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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Could Helmet Have Saved Richardson?

Celeb's ski accident renews debate on safety gear

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(Newser) – Natasha Richardson’s crippling accident while taking beginner's lessons has renewed the ski-helmet debate, the New York Times reports. Safety gear is more popular today—43% of Americans donned helmets last ski season, up from 25% 5 years prior—but still not required. Critics point out that fatalities haven’t decreased despite the precaution, and they worry that perceived security could encourage more reckless behavior.

“Typically, in the scenario that results in death, you need something more than a helmet to save you,” says a professor who tracks ski deaths. Sales boomed recently in Europe after the much-publicized case of a helmet-less woman died following an on-slope collision with a German politician, the Times notes.

Richardson's injuries have sparked a debate over making helmets mandatory.
Richardson's injuries have sparked a debate over making helmets mandatory.   (AP Photo)
Richardson was laughing and joking after her fall on the beginner's slope during lessons, but had throbbing head pain an hour later.
Richardson was laughing and joking after her fall on the beginner's slope during lessons, but had throbbing head pain an hour later.   (AP Photo)
Richardson is reportedly brain dead after her injuries.
Richardson is reportedly brain dead after her injuries.   (AP Photo)
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lthurman
Mar 18, 09 4:43 PM CDT
Just like anti-helmet cyclists, they try to use stats out of context, out of time frames to excuse their selfish ways. If you don't want to wear a helmet, don't, but don't try to justify it, take responsibility for it. If they (skiers/cyclists/bikers,etc.)have a head injury a helmet would have prevented,leave them lay. Wear a bracelet with DNR on it if head injured. Reply
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Adapt-Overcome
Mar 18, 09 5:39 PM CDT
I ride as often as the weather permits, sometimes with a helmet sometimes not. Highway yes, country roads, no. I had a stroke sitting at my computer doing work and could have died. I could easily walk out side and get hit by a bus or drunk driver and helmet wouldn't save me. When your time is up--it's up. We knew someone who ALWAYS wore a helmet and had an accident and broke their neck...had another friend never wore a helmet and had scrapes and bruises from an idiot who cut them off. The biggest danger for bikers is not the helmet or no helmet....it's idiots in cars and trucks that cut them off to closely or tailgate them. When I'm in my vehicle, I always respect a bike and give it space, most people don't. Reply
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oldgoat
Mar 19, 09 3:12 AM CDT
Wearing a helmet has been shown to save lives plain and simple. Yes you can come up with cases where someone lost their life even though they were wearing one and lived even thuogh they didn't. Since you can't control what others do then you need to do what you can to protect yourself. Of course I can also say that I've seen many on sport bikes that weave in and out of traffic are their own worst enemy. I guess if you want to leave your family withuot you that is fine just because you wanted to try to beat the odds and not wear a helmet. Reply
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Even on bunny hills, consider helmets
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She was fine for an hour afterwards
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