Help me win a helmet debate!

Message

Sev · #31 Unread post by **Sev** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:36 pm

Thanks for the stories, I think they really bring this sort of thing home.

And I'm sorry if I brought up something I shouldn't have. I wasn't really thinking when I made that post.

I'll buy you a beer to make up for it

BuzZz · #32 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:51 pm

No worries, it happened many years ago, I've been messed up by a whole new set of disturbing 'incidents' since then.

I'll take that beer though.....

Sev · #33 Unread post by **Sev** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:52 pm

Sounds good, semester ends about Dec 16th, we'll have to meet up for a brew

ZooTech · #34 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 12:55 am

Mintbread wrote:
ZooTech wrote:In addition, I never feel more vulnerable while riding than I do while wearing my full-face thanks to the lovely blind-spots it causes, as well as the inability to turn my head to the side to check for anything my mirrors may have missed. Because of this, I feel more likely to get in an accident in the first place while wearing a helmet.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I was not even attempting to claim that riding without a helmet was safer. I was just pointing out the obvious flaws in the statistical data, and how the margin of safety with and without a helmet is not as huge as it's made out to be. Nothing more.

That's a personal account, Mintbread, so show me where I assumed that applied to everyone else.

Mintbread · Thu Oct 27, 2005 1:13 am

ZooTech wrote: I can't speak for anyone else, but I was not even attempting to claim that riding without a helmet was safer.

ZooTech · #36 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 1:52 am

Once again you've demonstrated your ability to take statements out of context.

Mintbread · Thu Oct 27, 2005 2:03 am

Do your comments have a shelf life?

ZooTech · #38 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 2:17 am

If you insist on nagging an explanation out of me then fine. Personally (<---operative word here) I feel more likely to get in an accident while wearing a helmet. However, I know full well that I'd be safer in said accident by virtue of wearing the helmet. Therefore, it is my belief that wearing a helmet is a safer practice than not, but for me I'm okay going without because I feel more able to avoid accidents in the first place. And I'm aware of the selection of open-face helmets and brain buckets on the market, but have yet to find one that doesn't look mentally challenged on me.

So, in summary:

Wearing Helmet = Safer in a crash than not wearing a helmet

Wearing Helmet = More likely to crash due to blindspots and slow head reactions

Helmet Damage = Indication that the helmet hit the ground, not that the head would have

Meanie · #39 Unread post by **Meanie** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 8:10 am

ZooTech wrote: So, in summary:

Wearing Helmet = Safer in a crash than not wearing a helmet

True

ZooTech wrote: Wearing Helmet = More likely to crash due to blindspots and slow head reactions

Statistically proven to be inaccurate. I think you are just looking for an excuse.

ZooTech wrote: Helmet Damage = Indication that the helmet hit the ground, not that the head would have

Let's see, with only an inch or two at best between your head and the outer shell, you honestly believe you are capable of holding your head off the ground upon impact? If so, then I suggest you learn physics.

I would be willing to bet you my entire life savings, assets, belongings, etc. to conduct a test which required you to be forced upon an impact with and without helmet to determine if you can hold your head from hitting anything due to that impact. I can guarantee I would not lose anything. Unfortunately, you may no longer be capable of comprehension after the impact without the helmet.

ZooTech · #40 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 9:03 am

Meanie wrote:
ZooTech wrote: Wearing Helmet = More likely to crash due to blindspots and slow head reactions
Statistically proven to be inaccurate. I think you are just looking for an excuse.

Really? So you've actually run across statistics showing that you're more likely to crash while not wearing a helmet? I'd love to see that data.

I don't need an excuse. It's legal here in Ohio to ride without a helmet, so there's no need for an excuse. Perhaps you need an excuse for why you put on a suit of armor every time you ride so you throw down statistics and stories showing what a brave little man you are for even riding in the first place. If you guys want to continually miss the point that's your problem. Anyone that denies that a helmet-clad head weighs more than a helmetless head is the one in need of a physics lesson. Certainly there is a line where helmet or not, your head is gonna hit something, and beyond that line is where the helmet wearer is more likely to survive. But to just throw down a scratched helmet in front of me and say, "See, it saved my head" is a huge assumption. Unless you wear your helmet 24/7 and build up your neck muscles to cope with the extra weight, there will be many incidents where your helmet touches down simply because the dang thing is heavy and carries with it momentum that your neck can't hold back.

If anyone wants to twist around my words to appear as though I've said you're better off without a helmet, knock yourself out.