Helmets protect more than your head

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kyle Johnson
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  It’s reason enough to wear a helmet because it can prevent head injury, but they are realistically protecting much more than that.

“We had a service member a couple years ago fly over the edge of a blind cliff while snowboarding and land on his head,” said Patty Raymond Turner, Alaska and Hawaii regional education coordinator with the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center currently working at the JBER Hospital’s TBI Clinic. “He had a concussion, but had he not been wearing a helmet, he probably would have had a more severe traumatic brain injury or not survived at all.”

Because he was wearing a helmet, the service member was able to continue serving, Turner said.

Helmets protect career, family and life.

In the case of a sudden jolt or impact, the brain can collide internally with the skull, potentially causing injury. In America, about 1.7 million people are seen for a mild, moderate or severe TBI every year, 75 percent of which are concussions, Turner said. Out of that 1.7 million, about 52,000 die every year. In the past 17 years, 350,000 service members have been treated for a TBI of some kind.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates only one of every nine victims seeks treatment. That is more than 11 million [traumatic brain] injuries a year – roughly the population of New York City, Turner said.

There are a few different severities of TBI, each caused by a variety of circumstances, Turner said, but the most common is a ‘mild’ traumatic brain injury, which we know more commonly as a concussion. More than 80 percent of all TBIs treated at the JBER Hospital are mild, and many people never realize they have had one.

Symptoms of a concussion often resolve within a few days or weeks. If coupled with other stressors on the body like sickness, bodily injury or mental fatigue, symptoms may last longer, Turner said.

That’s why it’s vital to see a doctor if any suspicion of traumatic brain injury from trauma to the head exists.

Some possible symptoms of a mild TBI are: Headache, memory problems and mood swings. For a severe TBI, some possible symptoms include depression, difficulty with speech and seizures.

For a comprehensive list of mild and severe TBI symptoms, visit www.dvbic.dcoe.mil.

Death as a result of sleeping after a concussion is a myth, Turner said.

“When a doctor checks you out, they look for bleeding in or around the brain and skull fractures, all more severe things that can happen as a result of head trauma,” Turner said. “If you have a concussion, you should rest, turn lights off if they’re bothering you, stay away from loud noises, computer and television use, and if you need a nap, take a nap.”

As a general rule, see a doctor immediately if there’s any concern.

While there’s currently no way to ensure absolute protection, the best way to reduce risk of a TBI – or worse – is by wearing the proper safety gear when enjoying the outdoors.

There are significant differences between bicycle, snowboard, motorcycle, snow machine and all-terrain vehicle helmets, so make sure helmets are up-to-par and are correctly donned before use. Also, make sure you are wearing the proper helmets for each specific activity.

The helmet certification, position, side straps, buckles, chin strap and final fitting should all be checked before placing someone’s life under its protection.

A helmet’s certification can be found on a sticker inside, sometimes underneath the liner, if it has one. A list of different helmets and their certifications can be found at https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/sports-fitness-and-recreation-bicycles/which-helmet-which-activity.

For bicycle helmets, the helmet should sit level and have only one or two finger-widths above the eyebrow, Turner said.

The side straps should connect in a “V” slightly under and in front of the ears, and the chin strap should be snug, leaving room to open your mouth comfortably – no more than one or two fingers should fit under the strap.

Lastly, the helmet should not rock back and forth with sudden movement.

As a general rule, a helmet should be snug, but not so tight as to result in headaches, and there shouldn’t be any gaps between the head and the helmet, Turner said.

Children zero to four years old and 15 to 19 years old have the highest rate of TBIs out of any age group other than the elderly, Turner said. Parents, ensure children are protected by visiting www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/index.html.

For more information contact the JBER Hospital TBI Clinic at 580-0014.

If there is any doubt, check it out.