Helmets; The Paramedics View

[Markymark]

If you a regular reader, you'd see I'm not a monster. I wrote a series of posts in 2011 having a tongue in cheek dig at all sorts of road users. Cyclists: Take note, Drivers: Take note, Pedestrians: take note. Etc etc. It wasn't meant to offend. It was meant in a way of saying if someone runs across the road without looking they are an idiot. I've apologised for saying idiot, and removed the post. You can call it back pedalling if you wish, but everyone makes the odd mistake or error of judgment and I have corrected it. I stick to my pro helmet stance, and everyone can agree or disagree.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinions. But as a paramedic they carry some weight. When you encourage cyclists to ride in the gutter or for car drivers to shout suggestions, you are potentially encouraging dangerous incidents. This then takes you beyond having an opinion and into the realms of perpetuating danger to cyclists.

 

[I like Skol]

 

[theclaud]

If you a regular reader, you'd see I'm not a monster. I wrote a series of posts in 2011 having a tongue in cheek dig at all sorts of road users. Cyclists: Take note, Drivers: Take note, Pedestrians: take note. Etc etc. It wasn't meant to offend. It was meant in a way of saying if someone runs across the road without looking they are an idiot. I've apologised for saying idiot, and removed the post. You can call it back pedalling if you wish, but everyone makes the odd mistake or error of judgment and I have corrected it. I stick to my pro helmet stance, and everyone can agree or disagree.

I think you're an idiot. Now... where's the tongue-in-cheek smiley?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Hi guys,

I am the paramedic and author of the post. Firstly, I would like to apologise for calling anyone idiots. It doesn't reflect me or my purpose of writing. Due to the threats of violence, the abuse, the threats to my employment and professional registration I have removed the posts in question. I do however stand by their content barring the term idiots.

In my 6 years as a paramedic I've see roughly 12,000 patients. Obviously some of them have been injured cyclists, either through falls or RTC, the cause of which is always either bad cycling or bad driving. I am pro helmets, I'm aware there is evidence and research against but I personally disagree with it. So much goes unreported no evidence for or against is accurate. I think helmets for children is a must until they can make an informed decision whether to or not. They don't travel at the same speeds or from the same height and as such, there benefits are much greater. This is my opinion. It is a personal blog where I share my life as a paramedic. I'm willing to debate with anyone. I didn't mean to offend, but equally didn't deserve the vile threats and abuse that I received. Have a good day and be safe.

Regards

E

You're entitled to your opinion but promoting helmet compulsion from your position as a paramedic (which too many people will think gives you credibility on the subject) requires that you present evidence to support it. So far all I've seen that passes for evidence in your blog is the "stands to reason" argument. You have a belief that they work, nothing more.

And don't assume that people who challenge your views are anti-helmet, chances are they are simply anti-compulsion.

GC

 

[diagnosisLOB]

It is interesting you have come on here. Maybe you could read through some of the helmet debates and actually read through some of the points raised and understand it a little better. Even amongst cyclists there is a gulf of opinions buy maybe you could learn a little by reading it through.

That's a fair point to make and will. I write about my experiences from heart and sometimes what I have seen can blinker opinion. I've read a lot of stuff about it and much I disagree with, but you are correct, I should and will read more of the threads on here. I just feel that what I have written has largely been blown out of proportion and taken out of context.

 

[diagnosisLOB]

You seem to have made up statistics to back up your hatred against cyclists though , why make things up ?

The statistic, I'm guessing 90% thing, was from an old post, when I started blogging. It was based on my experience. I have deleted it, and like all recent posts you'll see in general I try and offer balanced thoughts. Apologies if I offended you. It wasn't my intention

 

[Mugshot]

I think you're an idiot. Now... where's the tongue-in-cheek smiley?

This one maybe? Depends if they're really good friends I suppose.

 

[I like Skol]

That's a fair point to make and will. I write about my experiences from heart and sometimes what I have seen can blinker opinion. I've read a lot of stuff about it and much I disagree with, but you are correct, I should and will read more of the threads on here. I just feel that what I have written has largely been blown out of proportion and taken out of context.

I think you will find that once what you have been writing has been given context and considered proportionately the reaction is entirely reasonable.

 

[diagnosisLOB]

You are, of course, entitled to your opinions. But as a paramedic they carry some weight. When you encourage cyclists to ride in the gutter or for car drivers to shout suggestions, you are potentially encouraging dangerous incidents. This then takes you beyond having an opinion and into the realms of perpetuating danger to cyclists.

Fair comment. Again, not my intention. We all make mistakes and clearly my wording and assumption of how it would be interpreted was an error of judgment. As I have said, I've deleted the posts. I've posted over 350 blog posts and these are the only ones I've ever removed so I have done so after much consideration. Please accept what I say as the truth and in no way did I want or encourage aggression to anyone. Certainly would never wish harm on anyone

 

[I like Skol]

Fair comment. Again, not my intention. We all make mistakes and clearly my wording and assumption of how it would be interpreted was an error of judgment. As I have said, I've deleted the posts. I've posted over 350 blog posts and these are the only ones I've ever removed so I have done so after much consideration. Please accept what I say as the truth and in no way did I want or encourage aggression to anyone. Certainly would never wish harm on anyone

I'm sorry for being cynical, but why do I get the feeling that your employers are looking over your shoulder to see how you clear up this mess?

 

[diagnosisLOB]

You're entitled to your opinion but promoting helmet compulsion from your position as a paramedic (which too many people will think gives you credibility on the subject) requires that you present evidence to support it. So far all I've seen that passes for evidence in your blog is the "stands to reason" argument. You have a belief that they work, nothing more.

And don't assume that people who challenge your views are anti-helmet, chances are they are simply anti-compulsion.

GC

Fair enough, like I've said, my wording was an error of judgment. I have no issue with people disagreeing with me, but some of the abuse went past that. I've seen the outrage on here about that photo someone posted on twitter wishing harm on cyclists from a lorry. Some of the threats I relieved made that look insignificant. I will be posting another blog about cyclists / helmets / injuries, but I will ensure it's balanced, and has evidence posted for both sides of the argument. I appreciate what you say about how being a paramedic carries a different weight to an opinion, it's something i haven't considered before. Live and learn

E

 

[Sara_H]

If you a regular reader, you'd see I'm not a monster. I wrote a series of posts in 2011 having a tongue in cheek dig at all sorts of road users. Cyclists: Take note, Drivers: Take note, Pedestrians: take note. Etc etc. It wasn't meant to offend. It was meant in a way of saying if someone runs across the road without looking they are an idiot. I've apologised for saying idiot, and removed the post. You can call it back pedalling if you wish, but everyone makes the odd mistake or error of judgment and I have corrected it. I stick to my pro helmet stance, and everyone can agree or disagree.

Ella, none of the comments you've made about cyclists have come across as jovial or tongue in cheek. They come across as spiteful and inflammatory.
You've also put your ill informed and dangerous views forward as professional opinion, which I would assume is strictly against your professional code?
You've shown complete ignorance of the issues around the helmet debate and been dismissive to the point of contempt to those who've tried to point you towards peer reviewed research, continuously referring to those of us who've made the perfectly safe, legal choice to ride without a helmet as idiots.
You've misled your online followers into believing that you've been the victim of some online hate campaign, and accused people of harassing you when they are clearly doing nothing of the sort.
There is clearly lots of misinformation in your blog, your claim to have attended the scene of ten dead non helmet wearing cyclists just doesn't hold water.
It's been really easy for users here to link your blog to your place of employment and to trace the incidents to which you refer in your blog, which has given cause for concern hat you're not protecting your patients confidentiality strongly enough.
As I said earlier, you are clearly now back peddling furiously, and trying to present yourself as a reasonable person, ut its a bit too late for that, you've left your nasty comments all over the internet and as you'll see if you've read the full thread here, some users have taken screen grabs and have cached versions of your blog.
I don't really think you can sweet talk your way out of this, You probably need to be a bit more frank about what a massive and unpleasant blunder you've made, especially since your twitter mates have taken up your example and are marching forth with a particularly nasty campaign of cyclist hatred - instead of coming here, why don't you go back to them and explain how badly wrong you've got it all (Especially Fashionista lady, what she's written in your support is quite unpleasant and uncalled for)? Because frankly, some of the hatred that YOU have incited is quite horrific.

 

[diagnosisLOB]

I think you will find that once what you have been writing has been given context and considered proportionately the reaction is entirely reasonable.

Threats of violence? Threats to hunt me down? Plagued with profound abusive to my twitter, my blog, my Facebook, my email? Reporting to the police?! That's not proportional in my opinion.

 

[diagnosisLOB]

I'm sorry for being cynical, but why do I get the feeling that your employers are looking over your shoulder to see how you clear up this mess?

At no point on twitter or my blog have I ever identified who my employer is or where I work. Coming on here was to have a conversation without abuse, and say my side of things. That's all.

 

[Markymark]

@Sara_H go girl!