The Chainlink

Accident story to convince my nephew to wear helmet

I'm hoping your accident stories might convince my teen nephew to wear a helmet. I am not looking to start a helmet debate. I understand that wearing a helmet is a personal decision. I want him to realize the possible consequences of not wearing one. I would especially appreciate if you would be willing to email with him. Thanks so much!

Views: 1830

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Thanks so much everyone. I am going to spend some time with my nephew this weekend. I think your stories will be a major help.

David, since this is in a forum entitled "Bikes and Bicycling," I think it's pretty obvious that the topic is about wearing a helmet while cycling.  Perhaps you could direct your comment to your middle-school newspaper.  Someone there might find it witty. 

David Altenburg said:

Do you mean a helmet while cycling, or just in general life (while walking, playing video games, etc)?

OOoooo....touchy.... :-S

Jim Reho said:

David, since this is in a forum entitled "Bikes and Bicycling," I think it's pretty obvious that the topic is about wearing a helmet while cycling.  Perhaps you could direct your comment to your middle-school newspaper.  Someone there might find it witty. 

David Altenburg said:

Do you mean a helmet while cycling, or just in general life (while walking, playing video games, etc)?

Here's mine-

Scene: Bright summer's day around 5pm with traffic stopped at light. Cyclist approaching intersection at medium pace wearing safety vest, gloves, and helment.

I was doored on the driver's side from a parked car. Flew over the bars, landed on left shoulder, then the back of my head hit the street. Quite thankful for the plastic hat as I could be sipping my meals through a straw now. Or worse.

There are 2 items here, you don't want to scare him so bad that he doesn't want to cycle. 

Unless your an incredibly gifted story teller your words won't do so much as a few good photos.  Search around on google images for cyclist head injuries.  Print them out, put them on the fridge. My suggestion is to take him to as many stores as it takes until he finds a helmet that is 'cool' that he wants to wear and buy that helmet.  I'm of the opinion though that lights are actually far more important that helmets, better to be seen and not hit so a couple of them too.

As long as you are wearing a helmet doing it, it's okay to smoke and expose others to it.

Daniel G said:

Excessive smoking is probably less dangerous than excessive urban cycling. All my friends who bicycle here have been hit. None of my smoking friends have developed carcinomas.

Everyone who rides long enough gets hit. Not everyone who smokes long enough gets disease.

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

Encourage him also to not smoke cigarettes. It's silly to hear rants from cyclists who are helmet fascists, only to see them pound away those nails in their coffins.

omfg.

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

As long as you are wearing a helmet doing it, it's okay to smoke and expose others to it.

Daniel G said:

Excessive smoking is probably less dangerous than excessive urban cycling. All my friends who bicycle here have been hit. None of my smoking friends have developed carcinomas.

Everyone who rides long enough gets hit. Not everyone who smokes long enough gets disease.

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

Encourage him also to not smoke cigarettes. It's silly to hear rants from cyclists who are helmet fascists, only to see them pound away those nails in their coffins.

Thanks everyone. This is a long time coming, but this challenge took a while to come to fruition. My nephew has bought a helmet (a fancy new Bern) and is using it! Your stories were helpful and also this image of LeBron James wearing a helmet while biking. Because apparently if LeBron thinks helmets are cool. Helmets ARE cool. Thanks again and happy riding!

 

Funny how the helmet looks small on him.

I'll tell you what's even cooler than LeBron wearing a helmet -- being able to live without brain damage because when the huge guy bolted between two evergreens across the LFP and you barely had time to even see him, and you slammed into him and you were launched off your bike, hit your head, slid 30 feet and "only" had a concussion and a ton of road rash -- you were wearing a helmet.  I keep that crushed and cracked helmet to remind me that yes, it can happen.

A coworker's husband was in perfect health. He was riding his bike home from work one day and fell off his bike. None of us actually know what happened that caused him to fall, just that he did. He had no visible injuries, nothing to indicate he was hit by anything or hit anything. There were no indications of any health problems to cause him to fall either.

He wasn't wearing a helmet. The only thing they know is he was knocked unconscious and never came to. 4 days later he was dead. His son was 1.5 years old. His wife is now a single parent.

Although the brain is the one part of the human body to be designed with the complete surround of protective bone, it is not invincible. In fact, it is quite vulnerable. You can end up with a brain injury falling out of a chair, not to mention, higher speed activites like bicycling, skiing, skateboarding, motorcycling as well as activities where you can hit your head while moving like kayaking, rock climbing, etc.

The leading known cause of seizures is Traumatic Brain Injuries or TBI. That is best to be avoided. I promise.

A reliable source has said,
"Your brain is the most important piece of safety equipment you have. Protect your brain, by wearing a helmet!"

I didn't get the name "Lord Helmut" for nothin'

I have crashed on bicycles, motorcycles and in cars.
Don't take unnecessary risks and you will NEVER regret wearing a helmet, especially after a crash!

RSS

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service