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why EVERYONE who climbs should ALWAYS wear a helmet

Original Post
Wayne Crill · · an Altered State · Joined Jan 2003 · Points: 375

An interesting study on motorcycle helmet use and the money saved in helath care costs by states which have mandatory helmet laws due to reduced hospitalization injury treatment here

The obvious logical extension is that the government should enforce mandatory helmet laws for climbers as well since it will save them money. However, not included in the above analysis is the health care job creation involved in caring for all the traumatic brain injuries that result from motorcycle (climbing) accidents that occur without helmets.....

Crag Dweller · · New York, NY · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 125

based on that logic, EVERYONE should be forced to stop drinking, smoking (anything), eating anything other than fruits and vegetables.

having said that, your obvious logical extension is neither logical or obvious. the N value of the research does not apply to climbers. If every climber was forced to wear a helmet, we might have one less death/year because seldom is the death related solely to head trauma that would have been prevented by a helmet.

i don't have the data on hand to support that argument. but, i'll bet it does.

randy88fj62 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 291

How would you enforce the law? What is defined as "climbing"? Does bouldering count? How far off the ground? Would 18 year olds walking on brick walls or in a tree be cited? There are too many grey areas to police.

I always wear a helmet because I believe in the added safety but I strongly oppose a law requiring such action.

slim · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2004 · Points: 1,103

what about wearing one in the harding slot? seems like a choking hazard....

a d · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 5

There are a lot of holes in that study.

They are coming up with this "savings" number by adding medial COSTS to potential wages EARNED. These should not be simply combined into the same pot.

Moreover, I'm willing to bet it costs a hell of a lot more keeping someone on life support or even going through just a few surgeries after he helmet saved their life, than burying the person. Far more likely to be in the latter situation without a helmet.

Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265
Wayne Crill wrote:The obvious logical extension is that the government should enforce mandatory helmet laws for climbers as well since it will save them money.
By this logic, don't you think the government should also ban BASE jumping? It's dangerous and occasionally costs taxpayers money.

I'm not actually advocating for this because I'm a jumper myself, as I know you are. I'm just curious to know why you think we should embark on this slippery slope.
Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

Wayne, you should be required by law to wear a helmet at all times having had a concussion once. I will submit a bill to the state legislature next session. And no milkshakes or popcorn for you, either. New York City is right on. None of you can be trusted.

Also, everyone that thinks Wayne is serious, I think you need to apply for a license to read the Internet. This license will now be available for Boulder County Residents for a one time fee of $275.

Brendan Blanchard · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 590
Marc H wrote: By this logic, don't you think the government should also ban BASE jumping? It's dangerous and occasionally costs taxpayers money. I'm not actually advocating for this because I'm a jumper myself, as I know you are. I'm just curious to know why you think we should embark on this slippery slope.
I'm with you. The government should ban hiking because the rescues done on hikers far exceeds any cost for climber rescues.

Stay indoors kids, it's just not safe out there anymore...
Cor · · Sandbagging since 1989 · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,445

dr. thrill,

will you be wearing a helmet next time i see you out climbing? ;)

Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265
Stich wrote:Also, everyone that thinks Wayne is serious, I think you need to apply for a license to read the Internet.
Regardless of whether or not he's serious, there are way too many people in this country that follow the line of thinking that he's describing. The legislation you mentioned proposed by the Almighty Bloomberg is a perfect example of this.

It's really getting out of control.
Kevin Murphy · · Longmont, CO · Joined Feb 2005 · Points: 397

Crill u messing around. Now wait a minute. Inaudible noise. Thats better, now I have my helmet on. Back to reckless motorcycle riding.

MTN MIA · · Vail · Joined May 2006 · Points: 405

I tend to frown upon any mandatory laws........ however, I do think wearing a helmet is a good idea, and I have actually started to wear one more frequently....... Although hardly ever in any OWs for obvious reasons........

I guess it isn't so much for the risk of falling as I don't like to get hit with ice, rock, bushes, miscellaneous climbing gear etc that may come flying down from above.....

Personal choice should always be the choice!!!

Wayne Crill · · an Altered State · Joined Jan 2003 · Points: 375

lets see now how can I ......got the pot..............got a spoon....OK here we go lets see how this works out.....

I think I've got this right?

edit to add visually impaired, err I mean challenged.

Anonymous · · Unknown Hometown · Joined unknown · Points: 0

My approach is that I can do what I want. If I know that it is illegal not to wear a helmet, but I go climbing without one I have accepted the fact that the government might throw a stick at me. I quit getting mad about foolish laws awhile ago, I can't change them sure don't mean I have to follow them.

I have a funny picture in my head, me half way up the El Cap, cop on the ground yelling at me to get down or put a helmet on, cop up top yelling the same, me just chilling on a porta ledge. Wonder how they would enforce that?

Anonymous · · Unknown Hometown · Joined unknown · Points: 0

also of note... Ride motorcycles in Idaho... No helmet laws! Most fun I have ever had on a bike.

Happiegrrrl · · Gunks · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 60

It's too late for us, but perhaps science will develop a way to alter our genetic makeup so future generations are born with helmet-like heads. After all, it's not just climbing that is dangerous. Heck, LIFE is dangerous!!!

You know that picture of the mouse with the ear? Well - if you don't, here it is:

If science can grow an ear on a mouses back, how hard must it be to develop a helmet-like head?

There must a way to morph helmet materials into our genetic makeup... All babies would be born with at least a generic helmet head, but of course to be cool parents would want to have more stylish options - sort of the way the competition for the best preschool begins at birth. Not only can we save people, but we can revive the economy of the US(so long as we don't outsource R&D for these stylee Kid Lids).

Cory Harelson · · Boise, ID · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 2,410
The Dread Pirate Killis wrote:The Patriot Act was a premeditated murder of effective freedom in the middle part of this continent, the details I'm not losing sleep over. Any candidate runs on a platform of repealing the entire shebang first day in office, pass/fail, I'm registering to vote again.
Time to register
Gary Johnson
mitchy B · · nunya gotdamn business. · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 0

2nd the BD 1/2 dome, don't always wear it though. I don't think elena sera ever wore a helmet and it shows, maybe too many concussions

Hiro Protagonist · · Colorado · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 290

Agree that wearing it all the time would be your best bet, but I think it's personal choice. I'd like to see it become part of the culture. Take road and mountain biking - you're a real oddball if you aren't wearing a helment (I don't mean riding around town). I wish we didn't lean so much on the law here in the states - do it because it's smart - if you die cuz you didn't then so be it.

Also, why do so many of you only put it (helmet) on when you're on the climb? And then sometimes only when you are on lead? Most helmets don't provide any side protection, so rockfall is probably more than 50% of what you're being protected against (the other 50% being the upside down case?). Rocks+gravity don't care if you're climbing, belaying or drinking a PBR.

My sobering STORY - climbing with a friend a month ago in Boulder Canyon, lower bihedral or similar. A rock flew by close enough to my friend's head to skim her hair, it must have been the size of a golf ball or larger. And it was going fast enough that I just saw a blur, the main hint being the clunk it made on the ground.

Now I put on my helmet when we're close enough to get hit by rocks which have fallen, picked up speed and are now speeding away from the face.

WISH list - really would like good sun visor options to protect face and neck while standing out in that blistering sun.

Be safe, happy climbing...

Matt N · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 415
alexdavis wrote:Moreover, I'm willing to bet it costs a hell of a lot more keeping someone on life support or even going through just a few surgeries after he helmet saved their life, than burying the person. Far more likely to be in the latter situation without a helmet.
Worth repeating. The study missed this part.
bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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