On behalf of Law Offices of Mauro Fiore, Jr. posted in Personal Injury on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.
With high school football season well underway, you may not be thinking much about equipment anymore; you have already purchased all the necessary gear and have no worries. You are probably more concerned about making all your child's games and helping your child improve his or her playing ability. However, before you think your child is in the clear, you need to know one important fact: that helmet may not be as safe as you think it is. Concussions from sports activities are too common. Make sure to choose a helmet that provides enough protection for your child.
Determining football helmet safety
There is no official standard for measuring the complete safety of the helmets high school and college players use. However, Virginia Tech has developed its own system schools nationwide refer to when determining which models offer the most safety. Note that there is no helmet, no matter its quality, that can completely prevent a concussion or another traumatic brain injury.
Choosing the right football helmet
Using Virginia Tech's rating system is only one step of many in your journey to find the right helmet for your high schooler. You must also consider the following:
- Do not assume the team uses the best helmets or that the coach knows which to recommend.
- Make sure your child has a new helmet instead of a used one for maximum protection.
- Brand and price are not the only factors that matter. Also, consider the specific model and its fit and comfort for your child. Research each option and read the reviews before making a final choice.
- Understand that youth sizes are less safe and that ratings are for adult helmets only.
Your child's position does not matter; it only takes one wrong hit to sustain a TBI.
Boosting safety
Liability does not lie with just helmet manufacturers. Ultimately, safety relies most on the rules of the game and the training the kids receive, says Virginia Tech. Making the rules on play and coaching stricter is best for preventing concussions and other brain injuries.