Q My kids know they need to wear a helmet while bike riding, but they say only a "nerd" would wear one while skateboarding or rollerblading. Should I force them? J.H., Tucson
AA helmet is as much a part of a child's skateboard or rollerblade outfit as a wildly colored T-shirt and jams. As for the "nerd" aspect, a child who doesn't wear a helmet has a greater chance of, literally, being caught dead or seriously injured than his or her less "nerdy" friends.
In fact, a study of 298 University Medical Center trauma patients showed bicyclists who wear helmets are less likely to be severely injured when involved in major auto-bike collisions. However, there seems to be more to it than the direct protection of the head. Such cyclists also are more careful than those who don't wear helmets.
The three-year study contained information that both parents and children need to know. From skull fractures to abdominal damage to numerous other
bodily injuries, helmet wearers suffered fewer medical problems when involved in collisions than their non-helmeted counterparts.
I believe skateboarders and rollerbladers can benefit from the same protection and safety consciousness. Children should wear helmets while rollerblading, skateboarding or bicycling, just as their parents should. Parents who model safe behavior won't have to force their children to wear helmets. Soon enough, the children will discover that wearing a helmet is cool.
—Dan Spaite, M.D., professor of surgery
and injury control researcher, Arizona Emergency Medicine Research Center,
The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson
AHSC consists of The University of Arizona Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, the School of Health Professions, University Medical Center and The University Physicians
Editors Note: ASK AHSC is published by the AHSC Office of Public Affairs. ASK AHSC is available on the Internet at www.ahsc.arizona.edu/opa/answers. To receive ASK AHSC via E-mail, call (520) 626-7301.
Health questions should be sent to: ASK AHSC, AHSC Office of Public Affairs, PO Box 245095, Tucson, AZ 85724-5095, or E-mail to: jspinell@u.arizona.edu. The information here is not intended to replace the advice of your physician. For referral to a UA Physician, please call University Health Connection, (520) 694-8888.
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