The good news on brain injury..   

1. Bike helmets can prevent up to 88 % of brain injuries when used properly
2. Skiers and snowboarders who wear helmets reduce their risk for head injuries by 60 %

 What you can do to help prevent a brain injury…

 -Encourage kids to be active, but ensure they get proper training, wear the gear, and are able to effectively navigate risks.

 -Be a role model: as parents, coaches and educators it is important to model safe, responsible behaviours like wearing a properly fitted helmet during appropriate activities, and buckling up in the car    

Each severe brain injury costs our medical system over $400,000 at the time of injury. Costs remain approximately the same each year following the incident due to indirect expenses and follow-up treatment

Although catastrophic brain injuries in sports and recreation can affect anyone, boys/men are affected four times as frequently as girls/women

Wondering what helmet to wear?

· Skateboarding, In-line skating and Scooters – Because falls are common in these activities, helmets for skateboarding, in-line skating and scooters should cover the back of the head to better protect against backward falls and withstand multiple impacts. A skateboard or in-line skating helmet should not be used for bicycle riding unless specified on the label. No  standards have been set for scooter helmets.

 Multi-sport helmets – Some helmets are marketed as “multi-sport” meaning they meet safety standards for more than one activity (such as skateboarding and in-line skating). Be sure the helmet you buy has been tested for the activities you will be using it for.

Field Sports – Team field sports, such as football, baseball/so-ball and lacrosse, have helmets specific to the kinds of hazards each sport presents. Football and lacrosse require face protectors on helmets because of the level of contact between players and equipment.·

Hockey – Multiple impact helmets are intended to protect your head from impacts due to falls on ice and collisions with the boards. Hockey helmets are also recommended for ice skating and tobogganing.

Skiing and snowboarding – Ski helmets can be single- or multiple-impact helmets (check the manufacturer’s label) and cover more of the back of the head than a bicycle helmet.

 Ice skating and Sledding/ tobogganing – While specific ice skating and sledding helmets have not been developed, ice hockey helmets (skating and sledding) and ski helmets (sledding) are an option because they are designed to protect the head in all directions in icy conditions.

Researchers estimate that 90 % of all injuries are predictable and preventable Remember: Most crashes aren’t accidents, but predictable, preventable events. Change the way you speak about these events to change social perception 

———————- The  Ottawa Injury Blog is written regularly by Ottawa Ontario personal injury lawyer David Hollingsworth. Since 1999, David has been an Ottawa injury lawyer representing Ottawa accident victims and the families of accident victims who have lost a loved one in an Ontario accident. This blog reports on accidents in eastern Ontario, personal injury issues, local Ottawa news and events and various news that relates to Ottawa, accidents and personal injury.  Visit www.ottawainjury.ca for more information. If you have a question, feel free to call or email david@ottawainjury.ca  (613) 978-9549

Ottawa Ontario Personal Injury Lawyer David Hollingsworth, Brain Injury and Head Injury Lawyers in Ottawa, Ontario