Concussions while sailing- How often?

[MoeAlfa]

You been napping, Moe?

Out of hibernation for this topic where I felt, in a rush of hubris I already regret, that I could be of some actual value. Don't expect to bask in my effulgence for another 10 mos.

Cheers, Tom.

E

 

[seaker]

I have had at least one when I was a kid. Sailing I try to always know where the boom is and where it's going. I now use a helmet skiing and biking. I also wear one going up the mast offshore. Here is a interesting article on bike helmets. I think it applies to many other types. http://www.bicycling.com/senseless/index.html

 

[Throatwarbler-Mangrove]

You been napping, Moe?

Out of hibernation for this topic where I felt, in a rush of hubris I already regret, that I could be of some actual value. Don't expect to bask in my effulgence for another 10 mos.

Cheers, Tom.

E

I'd been hoping you'd weigh in.

Please don't be a stranger.

 

[DryArmour]

I haven't had one (despite a couple of pings from a boom mid-jibe), but I've known at least four people who have (Hobie 16s) and now wear helmets when racing.

Gath makes several styles - available from Murray's - http://www.murrays.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=G&Store_Code=MS

The more I am researching concussions the more I am realizing how little we actually know about the subject. For example I thought that helmets prevented concussions. They don't. They are intended to only stop skull fractures and concussions are not the same thing. In fact 20% of concussions involve no impact to the head whatsoever.

Won't argue with the research done but could you elaborate on how you get a concussion without an impact? Whiplash?

I'd wear a helmet to prevent a skull fracture. Although they may not prevent a concussion, they might prevent you being knocked into Queer Street and avoid falling overboard?

Helmets designed with comms such as to skipper and crew, voice activated linked to VHF or SAT phone, or voice activated to autopilot, GPS and other data updates transmitted wirelessly (AC types?) would be cool and might provide some impetuous to wear one? Sounds like a redesign is in order first.

SC- Concussions with no head impact come from as you described "Whiplash". Any time the head moves violently whether in a linear or rotation the brain moves inside the fluid which it is suspended in. It is this movement of the brain that causes the symptoms of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) not necessarily impact to the skull.

 

[Slick470]

I have had at least one when I was a kid. Sailing I try to always know where the boom is and where it's going. I now use a helmet skiing and biking. I also wear one going up the mast offshore. Here is a interesting article on bike helmets. I think it applies to many other types. http://www.bicycling.com/senseless/index.html

A very interesting article. As a once pretty active mountain biker and thinking of the whacks I took to the helmet from various spills and wipeouts I think I'm going to look a little harder when I buy my next helmet for me and for the fam.

For sailing, I don't think a helmet is necessarily a bad idea. I actually like the idea for dingy sailing especially for kids.

Reading through this thread, it seems a lot of you/us are lucky to still be here, and for some of you, the repeated wacks to the head explain a lot.

 

[smartwool_elmo]

Pretty sure wife (gf at the time) got one from a collision with a boom on a J/80. She was relatively new to sailing and on a different boat. Owner was running a square rigged setup (not sure why) and had her helping at mast/foredeck and then going through the cockpit during the gybe to get the tweakers. Needless to say, she no longer sails on that boat.

So if it is an issue, does US Sailing add helmet requirements?

 

[snaerk]

^ Perhaps square rigged means sumthing diff to you than me?

Square rig is very safe for gybing, but I never saw a square rigged J/80

 

[DryArmour]

Pretty sure wife (gf at the time) got one from a collision with a boom on a J/80. She was relatively new to sailing and on a different boat. Owner was running a square rigged setup (not sure why) and had her helping at mast/foredeck and then going through the cockpit during the gybe to get the tweakers. Needless to say, she no longer sails on that boat.

So if it is an issue, does US Sailing add helmet requirements?

I hope not but it may come to that if the problem is chronic.

 

[alteredst88]

Pretty sure wife (gf at the time) got one from a collision with a boom on a J/80. She was relatively new to sailing and on a different boat. Owner was running a square rigged setup (not sure why) and had her helping at mast/foredeck and then going through the cockpit during the gybe to get the tweakers. Needless to say, she no longer sails on that boat.

So if it is an issue, does US Sailing add helmet requirements?

I hope not but it may come to that if the problem is chronic.

Probably wouldn't help. Read the Bicycle article from earlier in the thread. It's fascinating. Helmets are designed to prevent skull fractures, not concussions. They do very little actually to prevent concussion. It was a real eye opener for me and made me seriously think about helmets in sailing.

G

 

[SMBReno]

A helmet may however reduce the risk of the most rapid and devastating cause of death following head trauma, epidural hemorrhage http://aapnews.aappublications.org/content/early/2013/08/23/aapnews.20130823-1. Typically a head blow followed by lucid interval and then stupor and death - this is what happened to Natasha Richardson following a low impact blow (fell down while standing on skis). Only definitive treatment is prompt decompression, not available off shore.

Several singlehanded sailors in SF use helmets at sea. During the start of the Long Pac on my Moore 24 we were struck by a wave while I was helming, I was launched across the cockpit, almost through the lifelines and stopped by striking my head on the stern pulpit. Concussed, boat jibed, fell in cockpit blocking drain, etc. Helmet may have helped some...I would definitely want one if struck by boom (which is almighty low on a Moore 24). The motion on ULDBs when close reaching into short period seas is striking to say the least...

 

[MoeAlfa]

A helmet may however reduce the risk of the most rapid and devastating cause of death following head trauma, epidural hemorrhage http://aapnews.aappublications.org/content/early/2013/08/23/aapnews.20130823-1. Typically a head blow followed by lucid interval and then stupor and death - this is what happened to Natasha Richardson following a low impact blow (fell down while standing on skis). Only definitive treatment is prompt decompression, not available off shore.

You probably know this, but the usual cause of epidural hemorrhage is a skull fracture and resulting tear of an artery. Hence the emphasis on fractures. In the good old days, surgeons would make a SWAG about the location and go in with brace and bit.

 

[Death Roll]

A helmet may however reduce the risk of the most rapid and devastating cause of death following head trauma, epidural hemorrhage http://aapnews.aappublications.org/content/early/2013/08/23/aapnews.20130823-1. Typically a head blow followed by lucid interval and then stupor and death - this is what happened to Natasha Richardson following a low impact blow (fell down while standing on skis). Only definitive treatment is prompt decompression, not available off shore.

You probably know this, but the usual cause of epidural hemorrhage is a skull fracture and resulting tear of an artery. Hence the emphasis on fractures. In the good old days, surgeons would make a SWAG about the location and go in with brace and bit.

Trepanation sure did stand the test of time. Not many surgical procedures have a multi-millenia run.