does working in ER make you want motorcylehelmets mandatory

[chicagrl72]

just wondering

we witnessed a bad wreck during the toys for tots ride in november

it was horrifying

we live in a state where helmets are not mandatory

needless to say ...the guy died and he was not wearing a helmet

he was hit by a car

[nursejennie76]

As an ER nurse and the sister of a young man with a Traumatic brain injury (and did I mention also a ER nurse). I think that helmets should be mandatory, they are not in my state but they should be, so thats why we call then donor-cycles. My brothers TBI is not from a motorcycle it was from an MVA but I cant help but want to roll down my window and flash a pic of my little brother in the neuro ICU on a vent with a ICP monitor drilled into his skull!!! And I have seriously thought about it!!! Jen

[schoona]

Yes!!!!!! (But don't you just feel like it sometimes??!!

You mean for a nurse and/or physician to refuse to treat because the individual in question did not have a helmet on? You are kidding, yes??

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

Sadly only a few years ago only 2 yes 2 states did not have helmet laws. At the time the federal gvt changed its policy ie how it was forcing states to adopt helmet laws- basicly it requires a certain percentage of the money for road construction be used for helmet education. If I am correct it lowered the amount required for this and since alot of states have changed their laws.

As far as the seatbelt vs helmet argument thats like comparing apples to oranges. You really cant compare the two. Most people who ride motorcycles do so strictly as a choice. Not many here on this board can say the same for cars, if you can and do thats great. Besides that helmet or not at highway speeds you are going to be seriously injured if your on a bike. Even at low speed injuries on a motorcycle tend to be bad. The helmet just keeps your brain from being injured.

RJ

[pheid]

It's true that we must protect our personal freedoms, but every freedom carries an equal responsibility. Just because I have freedom of speech, it does not give me the right to enter a crowded theater and yell "FIRE" at the top of my lungs, when none exists, without some type of consequence. If some one wants to exercise the freedom to not wear a helmet, then he has a responsibility to protect others from the consequence of his choice. To insure that others will not have to bear the emotional or financial cost of an extended rehab, the non helmet wearer should have sufficient health and life insurance to protect his loved ones and should carry with him at all times an organ donor card along with a DNR directive. He still has the freedom of choice, without taking away the rights of his family to not be burdened with a lifetime invalid or mounting medical bills, or the local hospital to be paid for their services, or the taxpayers who will help to defray the cost of emergency services. I'm willing to bet that not all non helmet wearers have voluntarily taken on those responsibilities, so what's wrong with a little legislation to remind them?

Here's another thought- what If I'm the person who hit someone on a motorcycle? Should I be legally or emotionally responsbile for that person's head injury when they made the choice not to wear a helmet.

[broke1]

I've seen many people die from many things. I've seen smokers gasp for their last breath. I've done CPR on morbidly obese people. I carried a drowned child from the family pool to the ER. I picked up the pieces of a man who was hit by a train while hunting on railroad tracks. I worked a trauma code on a motorcyclist who was hit by a drunk driver.

Let's see: If we eliminate smoking, high fat / calorie foods, swimming pools and beaches, railroads, and booze, we would save thousands of lives each year. But this is America where people want freedom of choice.

Let's face it. People die. Either from natural causes or poor choices or just bad luck.

I ride a motorcycle and wear a helmet, always have and always will, but I should have the right to decide. Before you jump on a band-wagon to infringe upon my right to choose, look at your own lifestyle. Do you smoke, drink or eat at McDonalds? Do you talk on your cell phone while driving? How about working long shifts and getting behind the wheel?

Be carefull! Once a right or priviledge is taken away, it's almost impossible to get it back. What aspect of your daily life are you willing to give up?

[EdieBrous, BSN, MSN]

As an Ed nurse and motorcycle enthusiast, my theory is that anyone who rides a bike without wearing a helmet has nothing inside there to protect anyway. The trend is moving away from mandatory helmets in many states. Some of those same states still require helmets for bicycles, but not motorcycles. (consistent, eh?) Probably because more motorcyclists vote than bicyclists.

Not only should helmets be mandatory, but all protective gear. Shirtless & barefoot riders as just as stupid. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation safe rider course should be necessary for obtaining a motorcycle license as well.

Edie Brous

[blueinplaid]

I am also a Darwin believer as well, adaptation is the key to survival; if people aren't smart enough to wear a helmet..... kids however, someone should look out for them if their parents aren't! Organ donation is a beautiful gift.....

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

Helmet aside yes- because if you talk to law enforcement/ accident investigators alot of car vs motorcycle accidents are the fault of the driver in the car. Having worked in EMS prior to ER I heard alot of "I didn't see him" at accident scenes.

Rj:rolleyes:

Here's another thought- what If I'm the person who hit someone on a motorcycle? Should I be legally or emotionally responsbile for that person's head injury when they made the choice not to wear a helmet.

[gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP]

Even if a guy who is privately insured gets injured without a helmet, it's still on my dime, afterall I pay insurance premiums don't I?

We call em Donorcycles in these parts. Ya don't have to wear a helmet in Texas, but it still floors me that people ride without one. Same thing goes for bicycles.

If ya have a 10 dollar brain, buy a 10 dollar helmet...I wonder what that relates to for those who wear no helmet?

[hollyster]

First motorcycle wreck in worked the rider did not have a helmet(DOS.) Our services were not needed. Half of his head was gone. Nothing but brains and bits of bone. The face was gone except for one eye. Twenty years old. What a waste. I have also worked motorcyclist that died and they were wearing helmets, the human body is not meant to hit the ground at 70 miles an hour.

I participate in sports that are risky and I wear a helmet for all of them except for scuba diving. I would never get on my bike without a helmet, much less a motorcycle.

I just hope that they have all made their organ donation designations.

[RedSoxRN]

Our trauma chief said at a conference earlier this year... 'I've done a lot of stupid things; I've jumped out of airplanes, gone deep sea diving, worked with live electrical lines, even ran with the bulls in Spain, but I'll never, ever get on a motorcycle. People who ride motorcycles are my job security.'

I'm not sure helmets really do that much anyway. Seems to me if something goes wrong at 60+ on a bike trauma to other parts of your body will kill you even if your brain is slightly protected. I've also heard the statistic that 100% of motorcycle riders are in an accident every year - and if one doesn't have an accident in a given year, another will have two. I agree however, that this is the land where freedom of choice typically overrules controlling laws. As you see in anti-terror actions that are being implemented around the world, however, we are still trying to manipulate our ethics to find a balance between choice and the greater good.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I've also heard the statistic that 100% of motorcycle riders are in an accident every year

100%????? LOL, i can honestly say THAT is wrong....