no helmet

webbiedebbie · Sep 5, 2003

My ex-husband didn't like the weight of it on his head. He also said it muffled sounds. He said his head sweat while it was on. He really didn't like people telling him what to do!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2003

Because they are idiots and really want to donate organs early in life when they will do the most good to the recipient.

I would love for people that insist on no helmets to have to spend a month taking care of the head injured. Driving/riding should be considered a privilege and not a right.

Rustyhammer · Sep 9, 2003

Colorado is one of the FEW states that has no helmet law.

It's sweet for us bikers but I'm afraid the California influence may soon change that.

I don't like to wear mine either but they are handy if it's raining.

-Russell

Caveman · Sep 9, 2003

I'd enjoy riding without mine too, but the thought of my head hitting the pavement is enough to make me wear it religiously. A buddy of mine, however, never wears one. According to his thinking, "[t]he only difference a helmet makes is whether the funeral will be open casket or closed casket."

nola1202 · Jul 1, 2011

Wow, I've been told most people wear helmets to down-hill ski now, I thought the bike helmet was a no brainer...or so to speak. I need to protect my yolk, wearing the egg shell even if it does look dumb.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 1, 2011

I always ALWAYs wear a helmet when I ride my motorcycle but I like that there is no law. I am a Libertarian at heart.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jul 1, 2011

It is something to get used to. I moved to CO from WA where there are strict helmet laws for motorcycles, bikes and so on. Parents can get tickets if their kids don't wear them. I move to CO and motorcycles pass me without helmets and I was shocked. I am sure it has to do with the whole "my life I can do as I please" argument. But it seems that helmets should be required.

I was in the ED one time and a trauma came in, was someone that wrecked their bike. I saw the condition of the helmet. They are very lucky they chose to wear a helmet even though it wasn't required. Didn't stop them from breaking numerous other traffic laws. But they are still alive and intact.

Izzy11, NP · Jul 2, 2011

Bikers claim that helmets reduce their peripheral vision, so they are safer without them. And I've heard from neurologists that helmets just make it easier to clean up the road - the brain damage is just as bad with them as without them.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 2, 2011

I've heard from neurologists that helmets just make it easier to clean up the road - the brain damage is just as bad with them as without them.

In worst case scenario accidents I'm sure this is true. But no, it's not true across the board. If it were true, and if helmets really didn't save lives, then people wouldn't wear them. Helmets do save lives, and protective gear saves lives (and skin) too.

I really hate when people say that helmets don't make a difference. It just makes more people rationalize not wearing them.

At the very least, imagine getting hit with a stone in the face. Without a helmet, one could easily put out an eye and/or lose control of their bike.

One1, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2011

What makes me (as a healthcare provider riding motorcycles and wearing a helmet at all times) wonder is why there are so many other healthcare providers who ride without helmets.. Helmets DO make a difference, we see it often enough in the ED.

IrishMama · Jul 4, 2011

It is pretty disturbing. I worked for a few years in injury prevention at a big trauma center in Denver and many people would agree with you. Since I've left the state last year, they were able to get enhanced booster seat legislation through (we had been trying for years), but you can't even get anything with primary seat belt legislation through, let alone making someone wear a helmet. There are many people who don't like nanny laws and helmets are part of that. Mandatory bike helmets and education to accompany it got killed at the last minute last year because they didn't want to tell parents what to do and who is going to give all these people helmets. I got calls EVERY SINGLE DAY for helmets and couldn't help the majority of people because I had limited funds.*

In the mean time, there are many people trying to work with different health care agencies to educate and promote helmet use. But like most things, unless it is primary prevention, the work only goes so far. You can tell someone they will die if they don't wear a helmet, but they won't wear it anyway. You can tell someone they will get a fine if they don't wear one, and by golly, they've probably got one strapped to their head.

As far as ski resorts go... Many have a policy of mandatory helmets for certain ages, ski school, etc. The *hope* is to ease into it. Have the companies make it a policy and then when everyone is enforcing it and it becomes more socially acceptable, then try to create a state law around it.