Well I've been wakeboarding for a long time and Sunday I finally got my first concussion. YEAH! Going up for a big HS FS 360 came up and went down head first face first. My buddy says I didn't black out but I don't remember the next 2 hours. Just thought I'd share.

I hear ya. HS FS 360 can be brutal if you come up short. I always remind myself right before cutting in for one that I'm going to pull like crazy. <BR> <BR>Heal up quick and feel better.

Wear a helmet!!!!!

Ordered the Protec helmet from wakeside a week ago, supposed to come tomorrow. I'm taking no chances and charging hard.

Back Roll gone bad a couple years ago.........Rode more but don't remember any of it. Emergency Room cleared me to drive and I don't even remember really being there. Good thing I had a ride.

I'm already feeling better. I also in no way believe a helmet would have helped in this situation. IMO a helmet doesn't help unless you hit something solid. I'll be riding again in a week. I've fallen A LOT trying to get these consistent and this is the first time I've come up short like this. I definitely won't be doing that again.

A helmet wouldn't have done shiat for a concussion via the face. It won't necesarily prevent concussions by head impact either. I argue that they can increase your chances.

You know...I thought this same thing, that a helmet doesnt help with falls...but something about it just works. I know it sounds stupid, but I havent had NEARLY the headaches that I used to get since I started wearing a helmet (protec ace wake). I actually got one to keep the board from coming loose and hitting me, but I wear it all the time now, because I seriously think it helps: I wont ride without it, unless Im just dickin around. For some reason, maybe it just takes the brunt out of the impact. I am not going to try to convince Jrod otherwise, cause its probably different for everyone.

I also got it for my ears...

jrod, i disagree. concussions help to prevent concussions, but doesn't completely prevent it. i know this from experience.

I will never war a helmet trying any flips or anything new wehre I might catch a bad edge... Ive tried it first hand it makes the falls mcuh worse....you whole neck gets ripped one way and it still hurts on ur face so wutever... take the falll without a helmet and learn from your mistakes...

^^ i rest my case. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0>

Garrett, its called the placebo effect.

I've had 3 concusions and blown out both eardrums--with and without wearing a helmet. I always wear a helmet...now! Since wearing a helmet, I do not see stars when taking a moderate fall. I believe wearing a helmet is a good idea---so does the rest of the crew--and I am seeing a lot more riders lately wearing them. If you are an agressive rider, pushing yourself, taking really hard falls, you will get a concusion eventually....with or without a helmet. I choose to wear a helmet....motorcycle, skateboard, wakeboard, etc. protect yourself! That is why there is a market for protective gear.

I believe the helmet thing is just like the flying tube, you make your own decision, your own opinion, your own risk, your body, your pain, your injury......... <BR> <BR>(Message edited by ghostrider_2 on July 05, 2006)

I wear a helmet, but I agree with both sides. I feel the helmet has helped with ear slaps, but also when I have caught my HS edge, the helmet pulls on my neck like whiplash. <BR> <BR>But, with that said, I wear mine...

Nathan, its called "I wore a helmet because I didnt want the board to dig into the back of my head on a bad invert, but I found that it tended to lessen impact headaches (an unintended advantage)." Had I bought a helmet for the INTENDED advantage, I would have been a possible victim of placebo. <BR> <BR>So intelligent with the placebo comment though! As far as I am concerned, I will continue to wear it unless I feel that I am taking harder falls with it on, which, after a year, I feel that it is has helped me greatly. NO CONCUSSIONS this year, whereas I usually average one bad one per year. <BR> <BR>See, this is why I tried not to start an argument, because everyone on this site tries to call everyone elses BS or something. Grow up. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by garret_s on July 05, 2006)

I have 100,000 reasons for my son to wear a helmet. One week in neuro-ICU plus helicopter ride = $100,000. S.L.A.P.A.H.O. Save Lives Always Put A Helmet On!

how is he doing now?

Thanks for asking. He was released from Doctors care last week. His CT scan came back clean and now he is at WWC in Groveland Fl giving lessons and training for Nationals. He is one of the lucky ones.

ouch...did he not have health insurance? <BR> <BR>glad he is okay. <BR> <BR>Just a water impact, or did he hit something stationary like a slider?

Went down hard on a Pete Rose. I had changed health insurance and it kicked in just 3days before this happened!

Good to hear. I saw him ride at Midwestcoast Summerfest this year, pretty cool. Looking forward to seeing him throw down in comp again!

" a helmet doesn't help unless you hit something solid. " <BR> <BR>water, at 25+mph is quite solid, as you found out.

Board hitting head = pain <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/342429.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR> <BR>I really don't see a single negative in wearing a good, well-fitted helmet.

JCV- I think my negative is that I don't like helmets<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>

shane, obviously it's a personal decision (and as much as i stand behind helmets, i only use one about 25% of the time) so i'm not saying everyone should be wearing one at all times, just that, if you are considering it, the only real negatives are trivial things like looks

<a href="http://www.shredready.com" target="_blank">www.shredready.com</a>

I had a bad concussion snowboarding, a lady smashed into me and knocked me out cold in the snow for about 25 seconds...this happened at 2pm and I didn't start coming to it until 10pm. The 4 hour drive home from the tahoe emergency room only felt like a quick 20 minute drive as well. The next day I felt like a had the worst hangover and teriible whiplash which lasted for 3 months. The doctors told my parents I "have" to wear a helmet wakeboarding so I do.

i agree with jeff that the only negative are trivial things like looks. <BR> <BR>i used to wear helmets all the time! the first times i tried hs3s, i used to leave early which took me off axis (not the "good way") and got a concussion or two. i didn't try 3s for a while until i got a helmet. it sounds silly, but it was like a helmet w/ courage. i started tryin' 3s again and the crashes didn't hurt nearly as much, which eventually led to me stickin' it. <BR> <BR>did it keep me from ever getting a concussion? no. i got one on a raley gone bad. but, compare that to all the other times that it saved me from one, i'd say the odds are good. <BR> <BR>i don't wear it anymore simply out of laziness. stupid, i know, but whatever. if you don't wear a helmet, that's your choice. but, don't deny its ability to help a person, especially if you haven't ridden with one and taken a bad wreck with it on. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by dakid on July 05, 2006)

two of my worst concussions ever have been playing rugby and soccer (keeper), have not seen any helmets in those sports. Have I worn a helmet during other risk activities? Yes, do I like it? No. Snow Skiing??? Hell no. I guess I am just the old man on the board who doesn't get the helmet fetish. Everyone wear whatever, my personal pet peeve is non CGA approved death vest.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/uhoh.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by auto on July 05, 2006)

I got knocked out yesterday doing a ts bs 180 w2w. Came down (they tell me) with my board perfectly parallel to the boat. But I am a pussy, so I had my USCGA vest &amp; protec helmet on. The first thing I remember was waking up under dirty ass water where I saw nothing, and thinking I am glad my vest floats, because I can't move my body. And thank god I had that stuff on, because I don't wanna know what would have happened w/o that equipment.

Guys, I gotta tell ya, I've rung my bell harder wakeboarding than I have did hitting a running back playing college football! (twice last year) So, yes, I wear a helmet. It can only help and has.

Ya if you cant ride with a helmet on then I hope you never plan on making the Pro Wakeboard Tour. Its mandetory to have a helmet on when you ride in the Pro Wakeboard Tour. IMO it should be mandatory at all wakeboards comps.

Hey David. You may want to do a Google search on "Second impact syndrome" It's cool that you walked away from this, though you're in a pretty high-risk catagory for the next few months. <BR> <BR>I rolled 2 concussions in one week. The first one characterized by nausia, slight memory loss, 5 days of "loopyness", and concentration problems. I followed the docs orders after that and stayed off the water for 2 months (middle of 04 summer.) Now I wear a helmet every time and I agree with both sides of the debate. However, I do believe they help 'most' of the time. <BR> <BR>I've had about 7 total head impacts that were sever. Now when I crash and smack lightly I get the instant Boxing Ring Boxer "punch drunk" feeling. (headache, loopyness, difficultly recalling things) Not fun stuff. But I love this sport. It's a double edged sward.

Craig, I think I have what you have. I've had at least 5 concussions, and several more that probably were but I didn't bother going to the doc. I was researching something called post-concussion syndrome. I got my last concussion June 6 (1 month ago). My left arm/hand still have a slightly numb feeling, and I can't sleep on my left side. I talked to a neuro doc in Canada who specializes in post-concussion syndrome and he said 'I would think about leaving the sport you love so much.' This really is about the worst news I could hear, and I'm thinking about ignoring it simply because its the hobby I've totally focused on for the last 4 years, and I just dang love it. I will say that I went and bought a fishing license and probably will go fishing this weekend to try and get back into it...but still, I'm bummed.

Loren, <BR>I hear you in terms of the worst news. Perhaps I'm getting old, but I have to consider the doc's advise carefully - numorous docs have advised giving up wakeboarding. I rely on mental facilities to perform my job. I'm paid for my thinking ability, not for my manual labor ability and I'd like to keep it that way. Though, I do love this sport and it's a big part of my life now. <BR> <BR>Ironically, just yesterday, I took a Tantrum really big, over rotated it..the board didn't even hit the water and I landed perfectly flat on my back in the flats. I smacked the back of my head with great force. (the back of the head hits are the most sensitive for me now) I now catagorize any head hit with symptoms as a concussion. (though I'm not a medical professional) I've been spacey today and a head-ache last night. so I guess I'd count that as another...? <BR> <BR>It is a difficult question, when will be too many...or when was it too many? If you're in a car driving to California, at some point you reach California. If I keep smacking my head I'm headed to some form of brain damage, at some point I will reach that destination.

Ever since my board split my head open at Lake Powell several years ago I have worn a helmet. I haven't had a whiplash or concussion since. I am so used to wearing one now that I feel almost naked when I forget to put it on.