Should "Danger" Wear A Helmet???

[Bicks]

I've been thinking about the sickening incident with Patty yesterday and in view of his "kamikaze" attack on the footy and his history of heavy knocks I really think it would be a good move for the lad and indeed the club to at least seriously consider him kitting up with a helmet for his own safety. In the past St Kilda champion Nathan Burke, Brisbane's Shaun Hart, Fitzroy Champion Gary Wilson and even Jason Dunstall wore one for quite a while, a lot of the NRL players wear them too so it's not as though it's something new!!

Could it, or should it become mandatory given the AFL's stance on the head area being sacrosanct in the modern game?????

Thoughts???


Interesting article from The Roar Website...


http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/09/01/is-mandatory-helmet-use-inevitable-in-the-afls-future/

As Andrew Demetriou told radio station 3AW: “The fact of the matter is that the rule was considered two years ago and it was on the basis of medical experts and we’ve made absolutely no apologies for protecting the head because we don’t want head injuries.”
The league has an obligation to set an example for the junior ranks playing the game to ensure the bump, and subsequent head and neck injuries, are eradicated.
The problem is that such head high collisions can often be incidental in a game played at such a brutal pace, at head height and on the ground, with such a huge variation in player size.
So how can it possibly be eradicated, especially with so many incidental collisions?
It can’t, as head high contacts will continue, despite the bump rule, as they are an inevitable part of the game.

 

[WALL-e]

Helmet would not have stopped that injury.

 

[StonesThrow]

Helmet would not have stopped that injury.

this

 

[Vantz]

I'm an advocate of forcing all kids under the age of 15 to wear helmets, to remove the strange social stigma AFL people have with wearing helmets. It is very strange that it some how makes you less courageous by wearing a helmet.

 

[Vader]

There's a school of thought that says people wearing helmets actually cop more bumps to the head as a result.

Partly this is because they feel secure, so they put their heads at greater risk than they did pre-helmet. Partly it's because their opponents fail to take the same level of care, feeling that the helmet will protect them.

That.. and the fact that a helmet would not have had any impact on Dangermouse's injury yesterday.

 

[Wood_Duck]

Helmet would not have stopped that injury.

It might help his next one though.

 

[Bicks]

There's a school of thought that says people wearing helmets actually cop more bumps to the head as a result.

Partly this is because they feel secure, so they put their heads at greater risk than they did pre-helmet. Partly it's because their opponents fail to take the same level of care, feeling that the helmet will protect them.

That.. and the fact that a helmet would not have had any impact on Dangermouse's injury yesterday.

Fair enough with yesterday's incident but I seem to recall Patty has suffered concussions as a result of his fanatical pursuit of the footy on at least 2 occasions, perhaps 3 already in his fledgling career???? . Scott Stevens is another that seems susceptible to concussions so with these type of players it can only help, JMO.

The club already utilise Hart Sport's equipment according to Stephen Schwerdt on the page, why not their helmets??

https://www.hartsport.com.au/products/9-600-L?category=65-head-gear

 

[WALL-e]

All helmets do is protect against head on head clashes.

Rugby players only wear them to protect their ears from stomping.

They have very little effect, unless you want to wear a sparing helmet.

 

[Tex200]

I think the issue lies more with the coaching staff. I think we all love the way Pat plays but it would appear that style is inevitably going to result in head/neck injuries. I can think of at least 2 other nasty head knocks and countless occasions when I have shut my eyes and hoped he would get up.

I believe its time that, for his own good and longevity, he receives some coaching assistance both in terms of his role and his technique.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

evidence shows that helmets offer little to no protection from the force of the impact, where they are of benefit is protecting players from getting opened up and preventing external bleeding

 

[didaka]

It's funny to think that this kid is probably a legitimate chance to play in round 4 after an incident that looked like that. Thankfully the kid is alright because at one stage one of the most promising careers in football looked like it could be in jeopardy.

 

[Dandy_GO]

I asked him that myself in one of those fans on one things, and he was quite adamant that it would never happen, as it would likely mean he'd be copping even more knocks than without it.
http://www.afc.com.au/channel crow/tabid/10135/default.aspx
The video's on page 1 of this

 

[cmndstab]

Having worn a helmet would almost certainly have caused Danger further injury during that tackle.

 

[marvin]

Wouldn't have helped on Sunday.

I could swear I heard or read someone from the club talking last week about how Danger had to learn to protect himself better in contests. Might have been on the podcast?

 

[Bicks]

Having worn a helmet would almost certainly have caused Danger further injury during that tackle.

Rubbish!!!

You usually make a lot of sense with your posts but that statement is unbelievable...if you had said in this particular case it may not have helped, fair enough. But to say it "it would almost certainly have caused Danger further injury during that tackle" is ridiculous. Perhaps I erred with using the word "helmet" when I should have used Head Guard???

See specs for the Hart Head Guard

Description

High density closed cell foam. Honeycomb padding moulds to the shape of the head. Adjustable comfort velcro chin strap. Expandable lace rear closure ensures a snug fit.

https://www.hartsport.com.au/products/9-600-L?category=65-head-gear

 

[WALL-e]

Only thing that would have made a difference is a neck brace.... All that would have happened then is his shoulders would have popped.

 

[Mismatched]

There's a school of thought that says people wearing helmets actually cop more bumps to the head as a result.

Partly this is because they feel secure, so they put their heads at greater risk than they did pre-helmet. Partly it's because their opponents fail to take the same level of care, feeling that the helmet will protect them.

That.. and the fact that a helmet would not have had any impact on Dangermouse's injury yesterday.

They also effectively increase the size of the head too.

As others have said, the helmets will perhaps help with the head on head collisions, but they're not going to protect from neck injuries, they don't protect the face and will have perhaps only a minor to negligible influence on concussions. My brother consulted some experts following getting a serious concussion himself and was told not to bother, they just don't help.

 

[jenny61_99]

Two trains of thought. My 16 year old nephew kept copping shocking concussions (requiring hospitalisation) and was forced to wear a helmet by his club or not play. In the end, on-going migraine headaches forced him out of the game. The other is this little bloke who played for my son's team in under 8's. Two foot nothing, skin and bone but like a bloody terrier. In and under ALL the time and of course kept getting knocked in the head. His mother was beside herself and wanted him to stop playing. We mentioned the possibility of a helmet - more to put her mind at ease, but the end result was that it did actually protect him. He now plays in the under 9s and is a prodigous ball winner. Still 2 foot nothing, but man he can play. And nobody gives his helmet a second thought.

Clearly the helmet wouldn't have assisted in Patty's tackle as it was the neck affected, but given that he has a propensity to go head first into packs, probably wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[Bicks]

Interersting......


http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport...ut-with-hawthorn/story-e6freck3-1225865743497

HAWTHORN'S high-profile recruit Shaun Burgoyne will make his long-awaited debut for the club - possibly in a helmet - as one of a raft of changes for Sunday's match against Richmond at the MCG.
The former Port Adelaide star has been fitted with a helmet after recovering from a broken jaw suffered in a VFL match with Box Hill last month.
The 27-year-old wore the helmet at training yesterday, and will decide in the next few days if he will wear it on Sunday.

 

[writeoff]

I have read the terms 'school of thought' and evidence in this thread a few times but actually seen none. Where are the citations? I would like to comment in this thread but I don't have enough facts to form a considered opinion. One thing I will say is that a head guard like Bicks described will reduce the impact to the head when contact is made by a hard object be that another player's head, shin, knee, elbow, fist or shoulder. Also fences, the ground and goal posts (despite the padding).