TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
Jan 31, 2004 | 11:39 AM
#71
Pro Rider
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,296
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TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
Originally posted by: PilotSniper
Marky, you're just missing the point completely on this, aren't you? Forget the closures, statistics, accident reports, politics or your dune patrol for a minute. It's not illegal to chop your own head off with a homemade guillotine, but does that sound smart to you? I just read an article about the 19-year-old firefighter that was riding home on his quad after a meeting that got hit by a deer (read: the deer slammed him). He has pelvic injuries and is recovering in the hospital, but (GET READY FOR A SHOCKER!) his helmet saved his life! Now, isn't that odd? Did he do anything wrong? Was he breaking any law? Was he riding wreckless? NO! He was the victim of the unexpected incident that we all know is coming, but never know when. Do you get it now?
Please read the post before mine from Bill (MUDDY4LIFE). He's an ATV safety instructor. Take a wild guess what he recommends!!! He also makes a beautiful point (GREAT POINT BILL!!!) about how YOUR decision to NOT wear a helmet directly affects YOUR family and friends. When you're a vegetable, sitting in a wheelchair, and you're waiting for someone to come over and change your soiled diaper, you'll know at that moment that it's too late to put on your helmet and that all of those people "who told you so" were correct in their assessment. Well, unfortunately, you probably still won't realize it under those circumstances...
Can you see the irony here?
Wear your lid, man!
Originally posted by: ironrod
I disagree - like I have said, I know that stats and regulations for the State of Oregon. Other states, I do not know.
For the other readers, I suggest you ask the local law enforcement for a copy of the accident report in your riding area. In Oregon, no such stats are kept for riders having an accident that do not wear a helmet for off-road riding. There are a number of things that are recorded, such as alcohol levels if drinking and riding are suspected. But not the wearing or lack of helmets . The next time I am on dune patrol, I'll be happy grab one of those accident reports and fax one to you.
Marky
I disagree - like I have said, I know that stats and regulations for the State of Oregon. Other states, I do not know.
For the other readers, I suggest you ask the local law enforcement for a copy of the accident report in your riding area. In Oregon, no such stats are kept for riders having an accident that do not wear a helmet for off-road riding. There are a number of things that are recorded, such as alcohol levels if drinking and riding are suspected. But not the wearing or lack of helmets . The next time I am on dune patrol, I'll be happy grab one of those accident reports and fax one to you.
Marky
Please read the post before mine from Bill (MUDDY4LIFE). He's an ATV safety instructor. Take a wild guess what he recommends!!! He also makes a beautiful point (GREAT POINT BILL!!!) about how YOUR decision to NOT wear a helmet directly affects YOUR family and friends. When you're a vegetable, sitting in a wheelchair, and you're waiting for someone to come over and change your soiled diaper, you'll know at that moment that it's too late to put on your helmet and that all of those people "who told you so" were correct in their assessment. Well, unfortunately, you probably still won't realize it under those circumstances...
Can you see the irony here?
Wear your lid, man!
I actually understand your point. I am simply saying that always wearing a helmet for me, with my condition, isn't always the safest thing. Look, I dont want to do harm to myself, which is why I dont wear a helmet all the time. Like I said, I am nearly deaf, and have avoided accidents by hearing other quads while riding in the trails. Trail rides in the sand are riden at about 10 mph -15 mph. Other quads crossing my path can be avoided by hearing them first. I never said that I never wear my helmet. In fact, most of the time I ride I do. When I am dune dragging, or riding in the open desert at high speeds, I always wear it. If I ride on the street, its silly not to. My point is, with off-road, its not as black and white as some people think.
As far as the closures, statistics, accident reports, politics, you're the one that kept bringing that up dude. You know, you just need to step back for a minute, and think about what I am saying. Things are NOT as black and white as you may think. But, if you really want to understand, try putting some ear plugs in your ears, put a helmet on, and travel on some dune trails. In the 5 years I've been riding, I have not had one dune trail accident (and I ride a lot!). I've avoided at least 50 over same period. In that same time, I have assisted with at least 20 accidents which were the result of other quad riders crashing into each other.
The fact is, the speed, sand, terrain, and the noise are the considerations that lead to a sane person making an educated decision on when to wear and not to wear; a fact that you are failing to understand. I'm not saying that people should not wear a helmet, I am saying that its possible to be safer in some instances without one. However, if you are a 'Black & White' kinda guy, and can't make an educated decision, then you should wear one. If you are not familar with the dune terrain, wear one. If you are traveling over 15mph, wear one. If you are riding on the street, for God's sake, wear one!
You know I dont wear a helmet when I walk down the street. Because when I cross a street, I look and listen. If I cant hear, than I my chances of an accident go up. I dont have a deathwish. Quite frankly, its pretty clear that you must think that I do. But quite the opposite is true. There are people that wont even go out of thier house because they are afraid of everything. The fact is, you have many many more accidents driving your car then you will ever have riding your quad on the dunes. I simply am choosing what's safest for me. And for you to insist that you know more about my situation is really quite silly. What are you my mother? If you are totally paranoid and scared that you will have an accident, then by all means, build a cage around your quad and call it a pilot. You know, I dont have anything against you personally, but do you think its possible that a guy in the auto-repair industry, that see's crashed cars all day long might loose his objectivity? What industry did you say you were in?
Look I am completely comfortable with my decision, and I'll live longer and have better insurance rates for it. And, you don't see me in here telling you to NOT wear a helmet. But you know, if you insist on preaching your heaven or hell, black & white, good or bad religion, then by all means - keep it up, whatever turns your crank - its a free country. Life is never what you think it is, or what they tell you it is.
Marky
Jan 31, 2004 | 02:17 PM
#75
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,572
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TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
Listen,
Im damn near 47 yrs old,been an AVID 3 and 4 wheeler since 1983.I am also DEAF in my left ear,have been since birth.And in 21 yrs of riding ATVs,I have allways road with my helmet and cannot think of ONE incidence that wearing my helmet hindered my hearing to the extent of not being able to ''hear'' other motorized vehicles so as to avoid a potential accident on the trailway.Now keep in mind,im DEAF in my left ear,and wear a FULL FACE helmet.
To me,the excuse to not wear a helmet so you can hear other ATVs on the trailway is a very LAME excuse at best.
IM LIVING proof of this.
Bill
ATV Safety Instructor
Im damn near 47 yrs old,been an AVID 3 and 4 wheeler since 1983.I am also DEAF in my left ear,have been since birth.And in 21 yrs of riding ATVs,I have allways road with my helmet and cannot think of ONE incidence that wearing my helmet hindered my hearing to the extent of not being able to ''hear'' other motorized vehicles so as to avoid a potential accident on the trailway.Now keep in mind,im DEAF in my left ear,and wear a FULL FACE helmet.
To me,the excuse to not wear a helmet so you can hear other ATVs on the trailway is a very LAME excuse at best.
IM LIVING proof of this.
Bill
ATV Safety Instructor
Jan 31, 2004 | 02:29 PM
#78
Pro Rider
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 0
TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
Originally posted by: modquad
With all the advancements in composite construction, helmets are stronger, lighter, and more comfortable than ever. Don't be stupid, wear one!
With all the advancements in composite construction, helmets are stronger, lighter, and more comfortable than ever. Don't be stupid, wear one!
Dont be stupid, read my post, I do! just not all the time.
Jan 31, 2004 | 02:35 PM
#79
Trailblazer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
Originally posted by: MUDDY4LIFE
Listen,
Im damn near 47 yrs old,been an AVID 3 and 4 wheeler since 1983.I am also DEAF in my left ear,have been since birth.And in 21 yrs of riding ATVs,I have allways road with my helmet and cannot think of ONE incidence that wearing my helmet hindered my hearing to the extent of not being able to ''hear'' other motorized vehicles so as to avoid a potential accident on the trailway.Now keep in mind,im DEAF in my left ear,and wear a FULL FACE helmet.
To me,the excuse to not wear a helmet so you can hear other ATVs on the trailway is a very LAME excuse at best.
IM LIVING proof of this.
Bill
ATV Safety Instructor
Listen,
Im damn near 47 yrs old,been an AVID 3 and 4 wheeler since 1983.I am also DEAF in my left ear,have been since birth.And in 21 yrs of riding ATVs,I have allways road with my helmet and cannot think of ONE incidence that wearing my helmet hindered my hearing to the extent of not being able to ''hear'' other motorized vehicles so as to avoid a potential accident on the trailway.Now keep in mind,im DEAF in my left ear,and wear a FULL FACE helmet.
To me,the excuse to not wear a helmet so you can hear other ATVs on the trailway is a very LAME excuse at best.
IM LIVING proof of this.
Bill
ATV Safety Instructor
By the way, when discussing a topic as serious as wearing your helmet, it is as simple as "black and white". There's no gray area when it comes to safety!
Feb 3, 2004 | 03:42 AM
#80
Extreme Pro Rider
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 0
TO HELMET, OR NOT TO HELMET THAT IS THE QUESTION
Here a question from another post. My reply is mostly due to a lot of the responses I read to the question, not this guy in particular. I have read some of the responses to your question, and I just don't get it. How can people be so ignorant to say they know their abilities and the machines abilities so they don't wear a helmet????????? My god, come on people.................
Shi@ Happens........ Look up the definition of ACCIDENT. People don't roll their quad over, off a cliff, into trees, or get thrown off on purpose (usually [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] ). I know my abilities, didn't stop me from hitting one of the 400 tree roots on the trail and rolling my quad over (you can't miss 'em all)
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Originally posted by: BuckMark
Most of the riding I do is on a farm where I hunt. Mainly on dirt roads around the edges of fields that you could handle in a good four wheel drive jeep. Nobody does any hot ******* or speeding around just getting from A to B. I have to admit none of us wear a helmet. I am seraiously considering one to help fight off the cold wind and any mishaps. Maybe we are pressing our luck, thoughts.
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Maybe we are pressing our luck, thoughts
What an understatement that is. I can agree that as long as it is not a law, everybody has their own right to wear or not wear a helmet. Goes with all the other rights we have. But I don't understand why anybody would not wear one. Even an open face helmet is better than nothing. Doesn't protect your face, but good lucks are way over rated . It doesn't take a lot of speed and crazy riding to fall over and hit your nugget. If it didn't, people wouldn't have to wear bicycle helmets. I don't understand why somebody would want to be selfish enough to say they don't want to wear one because it takes away from the ride. Slap me for saying this, but: Wearing a condom takes away from good s@#, but guys wear them because they don't want a disease or a baby!!! Lot's of opinions on this one, but what's worse: knocking your head on a rock or something and getting killed or being a vegetable the rest of your life: or getting some little disease or having a kid??????? Ask your family and friends their thought.
It's because of ignorance and the thought that "it won't happen to me", that people get killed and/or get severe head trauma because they don't wear a helmet. I'll bet most of those that don't wear a helmet, wear a seatbelt when they are in a car. That isn't the most comfortable thing to wear either. If there were no risks, or the risk vs benefit was even low enough, I wouldn't want to wear a helmet either. But it's NOT, the risk is HIGH. Some will throw out the old, "you could get hit crossing the street" or something idiotic analogy that anything can happen any time. My answer is, yep you are right. But if there is a good tool or some good way to help prevent an accident or bodily injury, WHY NOT USE IT ????????????????????????????????????????
Whewwwwwwwwwwww