Topic: Important post-crash information

[arblebang]

I see this all the time on youtube: right after a really gnarly crash, the first thing that guy's buddies will do is run over and yank off the helmet. Thats the best way I can think of to unintentionally paralyze your friend. So, since I am about to graduate from paramedic school, my classmates and I decided to take the opportunity to make a PSA on proper helmet removal post-crash.

Hope yall have a safe summer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1MdIuVifGQ

<div id=”media”>How to remove a motorcycle helmet after a crash</div>

[azuredesign]

Thanks, always good to know although I hope I never have to use the info.

Congrats on finishing your program!

[bwaller]

Well done talking about this, important stuff for all bikers to know. You're perfectly right too, often other riders want to rip a hat off to save their pals.

33 yrs on the local fire dept. and only once did we need to remove a helmet in a hurry. This maybe five years ago after we had finished some training, because there were two of us that ride on the department. 

[Gordon]

Have you seen these helmet stickers?

[arblebang]

Have you seen these helmet stickers?

Yeah Ive seen them, not a bad idea, totally within the right of the rider to utilize this sticker to express how he wants to be treated, if he is unconscious or otherwise unable to express himself. However, we always preach life over limb: the risk of paralysis is completely deprioritized if you can't get to an airway, so I don't have one of those stickers on my helmet, because I wouldn't want a bystander to forego removing my helmet if I am choking, just because of a sticker. Hopefully though that is what we are trying to prevent with this video, and show people how to remove a helmet and establish an airway without risking paralysis.

[dave500]

i passed a fallen rider some time ago,he had hes helmet on and a lady was fanning his head with a street directory or something it was pretty hot,i imagine he said not to remove it yet even though it was hot?

[Retro Rocket]

Have you seen these helmet stickers?

I was told a long time ago to NEVER remove a helmet at an accident scene, not only can you give spinal injuries or make them worse, there is also the risk of loosing the rider due to swelling of the brain from head trauma, i may not have the advice perfect but i was told in some cases the brain can swell after removing the helmet causing death... I don't recommend anyone remove a helmet at an accident scene, not only for the above mentioned reasons but for liability in case of the rider dying, which may or may not have been the removers fault but hard to prove in any case.

[arblebang]

Have you seen these helmet stickers?

I was told a long time ago to NEVER remove a helmet at an accident scene, not only can you give spinal injuries or make them worse, there is also the risk of loosing the rider due to swelling of the brain from head trauma, i may not have the advice perfect but i was told in some cases the brain can swell after removing the helmet causing death... I don't recommend anyone remove a helmet at an accident scene, not only for the above mentioned reasons but for liability in case of the rider dying, which may or may not have been the removers fault but hard to prove in any case.

Your brain can swell in response to a variety of injuries, however it is encased within a skull, which is rigid. Increased cranial pressure is a life threatening condition, which is only correctable in an ER and then only sometimes, but it is not at all affected by keeping on a helmet. You are right that keeping the helmet on is a good rule of thumb, but if the conditions are present like what are mentioned in the video (airway occlusion, or an injured rider possibly hurting himself further via panic) it's good to know how to properly remove the helmet before the fallen rider or some other uninformed samaritan accidentally hurts him further.

[tortelvis]

Have you seen these helmet stickers?

Yes, have one on my lid. I am still trying to work out witness reports after my big one back in '98. They say I removed my full face myself which begs the question, HOW? It takes both hands to do so and my left arm was shattered so badly that they considered just lopping it off.  There were bones poking out, dripping blood, etc. I had just totalled an SUV that made a U turn about 6 feet in front of me as I was overtaking. Don't fancy some well meaning git messing with my lid.

[sangyo soichiro]

Thanks for the video.  Good info, and I learned something from it.

[Flying J]

Very good info. Of all the bike wrecks I have been to working with the fire department, maybe one guy still had his helmet on when we got there. Either it flew off cause they didnt use the strap, it was a half helmet or they took it off themselves. Im not sure many of the knuckleheads riding sport bikes know the risks.

Thanks for making the video.