Are cameras tougher than skulls?

[classic33]

PPE fail?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

With observation skills as poor as that I hope he hasn't got access to a car. He needs to concentrate on the cause of the crash (lack of skills) more than the helmet that may or may not have had any effect.

GC

 

[winjim]

It reminds me of this...

A Fence or an Ambulance?

'Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, "Put a fence 'round the edge of the cliff,"
Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."

But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became full of pity
For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.

"For the cliff is all right, if you’re careful," they said,
"And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below when they're stopping."
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulance down in the valley.

Then an old sage remarked: "It's a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they'd much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief," cried he,
"Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley."

"Oh he's a fanatic," the others rejoined,
"Dispense with the ambulance? Never!
He'd dispense with all charities, too, if he could;
No! No! We'll support them forever.
Aren't we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?
And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?
Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,
While the ambulance works in the valley?"

But the sensible few, who are practical too,
Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;
They believe that prevention is better than cure,
And their party will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen,
And while other philanthropists dally,
They will scorn all pretense, and put up a stout fence
On the cliff that hangs over the valley.

Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling.
"To rescue the fallen is good, but 'tis best
To prevent other people from falling."
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence 'round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.

-- Joseph Malins (1895)

The poem is of course allegorical whereas the incident in question reminds me of it in a more literal sense.

 

[mjr]

Blooming heck @JMAG. I feel unlucky if I come off twice in a YEAR. Are you riding obstacle courses or something? Please take care: it sounds like it might be only a matter of time before you hit something most helmets aren't designed to cope with, like a rock.

 

[Dan B]

My rather simplistic take on it is that if I had to headbut a brick wall (or a tarmac road) and was given the choice of doing so with or without a helmet, I would go with the helmet.

See, I look at it from a slightly different perspective. If I was given the choice between riding like a twat and possibly headbutting a brick wall, or riding sensibly for the conditions, taking notice of road signs etc and getting there slightly later, I would go with the longer journey time. I'm totally happy for others to make their own choice though.

 

[ufkacbln]

Training sensible riding and experience count as they reduce accidents

That is the sensible approach... Reduce the accidents as opposed to trying on a scientifically unproven piece of kit to reduce injuries when the accident happens

Leaving aside the melons......

Which hurts less;

Hitting your head against a brick wall
Hitting your helmeted head against a brick wall

Or the far more sensible and easier ...

Not hitting your head against a brick wall at all

 

[Spinney]

Mod Note: mistakes will happen - apologies for the deletions that some of you noticed - the deleted posts have been reinstated.

('Twasn't me, but the moderator in question is not on line at the moment.)

As you were...

 

[steveindenmark]

Having just been in a similar situation I can only agree with Neal. You cannot tell what his head hit or didnt hit by the footage. But he certainly will, as I did. I dont know if mine saved my life but I know for certain it saved me a lot of road rash to my forehead.

I have 4 helmets but more often wear a Buff or Cap. After my fall it is going to be helmet every time from now on. We are all adults and we must all make our own choices.

I came away with a broken finger but it could have been far worse.

Cunobelin, i have ridden thousands of miles over 50 years and my recent spill is the only time I have been off. I am sure Neal is very experienced but accidents happen.

 

[JMAG]

@Dan B, you're talking about accident prevention rather than protection. You don't have to be riding like a twat to come a cropper. Sometimes other road users cause accidents no matter how careful you are. Otherwise, people wouldn't get run over walking on pavements and lamposts wouldn't be involved in so many collisions!

Accidents are just that. I never had an accident in 20 odd years of riding motorbikes even though I had my fair share of cars trying to murder me. That requires luck as well as care.

 

[mjr]

I have not yet left the bike due to an accident. I have crashed due to errors by myself and others. Actual accidents where no one is to blame are very rare and I doubt your helmets are tested against most of them.

 

[steveindenmark]

I have not yet left the bike due to an accident. I have crashed due to errors by myself and others. Actual accidents where no one is to blame are very rare and I doubt your helmets are tested against most of them.

Mine was of my own making and nobody else was involved. In general terms I would still think it is referred to as an accident.......I didnt do it on purpose, honest.

 

[Scoosh]

Mod Note:
Oooops !

My apologies to those who had their posting pleasure 'disturbed'.

Thanks to @mjray for Reporting my errant post.

I have given myself a 1-day Thread Ban.

 

[Poacher]

Mod Note:
Oooops !

My apologies to those who had their posting pleasure 'disturbed'.

Thanks to @mjray for Reporting my errant post.

I have given myself a 1-day Thread Ban.

Don't beat yourself up, @Scoosh, a few deletions are better than knocking the thread on the head completely...er......

 

[ufkacbln]

Don't beat yourself up, @Scoosh, a few deletions are better than knocking the thread on the head completely...er......

Have we tried:
Knocking the thread on the head whilst it is wearing a helmet
Knocking the thread on its head when it wasn't wearing a helmet
Knocking the thread on its head whilst it was wearing a melon

What was the result and do threads need to wear helmets just in case a moderator knocks them on the head?