A free, fun, and informative NODA open meeting was held
Friday evening September 17 at Topline Stables at Walden.
NODA president Dee Liebenthal opened the meeting
with a review of the revised by-laws. The by-laws were
approved and voted into effect by the attending members.
After a break
to enjoy coffee, cider, and some really decadent desserts,
the attendees settled in for an informative, interesting,
and entertaining presentation on safety helmets, given by
Lisa Gorretta of
The Paddock Saddlery. Riding safety is a timely and
surprisingly controversial topic.
“Safe Riding Starts with Your Head” with Lisa Gorretta
Lisa presented a range of helmets from inexpensive to very
expensive,
explaining the differences (quality, aesthetics, comfort).
Helmets come in different shapes, sizes, and quality – but
they ALL must meet or exceed the strict regulations of the
ASTM International /
SEI Standards. The ASTM (American Society for Testing
and Materials) sets standards for helmet safety, and the SEI
(Safety Equipment Institute) checks on manufacturer
compliance by testing the helmets to ensure they meet or
exceed ASTM Standards.
Lisa Gorretta
The first wave of ASTM/SEI certified safety helmets were
cumbersome and not popular with riders. The second wave of
helmet designs is still being sold today along with the
third wave of designs, as manufacturers figure out how to
provide air-flow in helmets while meeting ASTM/SEI standards
– as well as what riders will buy and wear.
Lisa also
brought helmet accessories – hair nets, hat deodorizer, hat
cleaner – which help keep helmets more sanitary. She
stated that when your helmet gets wet from sweat or humid
weather, it is important to air it out and let
the lining dry. If possible, have a second helmet available
and rotate helmets to maximize the useful life of the
helmet.
The intended
lifespan of your safety helmet ranges from 3 to 5 years.
Various environmental issues such as heat, humidity, cold,
sweat, rain, mold, dirt, etc., cause helmet integrity to be
compromised. Helmets should not be stored in very hot or
cold conditions (such as your car trunk). If your
helmet is dropped on concrete or if you fall and hit your
head, it is strongly recommended that you replace the
helmet. The impact of the helmet hitting
the ground compromises the safety features, and the helmet
might not be able to protect you should you have another
fall. Just because the hat looks fine on the outside, does
not mean it is fine on the inside. Most helmet
manufacturers offer special pricing for needed replacements
within a year of your purchase.
Riding Injury Statistics:
·
Approximately 70% of injuries occur while hacking and schooling,
not in competition
·
Head injuries account for 60% of deaths resulting from equestrian
activities
·
A fall from just 3 feet can cause traumatic brain injury resulting
in permanent damage
·
Pony Club head injury rates fell 29% after safety helmet use became
mandatory in the early 1980s
·
Risk of injury corresponds to the cumulative amount of time spent
in the saddle, not to the level of expertise.
·
Horseback riding (as a sport total) has about the same number of
injury accidents occurring per riding hour as does
motorcycle riding
It pays to go
to Open Meetings and Education Events! The Paddock
Saddlery provided a lovely door prize, a green Paddock
zippered tote bag with a lovely soft brown Ariat blanket
inside, which was won by NODA webmaster, Linda Cooley. (see
photo)
Some attendees of the Open
Meeting
Back Row,
L to R: Berni Moauro, Mary Jo Keptner, Mary Dana,
Dale Lappert,
Gail Patton, Kathy Kirchner, Marcia Doyle, Jennifer Kick.
Janeen Langowski-Grava
Front Row,
L to R: Pat Lightbody, Mary Dana Prescott, Linda Cooley
holding door prize, Lisa Gorretta
