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Safety Hats?
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    Posted: 16 Oct 09 at 8:30am

I've been hospitalised from a crack on the head from a Laser boom (whilst rigging!), but I still wouldn't wear a hat - the risk just seems to low to bother to me.  But at the RYA Outboard thing I linked to, it was only a Force 1.  Even if you were clonked on the head, you'd just shrug it off, or get a small bump. Fair enough stopping brain damage but I don't think we should be stopping children getting bumps and bruises - they are an important part of life.

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Medway Maniac View Drop Down
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Posts: 2788 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 09 at 9:42am

This is somewhat reminiscent of the cycling helmet debate.

A lot of people were reluctant (rightly) to concede that wearing a helmet would be a good idea for some people some of the time, in case some meddling beaurocrat decided that everyone must wear one all of the time. That helped polarize the arguments which didn't help anyone.

Unfortunately both the risks of head damage and bureaucrats are real.

Personally, I feel that everyone should be aware or made aware of the risks in life then left to make their own decision. I'd apply that inter alia to buoyancy aids as well. The only flaw in my argument I can see is that youth might be peer-pressured into not-wearing. Free to choose after the age of 16? Alright, 18...
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Posts: 589 		Post Options Post Options   Quote MerlinMags Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Oct 09 at 12:19pm
I've taught at a sailing school where helmets were required above a certain wind strength. It's mainly to cover H&S / insurance problems, and less about worrying over children's skulls.

I don't like them, but it's something we have to put up with these days.
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Posts: 536 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Garry Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Oct 09 at 8:44am
I think I heard on radio 4 the other day that one of the biggest cause of deaths to healthy individuals was brain

haemorrhages, 800 a year!

 

We have bump hats for children, up to parent if they wear them.
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Posts: 2788 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Oct 09 at 9:22am

My uncle was killed when he was knocked off his bike (by an uncaring moron who got off scot-free, but that's another, typical story).

Said he felt OK but was persuaded to go to hospital where he was placed under observation. Unfortunately, the observation wasn't successful, as he died of what must have been a haemorrhage a day or so later. Bangs on the head are only harmless in films, unfortunately.

They said he would have survived had he been wearing a helmet.

I always wear one for cycling, so why don't I for sailing where I bang my head considerably more often (if, hopefully, not as hard)?
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Posts: 536 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Garry Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Oct 09 at 11:42am

Originally posted by MerlinMags

I've taught at a sailing school where helmets were required above a certain wind strength. It's mainly to cover H&S / insurance problems, and less about worrying over children's skulls.

H&S is worrying about children's skulls, cultural issue (H&S is something separate imposed by others) you highlight is even more concerning!
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Posts: 3958 		Post Options Post Options   Quote winging it Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Oct 09 at 11:34am
American college studetns have to wear safety nhelmets when pole vaulting.  That's usa for you, whre compensation culture flourishes.

I'm totally unsure about helmets.  I see some kids out in them because their parents have made them use them, also I have done work for schools where the kids have been made to wear them over a certain wind strength.  In this last instance the kids were happier when they had the helmets on.

I wouldn't wan to see clubs forced to buy them - a bit of a hole in the budget - so I suppose I'm sitting on the fence on this one.
the same, but different...

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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Oct 09 at 12:48pm
Originally posted by turnturtle

well generations of kids have gone sailing and learnt to sail without the need
for helmets... okay you'll get the occasional accident, I went to A&E once
after a clout from an Oppy boom, but nothing serious has been reported to
my knowledge.

Originally posted by winging it

...I have done work for schools where the kids have been made to wear them over a certain wind strength.  In this last instance the kids were happier when they had the helmets on.

Presumably the kids were happier wearing them because they were fearful of getting hurt.  But the fact they are offered helmets plants the suggestion that they will get hurt.  As James points out, it doesn't happen often and when it doesm its usually not serious.
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Posts: 1100 		Post Options Post Options   Quote tack'ho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Oct 09 at 4:31pm
Question is of course does the introduction of protective clothing promote risk taking?
I might be sailing it, but it's still sh**e!
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Posts: 2788 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Oct 09 at 5:19pm

Originally posted by tack'ho

Question is of course does the introduction of protective clothing promote risk taking?

I think it might when cycling - there you're constantly weighing up risks. 

But I don't think anyone would actually be likely to stick their head up into the boom's path any more with a helmet than without - it's still an unpleasant experience having your helmeted head bashed, and most bashes aren't as a result of risk-taking, more just inadvertent - such as when our attention is distracted.
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