Helmet-Riding to the Next Generation

A helmet is a type of head protection that is worn on the head. By decreasing the impact of a force or collision to the head, a helmet seeks to lessen the risk of significant head and brain injuries. The shell, EPS liner, Comfort liner, Cheek pads, Visor, and Retention or closing mechanism are the different sections of a helmet. The outer shell of a motorcycle helmet can be made lighter and more comfortable by using materials that reduce weight and absorb energy. Metal foams are a type of cellular material that has a number of fascinating qualities, including high stiffness and low specific weight, as well as effective energy absorption. These distinct features make them suitable for a wide range of applications, from car bumpers to aircraft crash recorders. Keywords: Helmet, Material Selection, CFRP, Bluetooth

Evaluating the Performance of a Hockey Helmet in Mitigating Concussion Risk Using Measures of Acceleration and Energy During Simulated Free Fall

Hockey helmets represent the best form of head protection available to reduce the occurrence of skull fracture and concussion. Currently, helmet testing protocols focus on the reduction of peak linear acceleration measures. Gaps exist in analyzing how certain impact factors such as angle, neck stiffness, and location influence the energy loaded to the helmet and the risk of injury during head collisions. This study examined the effect of helmet impact angle, neck stiffness-torque levels, and helmet impact locations on energy reduction and risk of head injury grounded on acceleration measures using simulated free fall head collisions. The researchers conducted 540 impacts to collect the data. The results revealed statistical interaction effects between the angle of impact and location on measures of energy and risk of head injury. This study builds on existing literature by introducing an energy measurement technique to assess helmet performance. The outcome also provides an avenue for helmet manufacturers to evaluate the performance of the helmet in reducing concussion risk.

Comparison of injury patterns between electric bicycle, bicycle and motorcycle accidents

Objective Electric bicycles (E-bikes) are an increasingly popular means of transport, especially in the current Covid-19 pandemic situation. Accident statistics show that E-bikes are growingly involved in traffic accidents. This study evaluates the injury pattern and severity of E-bike injuries in direct comparison to injuries in motorcycle and bicycle accidents. Methods In a retrospective cohort study, the data of 1796 patients who were treated at a Level I Trauma Center between 2009 and 2018 due to traffic accident, involving bicycles, E-bikes or motorcycles, were evaluated and compared with regard to injury patterns and injury severity. Accident victims treated as inpatients with at least 16 years of age were included in this study. Pillion passengers and outpatients were excluded. Results The following distribution was found in the individual groups: 67 E-bike, 1141 bicycle and 588 motorcycle accidents. The injury pattern of E-bikers resembled that of bicyclists much more than that of motorcyclists. The patients with E-bike accidents were almost 14 years older and had a higher incidence of moderate traumatic brain injuries than patients with bicycle accidents. Considering the E-bike riders wore nearly twice as often a helmet as bicycle riders. In comparison, the motorcyclists involved in an accident had fewer facial injuries, but more frequent and more serious injuries to the spine, abdomen and lower extremities. Conclusion The overall E-bike injury pattern is similar to that of cyclists. The differences in the injury pattern to motorcycle accidents could be due to the higher speeds at the time of the accident, the different protection and vehicle architecture. What is striking, however, is the higher age and the increased craniocerebral trauma of the E-bikers involved in accidents compared to the cyclists. Older and untrained people who have a slower reaction time and less control over the E-bike could benefit from head protection or practical courses similar to motorcyclists.

Gambaran Luka pada Kecelakaan Lalu Lintas Khususnya Pengendara Kendaraan Roda Dua yang Tidak Memakai Helm

According to WHO data, the Global status report on road safety 2018, Indonesia in 2018, with a population of 261,115,456 people reported 31,282 deaths due to traffic accidents, with an estimated mortality rate of 12.2 per 100,000 people. From the number of deaths, 73.6% were two-wheeled-vehicle riders. It is also stated in this report that even though Indonesia has implemented regulations regarding the need to wear head protection while riding, it is estimated that only 71% wear helmets. This study was aimed to obtain the description of injuries that occurred among two-wheeled-vehicle riders who had traffic accidents with and without wearing helmets. The results showed that the wound description of two-wheeled riders who did not wear helmets was not much different from the riders who wore helmets when they had traffic accidents, however, it could be differed from the severity of the injuries. In conclusion, there was a difference in wound description of traffic accidents between two-wheeled drivers with and without wearing helmets. Keywords: wound, traffic accident, two-wheeled riders, helmet Abstrak: Menurut data WHO “Global status report on road safety 2018”, pada tahun 2018, Indonesia dengan populasi 261.115.456 penduduk dilaporkan mengalami 31.282 jumlah kematian akibat kecelakaan lalu lintas, dengan estimasi angka kematian 12,2 per 100.000 orang. Dari jumlah kejadian kematian tersebut, 73,6% ialah pengendara kendaraan roda dua. Dikatakan juga bahwa dari semua pengendara tersebut, walaupun Indonesia telah menerapkan peraturan akan keperluan memakai alat pelindung kepala selagi berlalu lintas, terestimasi hanya 71% yang memakai helm. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan gambaran luka pada kecelakaan lalu lintas khususnya pengendara kendaraan roda dua yang tidak memakai helm. Jenis penelitian ialah literature review, menggunakan data yang diperoleh dari database Pubmed, Clinical Key, dan Google Scholar. Hasil penelitian mendapatkan 10 literatur yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi serta lolos tahap seleksi dari 1.321 literatur. Gambaran luka yang didapat pada pengendara roda dua yang tidak dan yang memakai helm saat mengalami kecelakaan lalu lintas dapat dibedakan dengan melihat tingkat keparahan dari luka dan cedera yang dialami oleh pengendara tersebut. Simpulan penelitian ini ialah terdapat perbedaan gambaran luka akibat kecelakaan pada pengendara roda dua yang memakai helm dan yang tidak memakai helm.Kata kunci: luka, kecelakaan lalu lintas, pengendara roda dua, helm

Effect of Hearing and Head Protection on the Localization of Tonal and Broadband Reverse Alarms

Objective This study explored the effects of hearing protection devices (HPDs) and head protection on the ability of normal-hearing individuals to localize reverse alarms in background noise. Background Among factors potentially contributing to accidents involving heavy vehicles, reverse alarms can be difficult to localize in space, leading to errors in identifying the source of danger. Previous studies have shown that traditional tonal alarms are more difficult to localize than broadband alarms. In addition, HPDs and safety helmets may further impair localization. Method Standing in the middle of an array of eight loudspeakers, participants with and without HPDs (passive and level-dependent) had to identify the loudspeaker emitting a single cycle of the alarm while performing a task on a tablet computer. Results The broadband alarm was easier to localize than the tonal alarm. Passive HPDs had a significant impact on sound localization (earmuffs generally more so than earplugs), particularly double hearing protection, and level-dependent HPDs did not fully restore sound localization abilities. The safety helmet had a much lesser impact on performance than HPDs. Conclusion Where good sound localization abilities are essential in noisy workplaces, the broadband alarm should be used, double hearing protection should be avoided, and earplug-style passive or level-dependent devices may be a better choice than earmuff-style devices. Construction safety helmets, however, seem to have only a minimal effect on sound localization. Application Results of this study will help stakeholders make decisions that are more informed in promoting safer workplaces.