helmet or not

I, for one. I've done it like 2 or 3 times. Always had a helmet, though,
so it's only been a dent to the ego and the helmet.

--
gerblefranklin - Trials Unicyclist

Don't you think it's a cruel irony that acting like a G.I. Joe in the
army can get you a Medal, while playing with one can get you thrown
out?

http://gallery.unicyclist.com/Trials-Muni

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful. They will stop at nothing
to hurt us and our people, and nethier will we"-Dubya
Vote Kerry. Yeah, they both suck, but Kerry sucks less.
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i knocked myself out whist riding with a helmet. the footage shows my
legs coming over and kicking me in the back of the head.. to bad it
needed to be zoomed a fair bit to see it

i dont normally ride with one... only when i want to do something more
extreme than im comfortable with...

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--
tomsey - www.ozextremeunicycling.cjb.net

www.ozextremeunicycling.cjb.net
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labelled

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--
tomsey - www.ozextremeunicycling.cjb.net

www.ozextremeunicycling.cjb.net
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I've hit my head loads of times.

29er riding and riding when very tired in the dark is what really does
it badly.

Joe

--
joemarshall - dumb blonde
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Usually low flying trees whack me in the head.

--
GizmoDuck - NZUNI

o-kO
Adventure Unicyclist
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Here's a link to the thread where I posted about my last (and only) head
impact-

http://tinyurl.com/4ysfq

--
onewheeldave - Semi Skilled Unicyclist

"He's also been known to indulge in a spot of flame juggling - but it's
the Muni that really fires him up."

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While I realize there are (obviously) different points of view on this
subject, here is my take: I always wear a helmet when riding my
unicycle. Although I have yet to "need" it, I am prepared for that time
when I will.

In my experience with other protective equipment, it's the time I'm not
wearing it (wrist guards, for example), that I end up needing it
(awkward fall, which results in a very sore wrist). While I can live
with a damaged wrist, I really would prefer not have a damaged head!!!
😄

So, even if it's only an "around-the-block" ride, I put on the lid;
unexpected things can happen quickly on a unicycle.

Just my thoughts...

--
MUniMac - MUni Raider
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i've only hit my head a few times. a coupel bails on sick down hills
that i had to summersault out of, and some low hanging branches that
caused wicked upds. nothing where i *needed* the helmet but it was nice
to have on.

--
markf
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There's no reason not to wear a helmet in any activity where your head
has even a remote chance to hit something hard.

--
steveyo - new old guy

steveyo

Pray to God, but keep rowing for shore. - old Russian proverb
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Game said:

*How many people have hit thier hed while riding? *

The general answer is very few. I've been riding almost 25 years and
I've hardly ever hit my head at all.

Which proves absolutely nothing. Unlike wrists and knees, you really
can't afford to bash up your head a few times before deciding to buy a
helmet. That's the idea. If you ride Trials, MUni or street, or road, a
helmet is a very good idea. For other activities the danger level is
usually quite a bit lower, though I did cut my head open playing hockey
a few years ago. I still doubt I'll wear a helmet for hockey, except
maybe if it's outside with cement curbs and things.

I did crash my bike not too long ago. There was a speed bump in a
parking lot with a shadow from a telephone pole directly lined up with
it. Bam! My hands came off the handlebars and before I had a chance to
react I was on my way down I definitely whacked my head pretty good on
that one, and I'm glad my helmet was on. Same thing could have happened
on a unicycle.

Most people skin their knees or whack their shins a few times before
they go to the effort of buying, and putting on, safety gear. With your
head, you can't afford that.

For Trials and heavy duty riding over gaps and other odd-shaped
obstacles, a skate helmet offers better protection than a bike helmet.
For MUni and road riding, most of us stick with the lighter,
better-vented bike helmets. And a good bike helmet can be had pretty
cheap! How much is your brain worth?

--
johnfoss - Walkin' on the edge

John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com" -- www.unicycling.com

"It's good to find something that makes boys into men and men into boys,
my opinion is that unicycling fits the bill." -- Lloyd Johnson

"Read the rules!"
'IUF Rulebook' (http://www.unicycling.org/iuf/rulebook/)
'USA Rulebook' (http://www.unicycling.org/usa/competition/)
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tomsey said:

*the footage shows my legs coming over and kicking me in the back of
the head*

So what happened to you?
I got kicked in the head and knocked out.
Who did that to you?
Uh, it was me.
You kicked yourself in the head?
Yah.
You must have really been mad at yourself.
No, I fell down.
You fell down and kicked yourself in the head.
Uh huh.
You know what?
What.
I fall better than you.

I can imagine this conversation. As for me, I don't think my foot can
make it to my head without something breaking in between, or at least
getting pulled pretty bad. In an accident, being flexible is good!

Quoted message said:

*i dont normally ride with one... only when i want to do something
more extreme than im comfortable with... *

Helmet use is also a regional/cultural thing. Some countries are more
helmet prone than others. This is probably a function of the local legal
system, but also is based on what's popular. If helmets aren't popular
and there are no helmet laws in your area, this makes you less likely to
feel the need for one. I started unicycling in 1979, but didn't buy my
first helmet until the early 90s (for a bike, and also for downhill
glide racing). If your area doesn't use helmets as much, they are
probably harder to find, and I'd imagine they are a little more
expensive. as well.

--
johnfoss - Walkin' on the edge

John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com" -- www.unicycling.com

"It's good to find something that makes boys into men and men into boys,
my opinion is that unicycling fits the bill." -- Lloyd Johnson

"Read the rules!"
'IUF Rulebook' (http://www.unicycling.org/iuf/rulebook/)
'USA Rulebook' (http://www.unicycling.org/usa/competition/)
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I've been riding only 4 years and I only hit my head once. I bought a
helmet like less than a week ago cause they opened a skatepark out here
and wont let you ride without one, so Ill start usin It. Back when I
used to ride bikes and screwed up a jump, went straight up and landed
squar on my head knocking me out(one of very many)so if your doing
anything more than a normal cruise grab the helm.

--
caw89 - Ruger

Don't run, you'll just die tired.
Bojigada!
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There is never a time when you should not be wearing a helmet. Even
though you usually land on your feet when casually riding, its just
stupid not to put one on. I saw this thing on the Health Channel where
this kid was just casually skateboarding with no helmet, fell off, hit
his head in the right spot, and was almost killed. Inertia forced his
brain to slam into his skull and it started to swell, so the hospital
had to force him into a coma in order to slow down brain activity to
prevent more swelling. If they had not done this. his brain would have
swelled so large, that it would have been crushed by his skull. By the
time he was out of the coma (about two weeks) he had to go though
massive rehab and speech therapy in order to learn to talk again! You do
not have to hit your head hard, it just has to be in the right spot in
order to cause a SERIOUS injury. Always wear a helmet!

Jason

--
1Cube1Wheel - 01001101010101010110111001101001

I'm all for bipartisianship. Ill hug your elephant if you kiss my ass.

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im with 1cube1wheel.

never hit my head before, tho

-grant

--
tennisgh22 - Haha you fool

The word gullible is written above my avatar!
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No helmet = organ donor

--
willfcc - I always wear my helmet.

http://www.unicyclist.com/gallery/albun56

Will

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About 35 years ago when I was an active skydiver I had a total
malfunction. The main refused to open at all. This was in the days of
chest-mounted reverve chutes with the D-rings mounted at waist level.
When I opend the reserve parachute, the opening shock was so hard
something whacked me in the back of the head. I relized it was my
boots! Feet can come into contact with the cranium but I don't
recommend it.

On the other hand, if they hadn't, I wouldn't be here to jot down these
thoughts....

I took a bad fall on my snowboard a couple of years ago and got launched
high and came down on an ice patch on the back of my head. It felt like
a horse had kicked me. I had trouble remembering the names of friends
for a couple of hours. I guess it was a mile concussion.

In any event, I'm a walking (and riding) endorsement for the benefits of
helmets.

--
patmoore - Pentagenarian Snowboard Racer

'[image: http://www.mtlski.com/images/raceboardskismall.jpg]'
(http://www.mtlski.com/)
"When you're over the hill, you pick up speed!"

"If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room."
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I whacked my head once in a fairly high speed UPD. Had my helmet on and
it still knocked me a little bit loopy for a few minutes. I won't ride
without it, even in my garage practicing idling.

--
underdog - level 1 rider

'it isn't stealing if I wasn't going to buy it anyway'
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I've gotten a concusion from falling off of my bicycle and hitting my
head but never have hit my head in my 13 years of unicycling. But I was
mainly into freestyle and parades until the last 2 years where I've been
getting into Muni and Trials-aka a little more dangerous. I usually only
wear a helmet when I'm trying some hard stuff or on dangerous trails.
Here in Minnesota there aren't many "dangerous" obstacles and hope my
body can react in time if I do fall on the "soft" ground to protect me.
But I'm not saying don't wear a helmet, cause they do help and are worth
wearing to save your head/life. I just think bicycling and some other
sports go much faster and are more dangerous so wearing a helmet is
definitely needed.

FYI-I believe no one has ever died in a unicycling accident, ever! Or
gotten seriously injured like brain damaga or something that doesn't
cure over time. Broken bones ya, but they heal after a long time.
Correct me if someone knows otherwise.

--
tuna6869 - Unicycler for Kerry

Jamey Mossengren

Smile! 🙂 It makes people wonder what you're up to!

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the
moments that take our breath away"

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Patmoore: When I'm snowboarding a helmet is a must. The day after I got
my helmet was the first time I'd needed it. Was in some nice woodsy
offpiste and became more intimate than I'd have liked with a low branch.
And aside from anything they keep your head toasty and I reckon
snowboard/skate helmets look pretty nifty.

When I'm unicycling however I tend to wear a helmet less often than
perhaps I should. If I'm just going from A to B I tend not to wear one
as most of my A to B rides are less than 20 minutes or so due to only
having a trials uni at the mo. However, any occasion I feel leg armour's
neccessary I wear my helmet too (dont want to hurt the thing holding my
beautiful face in place). So in conclusion I'd say the ultimate decision
rests with no-one but yourself, and in turn you've no one to blame than
yourself if you happen to hurt something you've decided not to
protect.

Kit

--
MrBoogiejuice - Loyal subject of the crown

Clean living, fair play and devotion to the empire
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