Reed and no neck brace

Rim Lock
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Rim Lock 12/21/2010 2:18am
12/21/2010 2:18am
Man you guys like to talk about yourselves a lot.

Wear what the F you want and let the other wear what he wants.

Is it really a debatable topic for unproven protective gear?
Towelie
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Towelie 12/21/2010 4:45am
12/21/2010 4:45am
Rim Lock wrote:
Man you guys like to talk about yourselves a lot. Wear what the F you want and let the other wear what he wants. Is it...
Man you guys like to talk about yourselves a lot.

Wear what the F you want and let the other wear what he wants.

Is it really a debatable topic for unproven protective gear?
dont you know man, theres a few thousand experts on every subject right here on Vital
253
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253 12/21/2010 2:16pm
12/21/2010 2:16pm
TbonesPop wrote:
I wear both and still realize it's not 100% full proof that I'll be safe - I do think it helps my chances though. With a...
I wear both and still realize it's not 100% full proof that I'll be safe - I do think it helps my chances though. With a wife and two little kids that need me, a really good job, mortgage, cars, etc I try to do every intelligent thing possible to be safe. People still get killed in car wrecks when wearing seat belts and complete surround air bags. Do they improve one's chances of surviving a car wreck? Studies say they do. I believe the neck brace and chest protector help me more than nothing. Does a helmet help? Do people still die from head trauma even if they had a helmet on? Yes.

As for those talking about the thoracic part of the spine type injury. I wear my Leatt with the front "inside" my chest protector and the back "outside" my chest protector. That transfers the back loading away from a concentrated area on my spine. I'd recommend this to others. Still plenty of range to move around.

As a side note, there was a rider out here in AZ about 2 years ago warming up on a track. He was a decent rider and was just warming up for the day/evening. As he was going up the face of a table, a kid who didn't know the track very well completely overshot a double into the tablet and landed on top of this other rider as he was going up the face of the table. That was all the rider (who got landed on) could remember - just going up the face of the jump. Then it was lights out. The next thing he can now remember was waking up in the ER with a doctor tapping him on the chest. The doctor said (As he pointed over at his mangled Leatt), "I don't know how much you paid for that thing, but it saved your life". Turns out the kid landed his front wheel right in the back of this guys neck/head area. His neck would have snapped like a twig had he not had the right gear on. He ended up with just a concussion.

Immediately after hearing about this story from someone who was there, I went out and bought Leatts for my son and I. We always ride with them now.

I realize nothing will 100% guarantee complete safety, but why not protect yourself as much as reasonably possible? Just seems like the smart thing to do, and I don't care about looking cool if it saves my life (or increases my chances).
This was well written. Thats how I feel too-
bearded clam
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bearded clam 12/21/2010 3:02pm
12/21/2010 3:02pm
Slow wrote:
When i get run over by other bikes my chest protector make me feel safer.
I wear my chesty when I wressle my buddys...you should see all the scratches.
Dont wear it when I ride though.

The Shop

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Towelie
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Towelie 12/21/2010 3:53pm
12/21/2010 3:53pm
TbonesPop wrote:
I wear both and still realize it's not 100% full proof that I'll be safe - I do think it helps my chances though. With a...
I wear both and still realize it's not 100% full proof that I'll be safe - I do think it helps my chances though. With a wife and two little kids that need me, a really good job, mortgage, cars, etc I try to do every intelligent thing possible to be safe. People still get killed in car wrecks when wearing seat belts and complete surround air bags. Do they improve one's chances of surviving a car wreck? Studies say they do. I believe the neck brace and chest protector help me more than nothing. Does a helmet help? Do people still die from head trauma even if they had a helmet on? Yes.

As for those talking about the thoracic part of the spine type injury. I wear my Leatt with the front "inside" my chest protector and the back "outside" my chest protector. That transfers the back loading away from a concentrated area on my spine. I'd recommend this to others. Still plenty of range to move around.

As a side note, there was a rider out here in AZ about 2 years ago warming up on a track. He was a decent rider and was just warming up for the day/evening. As he was going up the face of a table, a kid who didn't know the track very well completely overshot a double into the tablet and landed on top of this other rider as he was going up the face of the table. That was all the rider (who got landed on) could remember - just going up the face of the jump. Then it was lights out. The next thing he can now remember was waking up in the ER with a doctor tapping him on the chest. The doctor said (As he pointed over at his mangled Leatt), "I don't know how much you paid for that thing, but it saved your life". Turns out the kid landed his front wheel right in the back of this guys neck/head area. His neck would have snapped like a twig had he not had the right gear on. He ended up with just a concussion.

Immediately after hearing about this story from someone who was there, I went out and bought Leatts for my son and I. We always ride with them now.

I realize nothing will 100% guarantee complete safety, but why not protect yourself as much as reasonably possible? Just seems like the smart thing to do, and I don't care about looking cool if it saves my life (or increases my chances).
253 wrote:
This was well written. Thats how I feel too-
Although I agree with everything you just said, there are still serious doubts about the Leatts design. But with that said you can argue the design of all of them, so like you said, run what you brung
filthyanimal 1/30/2012 8:54am
1/30/2012 8:54am
Put it this way: I'm going to hit you in the chest with a baseball bat as hard as I can, then while you're writhing around on the ground, me and a couple buddies are going to run you over with our bikes. Would you like to put chest protector on first, or just say screw it, they don't really help anyway? Then, we're going to throw you out of a moving vehicle, and while you're unconscious, we'll scoop you up and then chuck you down a flight of stairs. Would you like to have a neck brace on during all this, or F-it?

Point being, as Tbonespop alluded to, nothing is going to be able to guarantee safety, but you up your odds of walking away if you wear this stuff. I believe that you increase the chances of MINIMIZING serious injury. We're all going to get hurt, but how bad do you get hurt and where - this is something that I think we can impact. If things go really, really bad, I like my numbers while wearing the stuff rather then not.
PressPassP
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PressPassP 1/30/2012 3:38pm
1/30/2012 3:38pm
TbonesPop wrote:
I wear both and still realize it's not 100% full proof that I'll be safe - I do think it helps my chances though. With a...
I wear both and still realize it's not 100% full proof that I'll be safe - I do think it helps my chances though. With a wife and two little kids that need me, a really good job, mortgage, cars, etc I try to do every intelligent thing possible to be safe. People still get killed in car wrecks when wearing seat belts and complete surround air bags. Do they improve one's chances of surviving a car wreck? Studies say they do. I believe the neck brace and chest protector help me more than nothing. Does a helmet help? Do people still die from head trauma even if they had a helmet on? Yes.

As for those talking about the thoracic part of the spine type injury. I wear my Leatt with the front "inside" my chest protector and the back "outside" my chest protector. That transfers the back loading away from a concentrated area on my spine. I'd recommend this to others. Still plenty of range to move around.

As a side note, there was a rider out here in AZ about 2 years ago warming up on a track. He was a decent rider and was just warming up for the day/evening. As he was going up the face of a table, a kid who didn't know the track very well completely overshot a double into the tablet and landed on top of this other rider as he was going up the face of the table. That was all the rider (who got landed on) could remember - just going up the face of the jump. Then it was lights out. The next thing he can now remember was waking up in the ER with a doctor tapping him on the chest. The doctor said (As he pointed over at his mangled Leatt), "I don't know how much you paid for that thing, but it saved your life". Turns out the kid landed his front wheel right in the back of this guys neck/head area. His neck would have snapped like a twig had he not had the right gear on. He ended up with just a concussion.

Immediately after hearing about this story from someone who was there, I went out and bought Leatts for my son and I. We always ride with them now.

I realize nothing will 100% guarantee complete safety, but why not protect yourself as much as reasonably possible? Just seems like the smart thing to do, and I don't care about looking cool if it saves my life (or increases my chances).
253 wrote:
This was well written. Thats how I feel too-
Towelie wrote:
Although I agree with everything you just said, there are still serious doubts about the Leatts design. But with that said you can argue the design...
Although I agree with everything you just said, there are still serious doubts about the Leatts design. But with that said you can argue the design of all of them, so like you said, run what you brung
Reduce the %%%%%%% 's and cover yourself,nothings guaranteed in life except "death and taxes" as they say

A rock will crack body armour,just like a rib,and a lever etc could spike your torso or whatever,I used to ride with armour,my parents started me out that way and after seeing what happened to some guys who didn't,I was so glad I had it my way.Fuck the fashion show,as I've said before,some flimsy Race jersey just isn't going to cut it

I've seen the damage on my Shoei that I got paralyzed whilst wearing and matched it up with a Leatt and I genuinely feel it would have helped in some way,I actually feel it would have saved me,I'm gutted they were not quite out when I had my crash,as jem cee says,as quadraplegics,we wish we were paraplegics,you always would want a lesser injury that you have,each to their own but that's my opinion
mojoman42
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mojoman42 1/30/2012 3:42pm
1/30/2012 3:42pm
holy shit, talk about reviving a dead thread.
Andimers
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Andimers 1/30/2012 6:24pm
1/30/2012 6:24pm
mojoman42 wrote:
holy shit, talk about reviving a dead thread.
on his first post, lol!
tommycroftsbarber 1/30/2012 8:43pm
1/30/2012 8:43pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Chad answered the question... "So lots of questions about me not wearing a neck brace... Long story short I'm not a believer any more"
Reed said he saw Sharky's autopsy.. who knows..
mmcmx
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mmcmx 1/30/2012 9:19pm
1/30/2012 9:19pm
Best protection is being fit. But people prefer the safety that can be bought. I wear the chest protector just to prevent a hard hit to the handlebars and for the rost. The leatt? No thanks, better work your flexibility.
CamP
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CamP 1/30/2012 9:23pm
1/30/2012 9:23pm
mmcmx wrote:
Best protection is being fit. But people prefer the safety that can be bought. I wear the chest protector just to prevent a hard hit to...
Best protection is being fit. But people prefer the safety that can be bought. I wear the chest protector just to prevent a hard hit to the handlebars and for the rost. The leatt? No thanks, better work your flexibility.
Rattray and Morais are in the hospital broken necks. Conditioning doesn't trump physics.
Ozzy
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Ozzy 1/30/2012 10:57pm
1/30/2012 10:57pm
To neck brace or not to neck brace?
It's a personal decision, period.
End of story.

Dave O.
GuyB
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GuyB 1/30/2012 11:27pm
1/30/2012 11:27pm
Ozzy wrote:
To neck brace or not to neck brace?
It's a personal decision, period.
End of story.

Dave O.
Ozzy has spoken. And my advice is, don't mess with Ozzy.

rawmetalmedia 1/30/2012 11:52pm
1/30/2012 11:52pm Edited Date/Time 1/30/2012 11:54pm
I think the pro's reluctance to wear protective devices is part of the mental game, to compete at that level one must feel invincible, and if youre invincible, why would you need 'excessive' protection?
Kinda like the Dale Earnhart and hans device story (yes I know that the hans device and leatt brace are two different things that cannot be compered but were talking mental game here).

I dont know, I've never even been close to riding on a pro level, could be wrong. But I guess the reasoning could sound something like if youre paid to wear a brace its ok, but if you put one on for free that means that somewhere in the back of your mind theres an idea you might wad up at some point and that puts a dent in your shiny armour of self confidence.

Point is, Im a beliver so I wear one. Chad is'nt, and he does not.
Radfonz
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Radfonz 1/31/2012 3:27am
1/31/2012 3:27am
I think Chad stopped wearing one after he found out the cause of death of Andrew "Sharky" McFarlane. Neck braces can cause more head injury's because the head can't move freely and naturaly when it needs to, to protect the brain(if there's one in there)
So maybe hes thinkin he'd rather be a quadriplegic than dead?
TomZ
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TomZ 1/31/2012 7:19am
1/31/2012 7:19am
Shenzi wrote:
my buddy here in IL is receiving an Ortema he just ordered in Europe for his son. As soon as he gets it, I'll see what...
my buddy here in IL is receiving an Ortema he just ordered in Europe for his son. As soon as he gets it, I'll see what it is really, but I definitely think it is the smarter one right now, with the Omega, as it doesn't transfer any force/impact, to other parts of the spine.
I think the points Shenzi makes are good...........No BS Reed, the fact that there are now many choices available is a huge plus.

I was a very early believer and remain a believer. My perspective may be a little different than many others as i spent a huge number of hours in those first years fitting Leatt braces on hundreds of racers. At L.L, at many nationals and at local races, it gave racers and parents some measure of confidence that they mitigated a potentially catastophic injury.

Do braces save lives....maybe ? Do braces prevent catastropic injury.....probably.......... sould everyone wear a brace.....NOPE.

We all make choices and believe in things as we see fit. The fact that there is higher quality safety equipment available today is the best thing that can happen to our sport.

DV....i couldn't agree more with your question about chest protector/ neck brace combo.

Neck braces continue to evolve, boots continue to evolve, helmets continue evolve....lets hope that it will keep us safer and able to ride longer (for those of us who are a bit older).
Elbows
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Elbows 1/31/2012 9:52am
1/31/2012 9:52am
Ozzy wrote:
To neck brace or not to neck brace?
It's a personal decision, period.
End of story.

Dave O.
Best post i've seen on this topic! Short and to the point. If only women were this simple.

Pit Row

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CamP
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CamP 1/31/2012 10:13am
1/31/2012 10:13am
Radfonz wrote:
I think Chad stopped wearing one after he found out the cause of death of Andrew "Sharky" McFarlane. Neck braces can cause more head injury's because...
I think Chad stopped wearing one after he found out the cause of death of Andrew "Sharky" McFarlane. Neck braces can cause more head injury's because the head can't move freely and naturaly when it needs to, to protect the brain(if there's one in there)
So maybe hes thinkin he'd rather be a quadriplegic than dead?
Maybe the cause wasn't the neck brace, but actually the helmet that McFarlane was wearing.
flyinb501
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flyinb501 1/31/2012 11:32am
1/31/2012 11:32am
Shenzi wrote:
my buddy here in IL is receiving an Ortema he just ordered in Europe for his son. As soon as he gets it, I'll see what...
my buddy here in IL is receiving an Ortema he just ordered in Europe for his son. As soon as he gets it, I'll see what it is really, but I definitely think it is the smarter one right now, with the Omega, as it doesn't transfer any force/impact, to other parts of the spine.
TomZ wrote:
I think the points Shenzi makes are good...........No BS Reed, the fact that there are now many choices available is a huge plus. I was a...
I think the points Shenzi makes are good...........No BS Reed, the fact that there are now many choices available is a huge plus.

I was a very early believer and remain a believer. My perspective may be a little different than many others as i spent a huge number of hours in those first years fitting Leatt braces on hundreds of racers. At L.L, at many nationals and at local races, it gave racers and parents some measure of confidence that they mitigated a potentially catastophic injury.

Do braces save lives....maybe ? Do braces prevent catastropic injury.....probably.......... sould everyone wear a brace.....NOPE.

We all make choices and believe in things as we see fit. The fact that there is higher quality safety equipment available today is the best thing that can happen to our sport.

DV....i couldn't agree more with your question about chest protector/ neck brace combo.

Neck braces continue to evolve, boots continue to evolve, helmets continue evolve....lets hope that it will keep us safer and able to ride longer (for those of us who are a bit older).
The Omega doesn't protect against frontal hyper extension though...

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