Transcript Don’t Lose Your Head

What’s a Member’s
Safety Worth?
Jim B. Wilson
Area 4-H/Youth Extension Educator
University of Idaho
April 28, 2005
Program Goals
• Increase your awareness of potential
hazards and related safety issues when
working with youth and horses.
• Challenge you to analyze your personal
beliefs and convictions related to the use
of equestrian helmets.
Remember, when you
ride ...
• Accidents are inevitable
– even when using proper
safety precautions
• When you fall, it is very
likely that you will hit
your head
Remember, when you
ride ...
• You can’t always
control what your
head hits
• You can control what
protects your head!
Which Would You
Choose?
Do Helmets Really
Matter?
• U.S. Pony Club findings (1983-1990)
– Since requiring ASTM helmets
• Reduced head injuries 29%
• Reduced facial injuries 62%
• American Medical Equestrian Assn.
– Use of ASTM F1163/SEI Helmets (1990)
• Reduced all riding-related head injuries 30%
• Reduced severe head injuries 50%
What’s With Those
Letters?
• Current industry standard for helmets
• ASTM F 1163
• American Soc. for Testing and Materials
• Society’s “Standard Specification for
Headgear Used in Horse Sports.”
• SEI
• Safety Equipment Institute
• Test helmets to insure they meet standards.
Aren’t All Helmets Equal?
• ASTM/SEI helmets meet rigid
standards
– Standards reviewed at least every 5 years.
• Non-ASTM helmets or their box carry
a warning label including a clause that
these helmets are: “an item of apparel
only and will provide no protection to
the head from a fall or other
source of impact.”
But Helmets Are Expensive!
• Compared to What?
• Cost of the horse?
• Cost of your other riding equipment?
• Cost of the feed or health care?
• ASTM helmets range from $25 - $110
• What’s your personal/physical safety
worth?
It Couldn’t Happen to Me!
• Every Time, Every Ride
– Produced by
• Washington State 4-H Foundation
• 7612 Pioneer Way
• Puyallup, WA 98371-4998
Selecting/Fitting a Helmet
• Select a helmet that
fits comfortably
• Hold head still and
gently rock the
helmet
– Should cause scalp to
move with the helmet
• Adjust throat strap
securely in position
Caring for Your Helmet
• Properly cared for helmets provide
several years of useful life.
• Steps in cleaning
• Exterior and inner fabrics cleaned with warm
water & mild detergent; wipe shell w/soft lintfree cloth.
• Harness assembly cleaned with damp cloth only.
• Avoid >1000F temperatures when drying
Inspecting Your Helmet
• Check for visible signs
• Cracks in shell
• Deterioration in harness assembly
• After a fall or any other significant
impact
• Return helmet to manufacturer for
inspection
• Non-visible damage can reduce
effectiveness
Other Considerations
• At club practices, county & district events
• Riding Clinics
• County Shows
• At State 4-H horse shows
• In 2005, helmets are required whenever mounted.
A 4-H member may sign a helmet waiver, also
requires a parents signature.
Let’s Get Egg-Cited!!
• What are the similarities between this
egg and your head?
• Harder outer casing; fragile contents inside
• How safe is your head in a fall from:
• A working trot (8 mph) with helmet?
• A training gallop (20 mph) with helmet?
• A working trot (8 mph) w/o helmet?
• Does a helmet make you invincible?
Some People Choose To:
But Remember,
• What’s your personal
safety worth?
• It’s tough to go riding
from a wheelchair,
coma or the grave.
• Ultimately, it is your
head and your decision
“What is Your Choice?”
Where Do We Go From
Here?
• Questions?
• Seminar evaluation:
Title: Horses, Helmets and Safety
Presenter: Jim Wilson, Univ. of Idaho
Presenter Contact
Information
Horses, Helmets, and
Safety is compliments of
Developer:
Jim Wilson
Area 4-H/Youth Extension Educator
1000 W. Hubbard, Suite 140
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
Ph. (208) 446-1680
E-mail: [email protected]