Hats Off helmet removal device - SAFETY DEVICE

Droopy Dick

Droopy Dick

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I went to an IAM meeting last evening where we were treated to a demonstration of the Hats Off device for removing crash helmets after a crash - you know, when the victim is lying groaning or unconscious or not breathing.

Anyway, it seemed like such a simple device. Foolproof and easy to use. And not expensive. They asked us for £15 ..... you may never need it, but if you do you'll think it the best £15 you ever spent.

Apparently, not all ambulance staff know about it. Some police and firemen do.

(Of course, it always helps if the muppets remove a riders spectacles before trying to lift his hat off).

www.hatsoff.info

They are being sold in the UK by www.motorcycle-uk.com.

There's even a device that you can carry to help remove the helmet from a rider who is not equipped with a Hats Off device.

Of course, you STILL need to maintain a rigid cervical spine, but it won't take 3 or 4 people to get the helmet off whlst struggling to keep the head/neck still.
 
Is removing a flip or open face helmet an issue after an accident?
 
I get confused with all this:

I recently ( 4 weeks ago) did a first aid refresher course with the Paramedics as part of my duties working within a major sporting venue ( The City of Manchester Stadium).
As a biker, I have a sticker on the side of my lid that says "in the event of an accident, do not remove my helmet." The paramedics agreed that if the biker is unconscious, but breathing (mist on the indside of the visor, chest rising and falling etc) it's better to leave the lid ON! The thought being that in a roadside scenario, raining, dark, shock etc, it is advisable to leave well alone until a more stable environment is reached if breathing is visible. The lid should only be removed if the biker is obviously not breathing, so that airway obstructions can be cleared (swallowed tongue), or CPR carried out .

What's the accepted view of the medicos amongst our fraternity please?
 
I think that the main concern with moving an unconscious rider's helmet is the risk of causing, or adding to existing, spinal damage - which could of course paralyse or even kill.

The thing is that, if the patient isn't breathing, it really isn't too difficult a call, as surely the priority is to resucitate and you can't do that with a helmet in place.

If, however, they are breathing but unconscious, do you remove the helmet to clear the airway and put the patient in the recovery position, or do you put them in the recovery position and try to monitor breathing with the helmet still in place? Would the helmet restrict the ability to breath in any way?

I don't know the current thinking on this.
 
A paramedic and a Doc removed my mates RX7 at the roadside with little effort.

One supported his neck/head while the other removed the lid. He was put put straight onto a spinal board with a neck brace.

Is it just another gimmick to make a quick £ :nenau
 
Helmet removal

I am road race marshal and removed many helmets in anger- both when riders are conscious and unconscious. If a rider isnt breathing you may have no alternative, but unless you really have to I would advise against removing a helmet until more specialist help arrives, and even if you feel you want to, DONT do it until you have been properly trained.

Also- I wouldnt move anyone from the position they landed in unless they were in immediate danger of being injured further- I certainly wouldnt put anyone in the recovery position- I would support the head and not move the patient until help arrives- they can assess whether someone is safe to move or not.

Done a couple of courses- FBOS(First Bike On Scene) and the emphasis has always been on making sure that any danger is removed and maintaining someone until help arrives- not actually trying to do anything unless absolutely necessary- I would recommend anyone to go on one of these courses- they are amazing and they teach you many skills- I would also like to recommend becoming a marshal and getting the some training- on some occasions you actually get to practice for real what you have been taught (in a relatively safe environment), plus you get in free to the racing and have a really good day. If anyone wants more info then please ask.
 
hats off, is a nice toy to have with an option of using, however should not be used if you suspect a head injury which is likely with a motorcyclist. However if I have witnessed the mechanism of injury (the accident) then I would consider it an option to use to remove a full face helmet.

But two well trained and well practised people can remove a helmet with minimized risk to spine control.

Its a nice tool to have in the armoury when we are at the scene of an accident, we carry the 1st responder kits, however not one we use very often.

Would I spend the money on fitting it to my helmet, No.
 
I can remember being present in the resus-unit of the RGH in Newport when they took the helmet off a youngman who had ridden a trailie into a dry stone wall, a silver/grey open face type helmet, when it came off his skull changed shape as we watched, a moment later life was pronounced 'extinct' not a pleasant sight at at all.
 
Leave my helmet on even if I'm not breathing I would sooner be dead than spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair or as a veg.
 
If they're not breathing they'll be dead in 3 minutes or less. How long would it take to get a paramedic? If he's seconds away, fine. If not, surely you've got to do something ASAP. A 10ish% chance of spinal damage beats a 100% chance of asphyxiation any day. Sometimes you've just got to get on with it. Fast
 
on the first aid refresher course i recently went on we were shown how to do mouth to mouth with the helmet still fitted but the course leader said that if you cant do it that way you should remove the helmet as airway is the priority.
 
Tommo said:
Leave my helmet on even if I'm not breathing I would sooner be dead than spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair or as a veg.
Click to expand...


Maybe we could make this into a helmet sticker also. :)
 
Trevor Phillips said:
A 10ish% chance of spinal damage beats a 100% chance of asphyxiation any day. Sometimes you've just got to get on with it. Fast
Click to expand...
Agreed, but for God sake you can't go taking off a lid of a rider if you're a) unsure if he's breathing or not, or b) don't know EXACTLY what you're doing.

Sadly, many injuries are caused by people with the best intentions but lacking the requisite skills. You say 10%ish chance of spinal damage... that will go up fast if you mess around unsure of your actions consequence. If you're not 100% then don't. I have witnessed the result all too often.

Sadly we live in a litigiuos society.... :anger
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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