OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: E74 on June 24, 2010, 10:03:26 pm

Title: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: E74 on June 24, 2010, 10:03:26 pm
Just threading this as I am having a hard time throwing my leg over a bike as late considering my profesion, it really can be a mental battle when you see what I do every day.

 In the past two weeks I have had at least 6 Wheelchair demo's for dirt bike related paralasis and just heard that a mate of a mate was just paralised at the A2Day in the Watagans on the weekend.

I know shit happens but if your wearing a Leatt ot equivilent neck brace and a pressure suit with good spine protection your chances of a spinal injury is greatly reduced,....and the older we get the easier we break.

It is also important that your suspension is properly tuned to your weight and riding ability.

Believe me all this is of little cost all things considered.

Magoo Chandler never got the chance to spread the word about this exact point, I think it's an important one and it needs to be heard.

Thanks for Listening. :)
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: jimg1au on June 24, 2010, 10:35:16 pm
i wear a neck brace on dirttrack it is a acerbis sits under my helmet on top on my body armor.
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: Nathan S on June 24, 2010, 11:06:30 pm
Yes.
It annoys me that people talk about how they're not 100% effective, and that sometimes they might cause moreharm than good... But its pretty obvious that they provide a clear benefit, overall.

I've read that airbags in cars kill one person for every 22/36 that they save (depending on which stats you believe).
lots of people read that and think: "Jebus! People are killed by their airbags!", but they overlook the 22:1 ratio....

To look at it another way:
If you had 23 family members all sitting in electic chairs and you had to flick the switch in either of two directions - the first direction killed one of them, while the other direction killed 22 of them... Which direction would you choose?
now imagine that you weren't flicking the switch, but could choose the position it was in when/if someone else decided to turn the power on. Does that change your mind?
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: Nathan S on June 24, 2010, 11:09:30 pm
OK, let's also imagine that its the family members that you actually like, and you can't choose who is the odd one out...
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: Davey Crocket on June 25, 2010, 07:34:06 am
People still forget that it's not IF you fall off, but WHEN you fall off.....it's gonna happen eventually...law of averages....nobody goes out riding thinking there gonna crash but it does happen.....it's like safe sex...with a condon or without?. How much is a neckbrace compaired to a good set of boots or helmut?. They have come down heaps in price lately so it should be part of your "kit"..to use a phrase from our elder statesman Mr Firkin. The sooner it becomes mantadory the better.
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: TM BILL on June 25, 2010, 08:16:35 am
Yes.
It annoys me that people talk about how they're not 100% effective, and that sometimes they might cause moreharm than good... But its pretty obvious that they provide a clear benefit, overall.

I've read that airbags in cars kill one person for every 22/36 that they save (depending on which stats you believe).
lots of people read that and think: "Jebus! People are killed by their airbags!", but they overlook the 22:1 ratio....

To look at it another way:
If you had 23 family members all sitting in electic chairs and you had to flick the switch in either of two directions - the first direction killed one of them, while the other direction killed 22 of them... Which direction would you choose?
now imagine that you weren't flicking the switch, but could choose the position it was in when/if someone else decided to turn the power on. Does that change your mind?

Nathan i know what you mean  ;) I keep getting told by the media that 23% of road deaths are caused by drunk drivers  :o So obviously the other 77% of fatal crashes are caused by sober drivers  :o

So if you drive drunk then you are 77% less likley to kill somone  :-\

And yes i do wear a neck brace  :) Davey Crocket convinced me a couple of years ago  8)

Im going to start wearing it while driving, just in case i run into one of those bloody sober drivers  ;D

Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: TT on June 25, 2010, 08:42:16 am
I raced for 20 years without a neck brace or even body armour. Just didn't feel comfortable in them.
Then one day I got a good whack on the spine and spend 7 hours duct taped to a spinal board wondering if it was serious or not.................  ::)
Although there was no serious permanent damage, those 7 hours were much more uncomfortable than wearing the right gear would have been.
Thanks for the reminder.  :)
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: Hoony on June 25, 2010, 09:12:55 am
i too have been considering what to buy in this area.

can the guys that wear them please let us know what your thoughts are with each type you are wearing?
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: Paddles on June 25, 2010, 09:26:12 am
ok gents, like hoony i don't currently wear/own one but reading this has got me interested. what are the better brands/models to look for, and do you know if any of the private health insurances cover some of the costs?
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: Nathan S on June 25, 2010, 09:32:10 am
I've got a Leatt Adventure. Cost me $500(?) about 12 months back, but I think they're down to $350 now.

Its feels like it will do the right thing - I haven't "tested" it yet, but when I swivel my head around, the helmet contacts it before my neck starts complaining.

I have absolutley no issues with the comfort side of things - its an extra thing to put on/take off, but I very, very rarely notice it when I'm wearing it. Actually, the main time I notice it is in the pits, when you're doing something like looking for something under the car seat...
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: Nathan S on June 25, 2010, 09:35:17 am
Bill, you should get into politics. Or accounting.

Here's one you might like: Due to exponential population growth, it is estimated that there are more people currently alive, than have ever previously lived: More than half the people ever born are still alive. So... half the population will live forever.
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: Paddles on June 25, 2010, 09:36:20 am
thanx nathan, they're around that price on everyone's favourite auction site at the moment, i'll now chase up the insurance thing to see if they'll kick in. your population theory is frying my brain though.
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: E74 on June 25, 2010, 09:37:04 am
Leatt is what I wear, it seems to have set the standard, Alpinestar have an equivilent, these two are the only two on the market that I would consider.

http://www.leatt-brace.com/

(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n208/hemiy09/leatt.jpg)

http://www.alpinestars.com/store/productdetails.aspx?productid=650009&cs=1

(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n208/hemiy09/alpinestars-bionic-neck-support.jpg)


One thing to point out is that plastic roost prtectors are just that, roost procectors, they have no significant protection, if you want protection you need to wear a pressure suit.

 Alpinestar also have an exellent pressure suit/body armour as well as Dainese.


(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n208/hemiy09/dainese-impact-jacket-main.jpg)


(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n208/hemiy09/apparel-alpinestars-offroad-bodyarm.jpg)
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: vmxrider on June 25, 2010, 09:37:43 am
Some good comments here about neck braces.
http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=9751.msg95898#msg95898
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: Tex on June 25, 2010, 09:38:44 am
Quote
can the guys that wear them please let us know what your thoughts are with each type you are wearing?

I bought an EVS one about 9 months or so ago (can't recall exactly). It was cheaper than the Leatt, but looks to be just as well made. I am happy with it.

I procrastinated for a while, as I'd heard that braces can cause collar bone injuries in minor crashes. I have an existing shoulder injury that I don't want to aggravate, but I decided I wanted to protect against a broken neck more!

They do take a bit of getting used to, but so does riding a new bike. There is some restriction in your movement, but you just work around it.

Hopefully I'll never get to find out how well it works. Wear as much safety gear as you can. If I had done so I might not have that shoulder injury...

Tex
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: mainline on June 25, 2010, 10:25:16 am
I picked up the 1st issue of the new aussie bike mag (the name of which I can't remember) and it has a good write up on the braces available and the pros and cons of each.
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: Graeme M on June 25, 2010, 10:51:48 am
I wear a dainese suit and an EVS neck roll most of the time, and occasionally an EVS neck brace. the EVS is cheap but certainly less effective looking than the Leatt. I have crashed my brains out a few times in this getup and have managed not to scuff any flesh of receive any bad bruising etc. It hasn't prevented me cracking/breaking a few ribs here and there though. On a few occasions I have had other bikes hit me when I am on the ground and I've felt the impact on the body armour but no injury. I reckon these suits are brilliant. As for the neck brace/roll thing... dunno. I guess I never want to test it.

But I have always been one for wearing all the gear. The only thing I don't have are knee braces. I have very good full coverage articulated knee/shin guards and they provide excellent protection but of course won't prevent nasty knee injuries.

I think it's best to wear as much protection as you can afford and are comfortable wearing...
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: EML on June 25, 2010, 11:45:30 am
I heard on the vine that someone was to make a new concept brace that incorparates shoulder pads-is this correct or did I dream it?
Seemed like a very good idea(at least in the dream/ :D)
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: shorelinemc on June 25, 2010, 12:47:02 pm
EVS NECK BRACES ,deal for forum members 290.00 including post-eastern states .sa.wa post will dearer
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: mainline on June 25, 2010, 04:26:52 pm
Transmoto is the name of the new bike mag I was talking about. Quite a good read actually compared to what's on the market.

The EVS brace rates quite well in the article, I've got one myself and wouldn't ride without it.

The neck rolls don't rate very well, the idea being that they could act as a fulcrum under your helmet if your head is pushed to one side or another rather than a direct downwards force. Plus I reckon they'd just compress anyway.

I've let a couple of guys know about the EVS deal Robin, does it apply to a mate of a forum member? ;D
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: evo550 on June 25, 2010, 05:37:13 pm
I heard on the vine that someone was to make a new concept brace that incorparates shoulder pads-is this correct or did I dream it?
Seemed like a very good idea(at least in the dream/ :D)

661 Droid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_lAx4zG6to
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: shorelinemc on June 26, 2010, 09:23:01 am
yes will apply to your mate
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: VMX247 on June 26, 2010, 06:02:04 pm
what I mostly see around WA  8)
http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=9751.0
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: Hoony on June 26, 2010, 08:09:35 pm
anyone know where i can buy  Leatt "Club" or "Sport" neck braces for a good price ?

someone must have checked all the options locally and via the net recently who can save me some time if possible.
Title: Re: Wear a Neck Brace !!
Post by: evo550 on June 26, 2010, 10:31:25 pm
I've got to say that the Alpine star brace is far more comfortable than the Leatt.
Easier to get on and off as well.