[DVBC] Bike Helmets- Statement of the American College of Surgeons

[waste_bucket]

http://www.facs.org/fellows_info/statements/st-38.html	


[ST-38] Statement on Bicycle Safety and the Promotion of Bicycle Helmet Use
[by the American College of Surgeons]

At its October 2001 meeting, the Board of Regents approved the following
"Statement on Bicycle Safety and the Promotion of Bicycle Helmet Use." The
statement was developed by the Subcommittee on Injury Prevention and Control
of the College's Committee on Trauma.

The American College of Surgeons and its Committee on Trauma recognizes the
importance of injury prevention in the spectrum of care of the trauma
patient, especially with regard to the prevention of traumatic brain injury.
Cycling remains an important means of transportation and recreation;
however, the bicycle rider can be at significant risk of serious injury.

The College recognizes the following facts:

    * Approximately 800 people die and 17,000 are hospitalized in the United
States due to bicycle-related injuries. Bicycle crashes are the fourth
largest contributor to childhood injury costs and quality of life losses.
    * Bicycle injuries account for the largest number of sports-related
injuries treated in emergency departments.
    * Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent.
Bicyclists hospitalized with head injury are 20 times more likely to die as
those without head injury.
    * 98 percent of bicyclists killed were not wearing a helmet at the time
of injury. Helmet use is estimated to prevent 75 percent of cycling deaths.
    * As of November 2000, bicycle-related injuries and deaths had decreased
in the 17 states that have youth bicycle helmet laws.
    * Helmets can benefit adult riders as well children. As more helmet laws
target youth, the proportion of adults comprising bicycle fatalities has
risen from 32 percent in 1975 to 71 percent in 1999.
    * Helmet laws are necessary. 43 percent of bicyclists report that they
never wear a helmet, and of those who do, 44 percent report that they do so
only because a law requires it. 

Therefore, supported by these and other epidemiologic and outcomes data, the
American College of Surgeons supports efforts to promote, enact and sustain
universal bicycle helmet legislation.

References

   1. Baker, SP, O'Neill, B, Ginsburg, M, Li, G. The Injury Fact Book, pp.
287-291, Oxford university press, 1992
   2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Injury-control
recommendations: Bicycle helmets. MMWR 1995 Feb 17; 44:1-17
   3. Rodgers, GB. Bike Helmets. Consumer Products Safety Review. 1999; 4
(1); 1-4
   4. Shafi, S, Gilbert, JC, Loghmanee, F et al. Impact of bicycle helmet
safety legislation on children admitted to a regional pediatric trauma
center. J Pediatr Surg 1998; 33:317-21
   5. Thomas, S, Acton, C, Nixon J, et al. Effectiveness of bicycle helmets
in preventing head injury in children. BMJ 1994;308:173-6
   6. Thompson, R, Rivara, FP, Thompson, DC. A case-control study of the
effectiveness of bicycle helmets. NEJM 1989; 320:1361-7
   7. Thompson, DC, Rivara, FP, Thompson, R. Effectiveness of bicycle
helmets in preventing head injuries. JAMA 1996; 276: 1968-73
   8. Yelon, J, Harrigan, N, Evans, J. Bicycle Trauma: A Five Year
Experience. Am Surg 1995; 61: 202-205 

_________

Reprinted from Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons
Vol.87, No. 2, February 2002

-----Original Message-----
From: dvbc-list-bounces at list.dvbc.org
[mailto:dvbc-list-bounces at list.dvbc.org] On Behalf Of Dave Trout
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 11:19 AM
To: DVBCList
Subject: [DVBC] Bike Helmets

My 23 year old son recently took up fixed gear riding.  As you may or 
may not know there seems to be a subculture of young people who ride 
fixed gear bikes.  As in any subculture they have there own ways of 
doing things, their own way of dressing (no spandex), and most 
importantly they eschew wearing helmet.  My son was an exception.  He 
wore a helmet.  Last week he fell of of his bike and broke his collar 
bone and knocked himself out cold.  His helmet broke on impact so it did 
it's job.

What I would like all of you esteemed and experienced riders to do is to 
read the  entry in Wikapedia.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet

It is a disturbing and I would like your opinion.  After my son's fall 
he was convinced of the value of helmets but after reading this article 
he is not so sure.

Dave


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