Author Topic: Another life spared by wearing a helmet. (Read 1230 times)

Railton · « **on:** July 11, 2011, 07:43:35 am »

I know this guy Dev, use to swim with him. An amazing 'age grouper' Triathlete and multiple Ironman finisher. He was racing in IRONMAN SWITZERLAND this past weekend.
Railton
-------------------------------------------------------
IRONMAN SWITZERLAND - DEV PAUL UPDATE:
Barry Dmitruk.........(General Comments)
Hi all:

Anyone who has been following Dev on Ironmanlive.com knows by now that something seriously has gone wrong in Dev's race. I just got off the phone with Dev. Dev had a nasty crash, is in the hospital and will be kept overnight for observation. His injuries although serious, ARE NOT LIFE THREATENING.

Dev was having a great race. He was going down a straight 2 % down grade passing a rider when all of a sudden the rider pulled left right into Dev. Their handle bars locked. Dev felt if they kept riding they would be able to get out of it, but the other rider braked and then all hell broke loose. Both riders went down hard. On the left side of the road there was a house literally one foot from the road, Dev went head first into the house. He is pretty sure if he was not wearing a helmet he would be dead right now.

He remembers seeing the house coming at him and waking up sometime later not knowing how long he was out.

Dev's injuries consist of a broken cheek bone, a concussion, broken finger, sprained left hand, a serious leg injury (his leg is flanked out from where it normally should be) and about 20 stitches in various locations on his body/head. The other rider from Sweden is in about the same condition.

Dev was obviously pretty down when I talked to him, but was more concerned with Roxanne, Brandon and Dev's parents. Dev said more than once he is lucky to be alive and emphasized that his helmet probably saved his life. There isn't too much give in brick houses, Dev estimated he was going about 35 km/h at the time of the crash.

He asked that I send out a message to his friends to let everyone know what happened and although very banged up, he will be okay. I also spoke to Roxanne about 10 minutes after I spoke to Dev. She called Dev's parents and advised them. Safe to say all family members are upset and concerned, but I have to say this again Dev's injuries are not life threatening.

I guess if people had any doubts about helmets, this should make a believer of anyone. I am pretty shaken about this myself and almost cried after I got off the phone with Dev. Please advise friends of Dev who may not be on this distribution list. If you would like any more details please feel free to contact me and I will do what I can to answer.
Barry Dmitruk
http://www.trirudy.com/profile.cfm?member=11764
konaexpress@gmail.com
Barry Dmitruk "The Kona Express"" 27 time Ironman Finisher

Wolverine · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2011, 10:45:30 am »

That's why I never ride without a helmet, NEVER.

I had a pretty serious accident a while back and I'm sure that, wasn't for the helmet I would have had serious injuries on the head. I had some scratches on my arm and back, lied on the floor for 10 minutes without being able to move my right side, frightening situation.

Look at my helmet after the crash:

dr_spock · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2011, 09:13:46 pm »

Quote from: Wolverine on July 11, 2011, 10:45:30 am

That's why I never ride without a helmet, NEVER.

I had a pretty serious accident a while back and I'm sure that, wasn't for the helmet I would have had serious injuries on the head. I had some scratches on my arm and back, lied on the floor for 10 minutes without being able to move my right side, frightening situation.

Look at my helmet after the crash:

That looks pretty scary.

I started wearing helmets back when they weren't mandatory or in fashion. After I bought my first helmet, I was in a bad head on crash with another cyclist. My head smacked the pavement. Helmet took the impact. I was able to eventually get up and walk a few miles home.

rrocket · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2011, 09:47:03 pm »

Why would ANY cyclist ride without a helmet in the first place?

Cord · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2011, 11:30:27 pm »

Before I crashed my motorcycle I had been riding my bicycle and have a helmet similar to Wolverine's above. After wearing a motorcycle helmet I was starting to wonder if this little thing would do much in an accident. It seems that unless the impact was directed right at the top of the head, that it would provide very little protection. I imagined the side of my head hitting the pavement and had visions of this thing just rolling on my skull leaving me with no protection. I had even started to look at bike/skate type helmets as they seem to provide much more protection. Any comments from the helmet wearers?

rrocket · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2011, 11:36:27 pm »

Quote from: Cord on July 12, 2011, 11:30:27 pm

Before I crashed my motorcycle I had been riding my bicycle and have a helmet similar to Wolverine's above. After wearing a motorcycle helmet I was starting to wonder if this little thing would do much in an accident. It seems that unless the impact was directed right at the top of the head, that it would provide very little protection. I imagined the side of my head hitting the pavement and had visions of this thing just rolling on my skull leaving me with no protection. I had even started to look at bike/skate type helmets as they seem to provide much more protection. Any comments from the helmet wearers?

What about one of those full face mountain bike helmets?

Here's Bell's lineup...seems some of them offer more side protection than others...

http://www.bellhelmets.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1205&CFID=4161266&CFTOKEN=18195249

Zombie · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2011, 11:45:46 pm »

I've met that guy. He trains with a friend of mine, I hear he trains relantlessly.
Glad to hear he is ok.
Helmets are a must. Last year a friend at work was struck by a car on the parkway, his helmet was toast but he walked away with some road rash, a bruised hip and a minor concusion.

Cord · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2011, 11:51:49 pm »

I was looking at something like this:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442628935&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693161

Just seems like more of a helmet than a hat. Maybe I'm just over-cautious.

rrocket · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2011, 12:06:14 am »

Quote from: Cord on July 12, 2011, 11:51:49 pm

Just seems like more of a helmet than a hat. Maybe I'm just over-cautious.

Are you kidding me? We're talking about your friggen' brain here. No such thing as over cautious.

Zombie · « **Reply #9 on:** July 13, 2011, 12:36:42 am »

Quote from: Cord on July 12, 2011, 11:51:49 pm

I was looking at something like this:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442628935&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693161

Just seems like more of a helmet than a hat. Maybe I'm just over-cautious.

That should be fine for lite riding but i would go for something more venty if your going to break a sweat.

Jaeger · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2011, 08:52:23 am »

Quote from: rrocket on July 12, 2011, 09:47:03 pm

Why would ANY cyclist ride without a helmet in the first place?

Good question. Wish it didn't need to be asked.

Jaeger

Railton · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2011, 07:41:55 pm »

Update on Dev Paul
Railton
------------------------------

This is an update from Dev as of Monday morning. He is one optimistic dude - have to admire that!!!

"more on my crash later when I get to a PC. Bottom line is 1 person suddenly swung wide to the left. The guy behind him swung further left. I was passing at that point and my pass lane got shut in an instant on what at that point had turned into a narrow road shortly the turn to the village. I braked, but by then the swede (2nd) guy had moved more left to avoid the first and my right cowhorn basebar locked with drop bar. In an instant the two of us ended across the other side of the road and I was going straight into a concrete wall perpendicular to my direction of travel. The swede hit the wall parallel to his direction....we were separated by the corner of the house.
I hit square with the right forehead of my helmet...it saved me. Then my sunglasses which jammed in and broke my cheek bone. Then my lips, then my chin. Then my right hand. My left knee took the house head on. My left groin is more sore.
I only know this by piecing together from my wounds and my final orientation with the wall in my face. Everything went BLACK. I just remember waking up to the sound of an ambulence....basically another concussion as if I need another one.
I spent the night in hospital...had several CT scans, and xrays....in the end I have stitches all over my knee and face and elbow. I have a bruised eye, broken cheek bone, cast on my right hand (right thumb is free for Blackberry use).
Roxanne was a trooper through all this and got my busted Kestrel from transition and dry clothes bag...my wetsuit, running shoes are lost although they were in my transition spot.....I do have my life and other than the concussion everything else will be fine.
Concussions suck...literally the last time it took me from 2003 to later 2006 to get over post concussion...frankly I FEEL this will be quick...but I don't know till later.
I got discharged from hospital this morning...they were impressed with the 110 over 60 blood pressure and 48 heart rate dispite being banged up....oxygen saturation was 99 percent.

Assuming neurologists give me clearance to train in Aug, I hope to be in Vegas for 70.3, but if I can't no biggie. I will listen to them as I want to be 100% functional in the long term and this is my 4th concussion between football and cycling over my life, but I'm 45 and nerve connections take longer to regenerate....although they do with rest.

Roxanne is driving the rental car over the Alps....I think she was at wits end packing up my busted Kestrel while I explained how.
Anyway, that's the story....Frank I have 400 hours of training in the bag and I will get a bunch of weeks of forced rest....concussion recoup pending, I will make you hurt in Vegas!!!
The scenery on this drive is spectacular heading to the St. Gotthard pass to go over to Italy.
Glad to be alive....my only DNF of my life was back in 1990 flatting on the cobbles in Belgium with no spares. Up to now 20 Ironmans, 20 finishes....number 21 will wait. Put me in the DNF club for now....but glad to be alive...thank you giro advantage.
Finally my race was really going awesome....top 30 off the swim in my
age....1:09 T1 and feeling like Thor Hoshovd on the bike going way fast on 185W when it all happened....lived to fight another day.
Dev

ajay · « **Reply #12 on:** July 13, 2011, 10:47:09 pm »

that sucks , its the house that did it .
great heart rate .
In grade 8 peddled 5 miles to school , loved this down hill stretch where you could build up some speed , no one wore helmets back then (43 yrs ago)
Same thing , passing 2 bikes , the outside guy swerves into me , straight over the handle bars I went , front wheel was a write off , I had to stand the bike on its rear wheel to walk it 2 miles home . Got a tear in my shorts but was fine . but then no house to hit ! -- good luck on your recovery

Angry Chicken · « **Reply #13 on:** July 14, 2011, 09:42:36 am »

Quote from: rrocket on July 12, 2011, 09:47:03 pm

Why would ANY cyclist ride without a helmet in the first place?

Tell that to the parents who ride helmetless while hauling their helmeted kids around in a bike trailer. Great example!

"Do as I say, not as I do" school of parenting.

'course, a lot of kids around my neck of the woods are no longer wearing helmets. Talking about making a law toothless through lack of enforcement.

dr_spock · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2011, 11:26:35 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on July 12, 2011, 09:47:03 pm

Why would ANY cyclist ride without a helmet in the first place?

Lack of brains?

HeliDriver · « **Reply #15 on:** July 14, 2011, 11:56:34 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on July 12, 2011, 09:47:03 pm

Why would ANY cyclist ride without a helmet in the first place?

Well, since you asked, I do enjoy feeling the wind in my hair every now and then...

Don't get me wrong - if I'm getting suited up for a proper ride, I'll wear a helmet 100% of the time.

But to hop on the bike and take the dog for a casual run through the woods? Or for a mellow cruise along the bike path by the river? Or for a quick trip to the corner store on residential streets? Sorry, but I'll take my chances and enjoy a bit of wind-in-the-hair freedom. It reminds me of my youth back before bike helmets were invented. God knows how any of us managed to live past the age of six.

bwhiting · « **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2011, 09:57:11 am »

I've met Dev Paul and seen him cycle. So glad to hear he's going to be ok. He is one intense and focussed athlete.

I'm also startled at seeing parents cycling without helmets. I don't think they want their kids to have to take care of them after a head injury do they? So senseless - take 2 seconds and put a freaking helmet on!

ajay · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2011, 06:30:32 pm »

" startled " ?

When you go out in a thunder storm do you think you will get hit by lightning ?
Do you crash your bike on every ride ?
for many years people drove with no helmets , we managed to live through it .

quadzilla · « **Reply #18 on:** July 17, 2011, 09:19:06 pm »

Quote from: ajay on July 16, 2011, 06:30:32 pm

for many years people drove with no helmets , we managed to live through it .

Many didn't or are now drinking from a straw for the rest of their life.

Not wearing a helmet is stupid.

rrocket · « **Reply #19 on:** July 17, 2011, 10:20:10 pm »

Quote from: ajay on July 16, 2011, 06:30:32 pm

" startled " ?

When you go out in a thunder storm do you think you will get hit by lightning ?
Do you crash your bike on every ride ?
for many years people drove with no helmets , we managed to live through it .

But riding without a helmet is akin to walking in that same thunderstorm carrying a 10 foot tall metal rod. Sure, you aren't likely to get struck by lighting, by why increase the chance that it COULD happen?