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| Q&A: Dr David Hartman on Head Injuries (824 Posts)
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Cliff Sliding
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On 10/24/2002
Dave H.
wrote in from
(12.249.nnn.nnn)
Cliff,
Let's talk through this site. I'll bet more than a few readers would benefit from your knowledge. Your technique has made falling a form of safe skating, in itself. So when are you going to make us some official "Coleman Slide" gloves. . . (g)
Best, drD
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Dr. Dave's daughter on a skateboard.
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On 10/24/2002
Cliff Coelman
wrote in from
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Dr. Dave,
If you or your daughter is going to ride a skateboard, please share a conversation with me on the phone or by e-mail. I'd like to discuss slide safety equipment with you. First, you might like to read an article I wrote in 1982 entitled, "Street Slidin'". You can find the article at: Gravityboard.com. Go to rider profiles and click on the name Cliff Coleman. You will find the article there.
Remember, falling happens, getting hurt is against the rules.
Sincerely,
Cliff Coleman
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Christian Values
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On 10/24/2002
Dr Dave
wrote in from
(12.249.nnn.nnn)
Christian,
A great way to turn a personal injury into a public good. Remind us right before the show, to make sure that everyone is tuned or taped to the channel. Yes, TV needs a sensational angle, but the outcome is that Christian became a safety advocate. Thanks for being on-message C.
(So, Patio, lay off this guy, OK? He's promoting helmet safety and getting the law on the side of saving people. It's in a good cause :) )
Sk8SAFE drD
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Thanks to all from Dr. Dave
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On 10/24/2002
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
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Michael,
Whoa! I'm totally stoked and totally surprised! I figured after all that time, the contest had passed me by. . .My daughter is going nuts about wanting to try it. . . .Thanks Michael, to you and Turner and International Longboarder. If there is even one person on NCDSA who hasn't read Michael's mag, well, you don't got religion unless you read the Bible. . . . If you don't have a sport until your sport has a magazine, then ILB has helped make longboarding a Sport. A big hand for Michael (and let's include Adam, of course, for this website). By the way, if you haven't actually paid Michael for a subscription to ILB, think about subsidizing your sport and the creative mind behind the magazine.
So thanks to all from Dr. Dave - for ILB's Turner board, and for Adam's web niche where I can save some heads.
Dr. Dave
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YOU READ IT HERE FIRST DAVE
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On 10/24/2002 michael brooke
wrote in from
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Congrats Dr. Dave!
you won the Turner giveaway from International Longboarder Magazine...
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"You Gotta See This!"
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On 10/24/2002
Christian
wrote in from
(157.201.nnn.nnn)
The story will air on Fox Sports Network on Saturday, April 26th and it is the longest (time wise--length) story that they have ever done, and it is the lead/main story. It includes interviews with my two friends who were with me when I wrecked, as well as my mother, my main Intensive Care doctor, and I am also featured. It shows the video of my actual fall as well as pictures of me in the hospital, video of me home from the hospital for the first time and also footage of my speech to the CA State Senate Transportation Committee, in favor of Bill SB 1924.
Keep Ridin', and Keep it CALI'
Lata,
Christian
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Mr Safety
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On 10/20/2002
Adam
wrote in from
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Welcome back, Mr. Safety! It's been too long.
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Nice to see this
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On 10/20/2002
Keith Fellmy
wrote in from
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I have been out of street luge for three years now. I have purchased a new luge and will be riding again shortly. As soon as I get "un-married." Hehehe. Nice to see safety taken more seriously. I used to post on this site as Mr. Safety. Everyone rode my butt about it...stop preaching they would say. It is nice to see this forum on this site. Mostly kids were writing in talking about bombing large hills in shorts and bare feet. Yeeeeouch. I see that safety is becoming a big issue on this site. Great!!!! I am 37 years old and I noticed things don't heel quite as fast as they used too. ANd they hurt a lot worse too.
Can't go luging yet...no leathers and no helmet. Gotta hve that.
Later
Mr. Safety
Keith Fellmy
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Sue?
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On 10/20/2002
Nima
wrote in from
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Well allright... :-)
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Stop! Don't Sue!
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On 10/19/2002
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
(12.249.nnn.nnn)
Nima's makes a valid point. Don't muck up the legal system witn trivial lawsuits. My earlier point, though, was that using a weight on your neck was asking for trouble. Better to avoid the exercise than sue the health club from a wheelchair. OK Nima? :)
drD
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The Law unto Me?? Ouch!
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On 10/18/2002
Nima
wrote in from
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Ha..!! Ha...!! Touché.
The point remains, however, that we don't want to encourage any more people to seek lawyers who are more than willing to oblige. And... It should also be noted that the verdicts in cases that you and I may find outrageous don't come from the lawyers or the judges. It is the jurors (who are people like us... some may even skate!!)who come up with the numbers as they are. The lawyer? Can you blame a guy to want to try out his theory of liability to make a buck? And, why blame him when 12 strangers are willing to agree with him?
Nima
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"you gotta' see this"
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On 10/18/2002 Patio
wrote in from
(63.171.nnn.nnn)
I don't "gotta" see anything, and I don't watch these shows that make fun of/glorify people getting hurt and stuff.
I don't see how watching people's arms and legs snap, skulls crack, and general horriffic accidents and such can be "entertaining".
to some, perhaps they enjoy it, but I "ain't gotta'/gonna' see nothin'".
:)
p
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Christian Television
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On 10/18/2002
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
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Christian,
Fantastic! Please post a more detailed explanation, along with the expected time and channel of the show.
Thanks! drD
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New Helmet Law
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On 10/17/2002
Christian
wrote in from
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I was on here a couple of months ago telling you all about my own wreck as well as the new law that I spoke in favor of as a result. I will be the lead story on "You Gotta See This" on April 26th and I wanted all of you to know that the law was signed into action on September 11th by Governor Davis, and it will be enforced as of January 1st, 2003. Please start pitching it to all of the minors you see out riding, and do it in a positive light because it is for the best and there is much wisdom in it.
Thank You All,
Christian
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The Law unto Nima
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On 10/17/2002
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
(12.249.nnn.nnn)
Nima,
I bet that someone who blows his neck out under the supervision of their "personal health club trainer" is going to be under the 50% standard of contributory negligence. The deep pocketed health club will be left explaining in court why they teach exercises to paralyze their patrons. . . . . Now, I think you'd be correct about Leo's buddy. . . .I don't think you sue GM because they made a bumper that skateboarders could grab onto. . . but, seeing that lawyers are now suing MacDonald's for their clients obesity, I guess anything is possible (g).
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Sue Someone
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On 10/17/2002
Nima
wrote in from
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Now doctor, I hope you are not recommending people to go ahead and engage in risky exercise just because there may be an opportunity to sue someone :-) The idea won't always work because not everyone can be blamed for self inflicted wounds and injuries resulting from one's own contributory negligence. In Illinois, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you get nothing, and you may be liable for the court costs of the person you have unsuccessfully sued... Also, the theory of “assumption of risk” is always there to either reduce or bar recovery for injuries resulting from activity with open and obvious danger…
Just my 2 cents worth
Nima
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Leo's Mohawk
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On 10/15/2002
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
(166.90.nnn.nnn)
Leo's friend has an arc of staples on the side of his shaved head where it was fractured. Not a pretty site unless you are into punk mutilation. Based on the description, I wouldn't be surprised if Leo's buddy had continuing brain-related problems after all the staples are removed. A helmet probably would have prevented all of that.
Pulling yourself behind cars only works in science fiction - Neal Stephenson's spectacular "Snowcrash" has skateboarding couriers hauling themselves by electomagnetic lassos that they attach to the back of passing cars. Sounds great on paper, but the physics of it in real life would either rip your arms off or send you off your board to sand your skin and head flat on the asphalt. A good reason to keep sci-fi and skateboarding separate.
sk8Safe drD
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a nice mohawk
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On 10/15/2002
leo
wrote in from
(199.82.nnn.nnn)
a friend of mine was grabing of a car that took him up the hill he was skating, when they reach the top he pulled more to pass the car, when he hit it and crashed against the road and the curb, he almost died for that, fractured his skull, arm, and got convulsions and he went in coma for a few days.
he is not an experienced skater and of course, he wasnt wearing a helmet, i have the pic of him with a nice mohawk product of his 30 staples of the operation. he is concious now, still waitng for the medical report of his future.
the pic its impressive, Dr D. saw it and i will try to get his consentment to post it in here.
leo
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Sticking your neck out
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On 10/13/2002
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
(12.249.nnn.nnn)
Light stretching before exercise is useful. Using a weight for neck exercises is dicey and I don't recommend it unless you are doing it under the supervision of someone you can sue if something goes wrong.
drD
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pain in the neck
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On 10/12/2002 sk8nwolf
wrote in from
(63.171.nnn.nnn)
Perhaps the easiest answer to decreasing neck injury, or preventing it would be stretching.
The addition of weight, if you feel that it is necessary, should be rather light. But a good long slow stretch will do wonders for neck muscles...
Isn't that about right Doc?
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Brain in the neck.. . .
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On 10/11/2002
Dr. Dave
wrote in from
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Brain,
If I understand you, the exercises you are doing can be major danger if you aren't working with an exercise pro (or if you're not). Weight exercises, especially on the neck can be plenty dangerous, read: disc damage, paralysis, etc.
So, be careful.
Assuming you have a neck the size of a fire hydrant and can bench press an SUV, you might want to consult a chiropractor or a fitness specialist to make sure your technique is safe.
Regardless, if you get numbness, pain, shooting pain, STOP! and give it a rest. See an ortho or a chiro if it persists.
drD
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S One
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On 10/9/2002 dan
wrote in from
(209.191.nnn.nnn)
My son needed a new helmet, and I've told him that he can have any helmet he wants, as long as he wears it. Well, we looked at various helmets at the local skate/snowboard shop. And *none* had the afore mentioned labels that I wanted to see. So, I purchased the one that had the most padding.
It's made by "S One", and compared to the helmet I use, it has twice thickness of the dense padding. I was impressed, and plan on purchasing one for myself, when mine wears out.
When will these helmets have certifications or stickers that state their recomended usages? The only sticker inside this one said don't use as a motorcycle helmet.
dan
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helmet self-conciousness
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On 10/9/2002 rob
wrote in from
(64.231.nnn.nnn)
A week or two ago, I went out to skate a bit in the parking lot at then end of my street and took along pads, gloves, and helmet (after a quick self-concious peek in the mirror)
I ran into my (non-skating) girlfriend, who proceeded to tease me about the helmet, and triggering kind of a nasty argument. I eventually got her to accept the fact that I wore the helmet 'cause I thought I might fall, and she grudgingly conceded, and we went to bed. That morning I left Dr. Dave's article in ILB out where she'd read it with her morning coffee, and not only did I get a heartfelt apology that morning, but now she gives me grief for NOT wearing the helmet if she catches me.
Perhaps as more helmet wearers get media exposure, we'll worry less about looking like dorks, and worry more about getting stylish helmets.
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Neck Pressure
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On 10/7/2002
"Brain"
wrote in from
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Dr. Dave
I was working on some headstands the other day, when I noticed some stiffness and soreness in my neck. I've been doing alot of neck excercises such as shrugs, military presses, and extensions side to side and back to front with weight. What sort of excercise would you recommend to prevent from hurting my neck further.
"Brain"
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Head Case
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On 10/7/2002
dan hughes
wrote in from
(209.191.nnn.nnn)
I like to say: "Use your head and protect it, otherwise you won't be able to."
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