Forget vanity
Mar. 18th, 2009 08:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pecuniumNatasha Richardson is dead. It was, probably, preventable.
1:Wear a helmet. Right there, she probably walks away from it. You may think helmets make you look silly. You may think they make you look scared. You may think they make you look less than completely competent.
Who cares? Really, why should you care?
I ride horses. I wear a helmet. I ride a bicycle. I wear a helmet. When I ride in a military vehicle, I wear a helmet. When I do technical climbing on live rock, I wear a helmet. When I rappel, I wear a helmet.
When I've fallen off of horses, and bicycles, and rocks... I've been lucky enough to only need to replace the helmet. It's pretty cruel of me. My friends and family miss out on the chance to visit me in hospital. I don't get to become an activist for those who are paralyzed; going before Congress to argue for more research.
You know what else they miss out on? My early death.
All I do is stimulate the economy by spending the money for another helmet; and providing more data to the manufacturers, so they can improve them (if your helmet maker does a deal, where they sell you a replacement at a reduced rate for returns of damaged helmets, do it. If they don't, send it to them anyway).
The second thing which was done wrong was to refuse medical attention.
Head injuries are deceptive. One can feel fine, and have a depressed fracture. The blood build pressure on the brain until, all of a sudden one falls down and dies. A concussion can be similarly fatal, hours after the injury. If you see stars, think about seeing a doctor. If you were traveling faster than your legs can propel, don't think about it, do it.
1:Wear a helmet. Right there, she probably walks away from it. You may think helmets make you look silly. You may think they make you look scared. You may think they make you look less than completely competent.
Who cares? Really, why should you care?
I ride horses. I wear a helmet. I ride a bicycle. I wear a helmet. When I ride in a military vehicle, I wear a helmet. When I do technical climbing on live rock, I wear a helmet. When I rappel, I wear a helmet.
When I've fallen off of horses, and bicycles, and rocks... I've been lucky enough to only need to replace the helmet. It's pretty cruel of me. My friends and family miss out on the chance to visit me in hospital. I don't get to become an activist for those who are paralyzed; going before Congress to argue for more research.
You know what else they miss out on? My early death.
All I do is stimulate the economy by spending the money for another helmet; and providing more data to the manufacturers, so they can improve them (if your helmet maker does a deal, where they sell you a replacement at a reduced rate for returns of damaged helmets, do it. If they don't, send it to them anyway).
The second thing which was done wrong was to refuse medical attention.
Head injuries are deceptive. One can feel fine, and have a depressed fracture. The blood build pressure on the brain until, all of a sudden one falls down and dies. A concussion can be similarly fatal, hours after the injury. If you see stars, think about seeing a doctor. If you were traveling faster than your legs can propel, don't think about it, do it.
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no subject
Date: 2009-03-19 01:49 pm (UTC)As a skier, I understand the mindset as to why she wasn't wearing a helmet on the bunny slope and it doesn't have to do with dorky (well, i'm not saying there isn't some of that, but my supposition is that it's not the main reason). It has to do with the slope is usually so gradual and you're not moving fast, how could you seriously injure yourself??!! Well, gee, you can. I'm not saying it's right to think that way, but I admit I never think about an adult wearing a helmet when they are on a bunny slope for that reason. Earlier this season I took a friend out for the first time and didn't think bunny slope = helmet. Shame on me and how stupid have I been? Our bodies are fragile, I KNOW that. Tsk. I have decided that the next time I take a newbie skiing they have to wear a helmet. Hopefully some good will come out of this and people will realize that you should wear a helmet at all times skiing - first time to experienced. Maybe ski resorts should mandate that if you rent their equipment, a helmet is not optional (right now, it's an extra rental that you opt in or out of).
The biggest selling point I always tell skiers who still don't wear a helmet is that it keeps your head WARM. My god, it's fantastic. I don't have to wear a hat at all. Helmet, goggles and something to cover my mouth and cheeks. suh-weet.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-20 04:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-23 08:49 pm (UTC)