to have a head injury from a car accident in your life but you dont see people wearing helmets for that.

lo0p

I posted this because the studies debunk some common misconceptions and beliefs and I thought that was interesting.

As for your head, it's yours and you can do what you want with it. I'm not your mom

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Ttam

I didnt even read the article.. They are always the same.. But A FUCKN MEN to this guy ^

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Treegreen

Ignorance is bliss, I see?

Varza

Actually the article presents some findings from scientific studies supporting the use of helmets. It seemed pretty neutral to me, but meh, it's just a newspaper. I'd be interested in reading the actual papers.

I don't care either way if people choose to wear helmets or not. You're right, it's a tiring, pointless debate. Kinda like religion and politics. But science - it works, bitches! :P

skunkworks_

No, they wear seat belts that the government has to mandate people to use to save the negligent from maiming or killing themselves. Personally, I don't have much empathy when people get injured or killed for not wearing a seatbelt (or a helmet during snowboarding for that matter). I do however understand why people want to intervene and force the safety issue, as it's our tax dollars and insurance premiums that help offset the cost of this negligence.

seant46

I know about seat belts. Can you explain how they protect head trauma in a crash??? ex: head hitting side window?

Wearing a helmet should be a personal choice. (Im talking about snowboarding here..)