Why People Wear Helmets Essay
What is the purpose of a helmet (i.e. why do people wear helmets)? (2):
The purpose of a helmet is in an uncontrolled environment it acts as safety gear that can minimize and prevent injury to the head. People wear helmets to “protect [themselves] from head injuries that can kill you” (Consumer Report, 2016), such as bleeding inside the skull or brain and skull fractures; with the decision to wear a helmet separating the difference of injury and disaster (Consumer Report, 2016). Helmets can also be purposeful in preventing traumatic brain injury (TBI), and when American nationwide records were analyzed of over 6,200 people by researchers at the University of Arizona in Tucson who as a result of an accident had a TBI, they concluded that wearing a helmet reduces the risk of severe injury by 58 percent (Consumer Report, 2016). Some people who use helmets for the purpose of preventing concussions …show more content…
To add further difficulty in creating a study, many mild-to-moderate cases of TBI (including concussions) are not reported. While current data indicates that helmets reduce impact forces to the brain, and therefore reducing the incidence of head injuries in general, studies have not translated into whether or not helmets reduce the rate or severity of concussions. There is hope in further helmet designs, but at this point, helmets cannot be proven to prevent concussions. (Hanna’s article) For example, in a study it was found that differences in between two models of helmets affect the ability to reduce concussion risk, thus leading to evidence of reduced injuries in relation to concussions although helmet design may never prevent all concussions (Chloe’s article). However, further study into these designs is needed, specifically into helmet designs that lessen acceleration over the continuum of impacts (chloe’s
The purpose of a helmet is in an uncontrolled environment it acts as safety gear that can minimize and prevent injury to the head. People wear helmets to “protect [themselves] from head injuries that can kill you” (Consumer Report, 2016), such as bleeding inside the skull or brain and skull fractures; with the decision to wear a helmet separating the difference of injury and disaster (Consumer Report, 2016). Helmets can also be purposeful in preventing traumatic brain injury (TBI), and when American nationwide records were analyzed of over 6,200 people by researchers at the University of Arizona in Tucson who as a result of an accident had a TBI, they concluded that wearing a helmet reduces the risk of severe injury by 58 percent (Consumer Report, 2016). Some people who use helmets for the purpose of preventing concussions …show more content…
To add further difficulty in creating a study, many mild-to-moderate cases of TBI (including concussions) are not reported. While current data indicates that helmets reduce impact forces to the brain, and therefore reducing the incidence of head injuries in general, studies have not translated into whether or not helmets reduce the rate or severity of concussions. There is hope in further helmet designs, but at this point, helmets cannot be proven to prevent concussions. (Hanna’s article) For example, in a study it was found that differences in between two models of helmets affect the ability to reduce concussion risk, thus leading to evidence of reduced injuries in relation to concussions although helmet design may never prevent all concussions (Chloe’s article). However, further study into these designs is needed, specifically into helmet designs that lessen acceleration over the continuum of impacts (chloe’s