Emergency helmet removal

[Jack Gifford]

I see that Simpson just acquired "Shock Doctor" helmet removal products (and has a special price right now of only $49.95). Simpson's website has a good description of it, and says that most EMTs are already familiar with its use. I'm inclined to use one- anybody heard anything negative about this form of emergency removal?

[tauruck]

It won't do no harm having one.

I'd say definitely a good innovation.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Jack:  I got your note asking about a "safety" thread -- and we've already got this one.  Yes, it's labeled "Shop Safety" and not "Safety in general", but we do have one that might fit the bill.  If I were to try to make it more generic - safety in general - where should I put it?  Or should we have two safety threads, each specifying which type of safety we're discussing?  I'd sure rather have just one so we don't miss something that's important, but will be willing to listen to your (and others') comments.  Safety is good, no doubt.  But if we only see one safety tip because we didn't know to look for another -- that might not be so good.

[rouse]

NHRA requires them in the upper classes TF,FC,TAD,AFC, I'm not sure what's required in the other classes. The emergency crews need to have their training, and hardware ready, for them to fully function properly when needed.

The ones I have seen need a air pump to be used by the first responders. They cut the chinstrap and pump the air bladder up to lift the helmet off. I guess that's better in some cases than just yanking it off.

Rouse

[kiwi belly tank]

Well I had to google that to find out what the hell it is! Everybody else know what that is?
  Sid.

[fredvance]

Nope

[jdincau]

An air bladder inside the top of the helmet with a tube to allow inflation. In practice the helmet strap is cut and the bladder inflated to jack the helmet off the head without putting any tension on the neck. it requires the first responder to know how to use it and have an inflation device.

[Frank06]

Does anyone know what the inflation device looks like?

In general, helmets are not removed unless there are airway/breathing problems but it would be good to learn about these.  They sound like an investment to consider.

[Tman]

Well I had to google that to find out what the hell it is! Everybody else know what that is?
  Sid.

Yup, I sure did. Been discussion here several times in fact. 

[entropy]

panic seems to be panicked by the idea of a helmet ejection device.

I'm not panicked, nope.
Simpson installed one in my new helmet a month ago.

http://stilo-usa.com/docs/Shock_Doctor_Eject_Helmet_Removal_System.pdf

Can we agree that all risk cannot be extinguished?

Can we agree that the likelyhood of a neck injury is WAY higher than a totally fractured skull, say 1000:1?

For me it's all about risk mitigation, i.e. increasing the safety odds in my favor.

[Glen]

99% of the incidents I was on at the lakes and salt the first thing the EMT,s do is a quick check of the driver and then they put a horse collar around around the drivers neck, even if the driver is awake. This is standard practice,then they put  a back board behind the driver to support him during the extraction from the vehicle.

[Peter Jack]

After a severe tumble in a race car or off a motorcycle while wearing a crash helmet I think i'd appreciate if the helmet ejection system was used. If the skull is severely damaged while wearing a helmet I'm sure the helmet would show some damage too and then the discretion of the medical team would be appreciated.

Pete

[RidgeRunner]

Jack:  I got your note asking about a "safety" thread -- and we've already got this one.  Yes, it's labeled "Shop Safety" and not "Safety in general", but we do have one that might fit the bill.  If I were to try to make it more generic - safety in general - where should I put it?  Or should we have two safety threads, each specifying which type of safety we're discussing?  I'd sure rather have just one so we don't miss something that's important, but will be willing to listen to your (and others') comments.  Safety is good, no doubt.  But if we only see one safety tip because we didn't know to look for another -- that might not be so good.

Slim,

     How about leaving the thread where it is and dropping the "shop" from the title?  That would open it up for safety topics related to the drivers/riders, pits, tracks, and vehicles along with the oft overlooked or underconsidered safely towing/hauling to and from events.  Topics would be harder to miss all in one spot that we already know the location of.

                            Ed

                        

    

[wobblywalrus]

Our dirt bike club folks had some fairly recent training on this.  We hold an event every year.  In summary, we are supposed to immobilize the head so it does not flop around, move it the head the absolute minimum that is needed to unkink the airway, and keep the victim stable until he/she is hauled out.  They told is the lid is sawed in half and taken off at the hospital.

That is a good idea.  They have all sorts of support equipment at the hospital to deal with what they find under the helmet and training and equipment to handle the patient's reactions upon its removal 

[Saltfever]

Good idea. Drop "shop" and make the category generic "safety" to encompass any environment.