High velocity and the fact that I have children that I'd like to remember when I get old.
Why'd You Start Wearing a Helmet?
Had a close call last week while riding and It got me thinking about the about the whole no helmet thing.
I have been riding for almost 14 years (since I was a kid) and in this whole time never wore a helmet. I have been pretty lucky so far and haven't had any serious injuries aside for a pretty bad bump to the head when I was in the sixth grade.
Last week I took a pretty good tumble riding through some trees. I didn't get hurt but if I fell 6" in the other direction, the back of my had would have hit a tree trunk HARD.
I have been thinking about the close call ever since and I think I'm going to use these end of season sales to buy a helmet for myself and one for the gf.
I think most people on here wear helmets while they ride. Most guys I grew up snowboarding with who now wear helmets because they either had an injury or a close call. I'm curious what made you guys start wearing a helmet? Have you always wore one, parents made you, or did you learn the hard way?
I have been riding for almost 14 years (since I was a kid) and in this whole time never wore a helmet. I have been pretty lucky so far and haven't had any serious injuries aside for a pretty bad bump to the head when I was in the sixth grade.
Last week I took a pretty good tumble riding through some trees. I didn't get hurt but if I fell 6" in the other direction, the back of my had would have hit a tree trunk HARD.
I have been thinking about the close call ever since and I think I'm going to use these end of season sales to buy a helmet for myself and one for the gf.
I think most people on here wear helmets while they ride. Most guys I grew up snowboarding with who now wear helmets because they either had an injury or a close call. I'm curious what made you guys start wearing a helmet? Have you always wore one, parents made you, or did you learn the hard way?
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I started wearing a helmet because i got a concussion without one.
I wore a helmet randomly my first year. It was warmer than my hat, so I would wear it on cold days. One day without it, I had slipped on some ice and didn't hit my head, but was just sitting down on the ice patch in a flat area. I simply laid back (imagine a snow angel with a board on) and my head hit the ice. It was NOT hard by any means, but it did not feel good. I thought to myself, if it was that uncomfortable for my head to hit the ice while slowly laying down in a relaxing manner, imagine how bad it would be if I fell while actually riding.
I've worn one every day after that.
I've worn one every day after that.
Was easier than headphones and the protection against cutting my head open was a plus.
Well, I actually always wanted one. I searched high and low for one that fit and couldn't find any. I have a huge head, but its size is in the width. XXL helmets were comfortably fitting width-wise, but were too long leaving a ton of room in the front and back.
So I gave up and just rode. Couple seasons in and I hit the back of my head hard off a failed jump. I was dizzy and nauseated the rest of the day. I only had a mild concussion thankfully. Needless to say, I found a helmet that fit soon after. Never looked back. I feel naked without it now and can't imagine riding like that.
But I don't go all gung-ho because I have a helmet (and impact shorts). It's just an extra step I take because it doesn't hurt anything to wear one. Besides, it's really useful in the trees... damn branches.
So I gave up and just rode. Couple seasons in and I hit the back of my head hard off a failed jump. I was dizzy and nauseated the rest of the day. I only had a mild concussion thankfully. Needless to say, I found a helmet that fit soon after. Never looked back. I feel naked without it now and can't imagine riding like that.
But I don't go all gung-ho because I have a helmet (and impact shorts). It's just an extra step I take because it doesn't hurt anything to wear one. Besides, it's really useful in the trees... damn branches.
Had to wear one for my first lesson and it was a revelation. The warmest most comfortable doesn't move about on my head ever. If only it was socially acceptable for very day use. Plus protects against head injuries.
I can't imagine going that fast. I'm already shitting my pants at around 50...
When I first strapped a deck to me feet, hurtling down a frozen hill lined with trees. Seemed like a smart thing to do. 
I started wearing a helmet because I started snowboarding.....
I got started in brain damage characterization and diagnosis back in college as a cool research topic (we had access to very high resolution PET and MRI scanners) and a lot of what we studied was trauma in athletes (including but not limited to NFL and NHL players). You see the result of repeated trauma and it becomes *very* tangible. Up until then I had been riding without a helmet and never had any bad hits, but I knew that due to my time spent cycling (BMX) and boarding, it was more of a "when", versus an "if."
I was going up to Bear for some spring park laps one weekend. The night before I had a feeling, and went to Sport Chalet. Picked up a cool-looking Red Mutiny II in blue (kinda like a Dodger helmet) and that was that. The next day, I was over-rotating on a jump, ended up landing bad, hit my head *hard* and came out of it without a concussion. Fractured my wrist though, but compared to a TBI, I was pretty stoked about how it ended.
Live and learn and buy helmets galore.
I was going up to Bear for some spring park laps one weekend. The night before I had a feeling, and went to Sport Chalet. Picked up a cool-looking Red Mutiny II in blue (kinda like a Dodger helmet) and that was that. The next day, I was over-rotating on a jump, ended up landing bad, hit my head *hard* and came out of it without a concussion. Fractured my wrist though, but compared to a TBI, I was pretty stoked about how it ended.
Live and learn and buy helmets galore.
Come on Leo, hit me up the next time you are out west and we'll go fast.I can't imagine going that fast. I'm already shitting my pants at around 50...
Sunny days help.
Habit. I wore a helmet for bicycling around the city so figured why not for snowboarding. Not to mention it's way warmer than a hat. I've smoked my head a few times wearing a helmet, both snowboarding and longboarding and lived to tell the tale, sort of. Without it though, there's a fairly good chance I'd be dead by now.
what app is that?
And I got mine after I smashed my face on a box and then was too scared to do anything afterward. I wore it for a year and have since stopped wearing it again.
I feel the need, the need for speed. Oooowwww.
I wear one because I have a kid if I didn't I would not wear a helmet. I only wore one when skating over 45mph.
I bought it for riding through thick trees for the most part, It's awesome not having to worry about tiny branches stealing my hat and shit.
Also to mount the go-pro on. I kinda like wearing it now with the tunes, it's cozy. I use it 70% of the time.
Have you guys really had that many head injuries from snowboarding?
I've had one from Mountain Biking, snowboarding I've had mostly ribs/elbows/wrist and knee injuries.
I really don't think falling at high speeds is that bad unless you slam your body into a object that don't move, then PPE really don't help much. You just tumble around until you can dig an edge in or get back on track. I worry more about Boxes and rails.
And Oh boy.. Another one of these threads.
Also to mount the go-pro on. I kinda like wearing it now with the tunes, it's cozy. I use it 70% of the time.
Have you guys really had that many head injuries from snowboarding?
I've had one from Mountain Biking, snowboarding I've had mostly ribs/elbows/wrist and knee injuries.
I really don't think falling at high speeds is that bad unless you slam your body into a object that don't move, then PPE really don't help much. You just tumble around until you can dig an edge in or get back on track. I worry more about Boxes and rails.
And Oh boy.. Another one of these threads.
Ski Trackswhat app is that?
And I got mine after I smashed my face on a box and then was too scared to do anything afterward. I wore it for a year and have since stopped wearing it again.
I think you have a point there though. A lot of my fear probably comes from:Come on Leo, hit me up the next time you are out west and we'll go fast.
Sunny days help.
1) Man-made crap under me while going 50
2) Dodging plenty of meat on the way down
3) Short length of run which means I have less time to pick up more speed and also less time to slow back down
I might hit over 50 out west and not even realize it on a wide open, uncrowded run with good snow and blue skies.
I started wearing one the day I realized I wouldnt be happy just cruising groomers.... Although there is something to be said about being more reckless when you have protection. I have hit my head at least 3 times per season really hard with my helmet on but zero times when I didnt have it.
1 - 20 of 68 Posts
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