使用适当的头部保护

贝琪·林奇

Trying to persuade someone to wear a 头盔 while biking, 登机, or 踏板车ing can feel like an uphill climb. Arguments against putting on protective headgear: 头盔s are uncomfortable; 头盔s are ugly; sweaty, messy ‘头盔 hair’; I’m only taking a short ride/casual ride/staying on the 自行车 path. Argument in favor of wearing a 头盔: it lowers the rider’s risk of a skull fracture, traumatic brain injury — even death.

事故发生. 天啊，是吗?. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 425,00 bi骑自行车的人 went to U.S. emergency rooms in 2020; 1,260 of them died. Yet statistical reviews over the last 20 years suggest that 头盔 use has reduced severe head injuries by 60 percent or more, as detailed in a National Safety Council report.

Materials used in most of today’s 头盔s are engineered to absorb much of the impact in the event of a fall or collision, 保护你的头部和大脑. Consumers can use the CPSC guide “Which Helmet for Which Activity?” to learn which 头盔s meet safety standards for cycling, 冰雪运动, 滑板, 轮滑, 骑马, 水上运动, 更多的是在消费品安全委员会.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/sports-fitness-and-recreation-bicycles/which-头盔-which-activity.

Helmet choices are not always clear-cut though, like when deciding what to pair with your new electric 自行车 or e-踏板车. 记住, the potential for serious brain and facial injuries increases as traveling speeds increase. Experts at Apollo Scooters recommend moped, BMX, or ‘halo’ style 头盔s for riders navigating in traffic, 在人行道上, or exceeding 15 miles per hour on e-wheels. 考虑到风险, 你需要更多的头, 脸, 口, and eye protection than standard cycling or 滑板 头盔s provide.

头盔的保养和更换

Helmets can get dirty and smelly. Hand wash with mild soap and water. Then rinse, air dry, and store in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight. Replace removable pads as needed.

Product safety experts recommend that 头盔s be replaced every 3 to 5 years to ensure materials retain their shock-absorbing properties. But whenever a 头盔 takes a hit, it should be retired immediately — even if there’s no obvious damage. 把它当作一个升级的机会. 滑雪者, 寄宿生, 骑自行车的人, and equestrians can take advantage of added safety features like Mips — multi-directional impact protection system, which is a low-friction layer  inside the 头盔 designed to help redirect forces away from the head in a crash. To see which 头盔s offer the best protection, a lab at Virginia Tech conducts independent impact tests and publishes yearly 头盔 ratings at 头盔.梁.vt.edu/index.html.

Remember, proper fit is essential (see sidebar). A 头盔 that is too loose or doesn’t sit right on your head can’t do its job. When renting 自行车s, boards, kayaks, and other equipment, say yes to 头盔 rental too. It’s a perfect opportunity to consult with pros, 买之前先试一下, and protect your grey matter while enjoying your next adventure.