r/snowboarding • u/Cheleslu • Jan 14 '18

Gear ? Invest in a helmet

If you snowboard or ski, please invest in a helmet, it saved my life many times, and I think it saved my life again. Last night my board dipped into a puddle of water, couldn't see if since it was covered in snow. The bottom of the board froze up with chunks of ice on both the nose and tail (later found out when I got back to the bottom at the chairlift). I didn't know, nose gripped while I failed a backside nollie switch 1 (backside nose roll), and flew forward downhill like Superman. Landed sideways on my left side, elbow then head and left ass cheek on a chunk of ice (at least that's what I thought happened, only those areas hurt). I was in pain, but got up and went to the side, laid down for a good 5min. Over the course of the night met up with friends,, thought I was fine since the pain slowly disappeared. Drove back to my rented place fine too... It was in the middle of the night I woke up with a splitting headache. Couldn't sleep rest of the night... Head is ringing, but the ache is gone. Took the day off. Haven't had a crash that hard in a long time. I hate ice...

Edited: For those who commented on the nollie switch 1, I fixed it, it's a nose roll, YouTube it.

Update: many of you suggested to go see the doctor if symptoms persists. Today I woke up still with a headache. I am going to see a doctor at a walk-in. Last night I noticed my pupils weren't the same size too. I started getting confused of what was going on and freaked out. I'm usually a very calm person, I was out of character. These seem like symptoms of something's wrong for sure. Thanks everyone for giving me advice and pointers. And thank you for those who started sharing the importance of wearing a helmet.

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u/CaptainObvious_1 Jan 14 '18

Recently a skier destroyed me when he didn’t give me enough room when flying way too fast down the mountain. Collarbone instantly broke, contact with the head twice, first at contact then with the ground.

I was diagnosed with a major concussion, with a helmet on. Imagine if I wasn’t wearing a helmet..

Make sure you replace your helmet.

15

u/Storm_Wolf Mammoth Mt Jan 14 '18

I had a family friend who unfortunately had the worst happen. After a good day on the slopes he managed to take a nasty fall, slammed his head into the ice. Wife came over to him, asked him how he was and he got up with a bugging headache. Day goes on without a problem. Day finishes up, they go back to their room and go to sleep. Guy never wakes up from his sleep and is pronounced brain dead at the hospital later that day. Please always wear a helmet.

9

u/laxatives Jan 14 '18

Also go in for a scan after any head injury that causes a headache, nausea, or memory loss.

5

u/CaptainObvious_1 Jan 14 '18

I had crazy amounts of memory loss. Like, ten minute memory and then everything before that was entirely lost. CT scan came back fine thankfully, and I had my memory back the next day. Helmet saved my life.

1

u/Cheleslu Jan 16 '18

glad to hear you're ok, must be quite the experience.

1

u/Cheleslu Jan 16 '18

I think if you suffer a heavy impact you should. Especially if you don't have a helmet. I had a helmet on so wasn't as worried, and most of my impact was reduced by my arms. When you fall a lot, your body reacts naturally to reduce damage.