I'm a paramedic in B.C.
Last year we had a call to a local riding area. An 18 year old fellow had ridden all day and he wore a chest protector as well as all the safety gear. After the days riding he went back to the truck parking area and took off the helmet and chest protector and chatted up his riding buddies before loading up the bike. Then he decided to have just one more run and popped just the helmet on. He was going up a steep hill on a well worn trail and another rider was on the hill who hadn't made it and was stopped on the trail a little to one side. Buddy went around him a bit into the bush, keeping up his speed and momentum so he could make the hill.
Turns out there was a dead broken off treetop snag laying pointed down the hill and buddy didn't see it and ran it right through his heart. Shut him off instantly like a light switch. There was nothing to be done.
Wear the protector. You never know.

 

thats a TERRIBLE story... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] Goes to show you never know when stuff can happen. I have heard of the stoires of poepl loading ther quads on a tailer and flipping over, causing head trauma and in some cases Coma and death. You never can be too safe . [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Yes, that is a sad story[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

My children wear chest protectors[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] After riding trails this past weekend with other atver's[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I really never experienced, all the stuff that can be thrown at you[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] while following others at a decent speed on the trails[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] Usually, I'm just following my kids at their speed. Anyways, after seeing and hearing numerous stories about rocks, mud and tree branches being tossed around[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] I am seriously considering a chest protector as my next purchase, for the wife and myself.
I also almost learned the hard way like TNT said, loading a quad on to a trailer with a ramp. Luckily, I jumped clear. You just never know[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Ride Safe:0

 

I cant imagine ever riding without a chest protector. Glenlivet's story is a reminder of why I do! Very Sad.
my motto is "Dress for the crash, not the ride"