Mind Your Head

Previously, I introduced the golden rule of risk management. Let me now introduce the “silver rule”: Mind your head. Yes, it is every athlete’s responsibility to mind their head. After all, each athlete has only one noggin. Helmet requirements for sports are widespread. But even with helmet rules and regulations, there is still room for foolishness.

For example, while I was head referee at the Ko’Olina Triathlon, I observed two athletes that unbuckled the chin straps of their helmets while they were still on their bikes and before they entered the transition areas. Many accidents occur when cyclists are in the transition areas and so by attempting to save a few seconds by unbuckling a chin strap early, athletes risk serious injury in the event of an accident. Are those few seconds really worth the possibility that brain damage could mean a lifetime of suffering?

Football players must also pay careful attention to helmet fit, quality, maintenance and use. It seems that the biggest challenge in the sport is to balance the practice of tackling with the desire to protect athletes from serious head injury. Horseback riding is another sport where helmets are commonly used and certainly save lives. On the other hand there are a number of sports where helmets could be used, but never have been. For example, in gymnastics athletes perform aerial moves without any head protection at all. Golfers risk being hit by golf balls, but do not wear any head protection aside from a golf hat.

As the consequences of concussions to long term health and mortality are studied and are receiving more media attention, I anticipate that helmet use in sport will increase. Hopefully, the proper use of head protection will also be encouraged and required. Athletes certainly have a responsibility to mind their heads. Sports risk management planning should also address noggin protection.