Skateboard Injuries
With the current youth's opinion that helmets and protective padding standing strong are "dorky" or "uncool," most children skating in skate parks choose not to wear them. And considering the parks remain unsupervised, skate-at-your-own-risk facilities, it has become easier then ever to get away with it.
Helmets have been shown in studies to reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by 90 percent.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,600 persons need hospital emergency room treatment each year for injuries related to skateboarding. Fractures are frequent occurrences, and death as a result of collisions with motor vehicles and falls are also reported.
Neurosurgeon Dr. David Shafron said skateboard injuries are common among patients he sees annually, with concussions ranking highest among these injuries.
"Concussions are by far the most common thing I see, meaning their level of alertness has been altered in any way, they are not necessarily knocked out," he said. "I usually get more involved when there's a loss of consciousness or skull fracture."
These statistics are serious. My own children are not enticed by skateboards (thank goodness) yet they do love to glide around on "wheelies." It scares me to death.
I remember as a child never wearing a helmet to ride my 10 speed. But who would do so today? The fact is safety may not be fashionable but it should be.
Hello Tim,
How are you? First and foremost - I think this blogs are awesome and extremely educational...
2nd of all, I wanted to pick your brain for a moment to get your candid view on hyperbaric treatments. I have an advertiser who does HBO (I used to market it at Vencor Hospital years ago for certain dx.) this doctor does it in a mono-place chamber and asked me to put a marketing campaign together for him in addition to his regular advertising.
What is your view on it? Does it work on injury patients? Do you like it? Do you not? Would you refer for it or does it primarily come from the primary care doctor?
Your insight would be - AS ALWAYS - very much appreciated before I get too knee deep in creating a campaign.
Thank you!
Lisa
The problem is all the Skateboard Videos and Magazines Glamourize head injuries, its seen as a sign of coolness and even masculinity to skate without a helmet and be unfazed by head injuries.
Its messed up, innocent kids get brainwashed by the irresponsible skateboard media and end up getting brain damage from their accidents. Most skaters I know have lumps on the back of their head (signs of a fractured skull) because they hit their head hard on more than one occasion.
Just falling back onto the sidewalk can cause a skull fracture and lower your IQ by up to 10 points.
I wish A law was introduced banning media documentation of skaters doing stunts without helmets on and banning anti-helmet propaganda.
The annoying thing is, skateboarding is mainly a vain, expensive, posing fashion show and kids spend tons of money that goes to the skate industry which in turn encourages the kids to get head inuries.
Its all Steve Rocco's fault, he was an evil, destructive, bitter, irresponsible, and skateboarding ends up turning skaters into theat sort of person the longer they do it.
How do parents get TEENS to use helmets? Unless we stay right there and watch the entire time, they will take them off!!!
Hey guys,
I am a teen and Yes, protective pads are very dorky. However, I always wear a helmet and most other kids i see do too. I have had no injuries that called for the emergency room or any room. I love skateboarding and my life would be dull without it.
i try to be safe. I don't agree with most of the comments though, because John Owen seems to think skating is a bad thing. Most kids don't do it to be cool either! ITS VERY FUN! And the guy above is scared when his kids do wheelies. WOW! Anyway im safe!
Could someone please help a concerned father out and point me in the direction of skateboarding helmet laws in Las Vegas. I have a teenage daughter who has a new friend who enjoys skating. I encourage Molly to try new things, with in reason. She's a good kid asking Mom and I if this new venture would be alright. Mom and I did share our concerns which came off unsupportive to our teen. In truth the girl does get 99% of all she asks for and will be getting her board too. Which will soon be sitting next to her bikes, in-line skates, and scooter in 3months, I'm OK with that! I just figure if I know and understand the laws surrounding this activity I can better help mom feel better about it as well. And we all can be clear on what is safe responsible ridding. Both by law and as concerned parents!
Thanks for whatever help can be offered...
Carl Foster!
hi,
not trying to critisize you personnally, but i dont think alot of this information is accurate, these statistics could be flawed, many skateboarders dont even aproach skate parks yet alone hills... personally i fiend extreme sports, skateboards, longboards, mountain bikes, skiis, snowboards, roller blades, paintball, mountain climbing. The list goes on, and as a 15 year old, living in toronto, i personally have had two concussions. One from playing tackle football, and the other from being close lined. never have i been seriously injured myself, infact the last time i broke a bone was when i was 8 and i was bowling... i agree that helmets are important and should be worn for some sports, those including skiis, snowboards, skateboarding (in the skate park or at high speeds on the road)and biking. The reason i decided to leave this little note at the end of your blog was because my father tried to show me that longboards are helmet requiring, he couldnt find ANY SUFFICIENT PROOF and infact many websites with real, proven and explained stats showed that basketball, is twice as dangerous and injury leading then skateboarding, in the park and otherwise. id like to show him, as well as all of you, that you should look beyond the bias in blogs, and articles.
Thanks
Hit me up with questions (or hatemail if your gonna be that guy) at amitball@hotmail.com
hi,
not trying to critisize you personnally, but i dont think alot of this information is accurate, these statistics could be flawed, many skateboarders dont even aproach skate parks yet alone hills... personally i fiend extreme sports, skateboards, longboards, mountain bikes, skiis, snowboards, roller blades, paintball, mountain climbing. The list goes on, and as a 15 year old, living in toronto, i personally have had two concussions. One from playing tackle football, and the other from being close lined. never have i been seriously injured myself, infact the last time i broke a bone was when i was 8 and i was bowling... i agree that helmets are important and should be worn for some sports, those including skiis, snowboards, skateboarding (in the skate park or at high speeds on the road)and biking. The reason i decided to leave this little note at the end of your blog was because my father tried to show me that longboards are helmet requiring, he couldnt find ANY SUFFICIENT PROOF and infact many websites with real, proven and explained stats showed that basketball, is twice as dangerous and injury leading then skateboarding, in the park and otherwise. id like to show him, as well as all of you, that you should look beyond the bias in blogs, and articles.
Thanks
Hit me up with questions (or hatemail if your gonna be that guy) at amitball@hotmail.com
hi,
not trying to critisize you personnally, but i dont think alot of this information is accurate, these statistics could be flawed, many skateboarders dont even aproach skate parks yet alone hills... personally i fiend extreme sports, skateboards, longboards, mountain bikes, skiis, snowboards, roller blades, paintball, mountain climbing. The list goes on, and as a 15 year old, living in toronto, i personally have had two concussions. One from playing tackle football, and the other from being close lined. never have i been seriously injured myself, infact the last time i broke a bone was when i was 8 and i was bowling... i agree that helmets are important and should be worn for some sports, those including skiis, snowboards, skateboarding (in the skate park or at high speeds on the road)and biking. The reason i decided to leave this little note at the end of your blog was because my father tried to show me that longboards are helmet requiring, he couldnt find ANY SUFFICIENT PROOF and infact many websites with real, proven and explained stats showed that basketball, is twice as dangerous and injury leading then skateboarding, in the park and otherwise. id like to show him, as well as all of you, that you should look beyond the bias in blogs, and articles.
Thanks
Hit me up with questions (or hatemail if your gonna be that guy) at amitball@hotmail.com