1. THE HEADS-UP ON HELMETS
Note to Presenter:
Italicized speaker notes indicate instructions to the presenter.
Bold print indicates what needs to be read to the audience.
Normal print indicates the source of the information.
Materials needed:
-You will need to bring with you a helmet that meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards for performance.
-Screen
-Computer and equipment
Understanding helmet safety

2. OBJECTIVES
To understand that most traumatic brain injuries are predictable and preventable.
To identify situations requiring the use of a helmet.
To correctly fit a helmet.
To encourage helmet use.
The purpose of this training it to educate parents and care givers on the importance of helmet use. In this presentation you will cover the following objectives.
Read the following objectives:
To understand, most traumatic brain injuries are predictable and preventable.
To identify situations requiring the use of a helmet.
To correctly fit a helmet.
To encourage helmet use.

3. HEAD AND TBI FACTS
Each year there are 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) in the U.S.
About 300,000 of these individuals suffer sports related brain injuries annually.
Up to 90,000 of the people having experienced a traumatic brain injury have long-term or lifelong disabilities.
About $76.5 billion dollars is spent in treatment related to these injuries.
More than 50,000 individuals die from TBI.
(CDC)
This slide identifies the facts about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This slide should be read to participants.
Each year in the U.S. the Centers for Disease Control reports approximately 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) of various types.
About 300,000 individuals suffer sports related brain injuries annually.
Between 80,000-90,000 of the people having experienced a traumatic brain injury have long-term or lifelong disabilities.
An estimated $76.5 billion dollars is spent in treatment related to these injuries.
More than 50,000 individuals die from these injuries.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Injury Prevention and Control: Tramatic Brain Injury.

4. HEAD AND TBI INVOLVING CHILDREN
In children 0-14 years of age, traumatic brain injury results yearly in the United States in an estimated:
-435,000 emergency dept. visits.
-35,136 are hospitalized.
-52,174 die.
(CDC)
This slide indicates the numbers of children age 0-14 with head and TBI yearly. Read slide to participants.
In children 0-14 years of age, traumatic brain injury results yearly in the United States in an estimated:
-435,000 emergency dept. visits
-35,136 are hospitalized
-52,174 die
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: TBI per age group- average between

5. WHY WEAR A HELMET? The skull is less than a ¼ inch thick.
You do not need to be going fast or falling far to injure your brain.
Children riding a tricycle should wear a helmet.
Bicycles are not toys, and should be considered a child’s first vehicle.
This slide covers why we wear a helmet. Read the following.
The skull is meant to protect the brain, but at less than a quarter-inch thick, the skull needs added protection during activities where brain injury is possible.
You do not need to be going fast or falling far to injure your brain.
Even children riding a tricycle should wear a helmet.
Bicycles are not toys, but a child’s first vehicle.
Source: Robert, Spetzler, MD, Director of Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ

6. PREVENTION Injuries are prevented by: Consistent use.
Correct use of helmets.
This slide covers the two easy things that can be done to prevent TBI. Read the following to participants.
Most severe injuries are preventable.
There are two easy things participants can do to help prevent TBI they are:
Consistent and correct use of helmet.

7. PREVENTION AND PREDICTABILITY
Riders usually fall off bikes to the side or are thrown over the handle bars.
Most riders on scooters and skateboards fall backwards.
A helmet cannot prevent a bike crash or fall, but it can save a child’s life and prevent permanent brain injury including concussions.
This slide covers prevention and predictability. Read the slide to participants.
Riders usually fall off bikes to the side or are thrown over the handle bars.
Most riders on scooters and skateboards fall backwards.
A helmet cannot prevent a bike crash or fall, but it can save a child’s life and prevent permanent brain injury including concussions.
You can not always predict how a child will fall off of a bike, scooter or skateboard.
It is always important for your child to wear a helmet.
Even the smallest fall can cause TBI.
So keep your child protected.
Source: Robert, Spetzler, MD, Director of Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ

8. SYMPTOMS OF CONCUSSIONS
Thinking/ Remembering
Difficulty thinking clearly
Feeling slowed down
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty remembering new information
Physical
Headache,
Fuzzy or blurry vision
Nausea or vomiting (early on)
Dizziness
Sensitivity to noise or light
Balance problems
Feeling tired, having no energy
Emotional/ Mood
Irritability
Sadness
More emotional
Nervousness or anxiety
Sleep
Sleeping more than usual
Sleep less than usual
Trouble falling asleep
This slide covers the symptoms of concussions. Review the slide with participants and read the following.
Rest is very important after a concussion because it helps the brain to heal.
Ignoring your symptoms and trying to “tough it out” often makes symptoms worse. Be patent because healing takes time.
Only when your symptoms have reduced significantly, in consultation with your doctor, should you slowly and gradually return to your daily activities, such as work or school.
If your symptoms come back or you get new symptoms as you become more active, this is a sign that you are pushing yourself too hard.
Stop these activities and take more time to rest and recover.
As the days go by, you can expect to gradually feel better.
Source: Facts about Concussion and Brain Injury

9. WHEN TO WEAR A HELMET… You should wear a helmet when: Biking
Roller Blading
Skateboarding
Using a Scooter
Horseback Riding
Rock Climbing
ATV/ Motorcycle Riding
Engaging in other sports
This slide covers when you should wear a helmet. Read the slide to participants and read the following.
You should wear a helmet when:
Biking
Roller Blading
Skateboarding
Using a Scooter
Horseback Riding
Rock Climbing
ATV/ Motorcycle Riding
Engaging in other sports (football, baseball, etc.)
It may be that one time that you do not wear a helmet that causes TBI that potentially lasts a lifetime.
Source: Robert, Spetzler, MD, Director of Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ

10. “We are what we repeatedly do, excellence, then is not an act, but a habit”. Aristotle Begin the helmet habit with a child’s first Big Wheel or tricycle.
This slide emphasizes creating early habits. Read the slide and read the following.
We are what we repeatedly do, excellence, then is not an act,
but a habit”.
Begin the helmet habit with a child’s first Big Wheel or tricycle.
First learning is impactful.
If a child starts out wearing a helmet they are more likely to continue this habit.
Be an example and wear a helmet.
Enforce wearing a helmet.
Point out sports figures wearing helmets.

11. HELMET HEAD IS HIP Wear a helmet yourself.
Make it part of your routine.
Reward a child for wearing a helmet.
Insist a helmet be worn for every ride.
Allow children to choose their own helmet color and design.
To encourage wearing a helmet, read the slide to participants.
Wear a helmet yourself.
Make it part of your routine.
Reward a child with praise or special prize for wearing a helmet.
Be consistent; insist a helmet be worn for every ride.
Encourage parents to insist on helmets.
Allow children to choose their own helmet color and design.

12. PICKING OUT A HELMET
Meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards for performance
Determine the size needed
Toddler
Child
Youth
Adult
It should have a smooth and undamaged outer surface.
This slides covers picking out helmets. Read the slide and the following information.
Picking out a Helmet
Helmets can cost as little as $8.00.
Be sure the helmet meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards for performance (usually found on sticker inside the helmet).
Know the sizes available (ex. Toddler, Child, Youth, and Adult sizes).
The helmet should fit snugly and not move from side to side.
The helmet should have a smooth and undamaged outer surface.
Source: Robert, Spetzler, MD, Director of Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ

13. CORRECT WAY TO WEAR HELMET
The helmet should be worn level and approximately 1 inch above the eyebrows.
The helmet should touch the head all the way around.
If necessary move ponytails low and out of the way.
When properly fit, a helmet should not move from side to side.
This slide covers how to correctly wear a helmet . Read the slide-you will use a helmet to demonstrate information from the slide on yourself or a participant.
The helmet should be worn level and approximately 1 inch above the eyebrows, about the width of an adult thumb.
The helmet should touch the head all the way around. Demonstrate on participant wearing the helmet.
If necessary move ponytails low and out of the way.
When properly fit, a helmet should not move from side to side. Show how snug a helmet fits a person by attempting to rotate the helmet from side to side. If properly fit it should not rotate. If the straps have been adjusted properly and the helmet rotates from side to side add the larger foam pads to the helmet interior and check for side to side rotation. If the helmet rotates side to side after the larger foam pads have been added it is recommended to try another size helmet to get proper fit.
Source: Seattle Children’s Hospital: Bike Helmet Safety

14. ADJUSTING THE STRAPS:
Adjust the rear strap first, making it smooth and snug.
Do the same with the front strap.
Have both straps meet just below the ear in a “Y.”
This slide covers how to adjust the helmet straps. Demonstrate the parts of the strap as you read each line of the slide.
Adjust the rear strap first, making it smooth and snug.
Do the same with the front strap.
Have both straps meet just below the ear in a “Y.”
Source: Seattle Children’s Hospital: Bike Helmet Safety

15. WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE
Wrong
This slide gives you examples of the correct and wrong ways to wear a helmet. Point out the correct and wrong ways children wear a helmet. Refer to slides 12 and 13 on correct ways to wear a helmet and adjusting the straps.
Correct
Wrong

16. MAKE SURE IT FITS!!!
Adjust the chinstrap last making it snug, allowing only one finger between the strap and chin. (should be able to eat and drink without feeling of being pinched or choked)
Twist the helmet to the left and right. The helmet should not move freely.
If the helmet still cannot be fitted following the above instructions, replace it with a different sized helmet.
This slide emphasizes how the helmet should fit. Read the slide to participants.
Make sure it fits. See slide 13 notes for details on checking for proper helmet fit.
Adjust the chinstrap last making it snug, allowing only one finger between the strap and chin. (should be able to eat and drink without feeling of being pinched or choked)
Finally, check to assure the helmet is fitted properly, twist the helmet to the left and right. The helmet should not move freely.
If the helmet still cannot be fitted following the above instructions, replace it with a different sized helmet.
Source: Seattle Children’s Hospital: Bike Helmet Safety

17. WHEN TO REPLACE HELMET Replace helmets every 5 years.
Replace helmet after any crash where there is head contact.
Replace damaged helmets.
This slide covers when to replace a helmet. Read the slide to participants and the following information.
Replace helmets every 5 years.
Helmets can deteriorate or become outdated where new technology may better protect the head.
Replace helmet after any crash where there is head contact.
Helmets become compromised and may not protect the head if they are no longer stable.
If you drop your helmet consider replacing it.
If you see dents or damage to your helmet replace it.
It is much easier to replace a helmet than to live with TBI.
Source: Robert, Spetzler, MD, Director of Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ

18. MAINTAINING YOUR HELMET
Wipe interior of helmets clean between users.
Do not use the following on the inside of the helmet.
detergents
cleaning chemicals
sanitizers
This slide covers maintaining your helmet. Read the following to participants.
If helmets are shared make sure they are they are wiped clean between users.
Possibility of lice transmission is minimal, as wiping the lining with a damp cloth and should remove any lice or nits.
The use of detergents, cleaning chemicals, and sanitizers, is not recommended on the inside of the helmet as they may cause the helmet to deteriorate.
Source: Robert, Spetzler, MD, Director of Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ

19. SUMMING IT UP
Injury to the head can cause life-long disabilities or death.
Wearing a bike helmet reduces a child’s risk of serious brain injury by 88%.
Know what activities require helmet use.
Encourage helmet use and help build a safety habit that lasts a life time.
Use only helmets approved by CPSC (U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) and follow replacement guidelines.
Fit helmet properly.
Properly maintain your helmet.
This slide emphasizes what participants have learned. Read slide to participants.
Summing it up
It is important to recognize helmet may be sport specific. Some helmets are safety rated for multiple sports. Be sure to check manufacture recommendations to ensure the proper helmet is utilized for the specific activity engage in,
Source: Seattle Children’s Hospital. Bike Helmet Safety
Injury to the head can cause life-long disabilities or death.
Wearing a bike helmet reduces a child’s risk of serious brain injury by 88%.
Know what activities require helmet use.
Encourage helmet use and help build a safety habit that lasts a life time.
Use only helmets approved by CPSC (U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) and follow replacement guidelines.
Fit helmet properly.
Properly maintain your helmet.
Source: Traumatic Brain Injury: Prevention is the only cure.

20. “We want to make wearing a helmet a habit, just like wearing a seat belt in a car.”
Robert, Spetzler, MD
Director of Barrow Neurological
Read this slide to participants. Also read the following.
“We want to make wearing a helmet a habit, just like wearing a seat belt in a car.”
Wearing a bike helmet reduces a child’s risk of serious brain injury by 88 percent.
Source:
Robert, Spetzler, MD, Director of Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ

21. RESOURCES
Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
Caring for Our Children
Center for Disease Control
Helmet Your Head
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Seattle Children’s Hospital
This slide covers resources for participants. Read the slide to participants.
Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
Caring for Our Children
Center for Disease Control
Helmet Your Head
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Seattle Children’s Hospital

22. THANK YOU