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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Six or 8 inches...crumpled...sounds like a lifesaver to me.

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: Gordon Wiks <shalla1@yahoo.com>
  • To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Six or 8 inches...crumpled...sounds like a lifesaver to me.
  • Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 09:49:05 -0700 (PDT)

Well, I think I will try putting in my two cents. One of the things that
would concern me about a broad brimmed helmet would be falling on the hard
brim with force. The angle with a stiff, static brim would cause a bad angle
that could snap your neck. ( especially with the helmet being strapped on).
Breakaways would have the problem of landing the wrong way and snapping off
at the time you need it most.

I think that as adults the choice should be up to the individual, as truth be
told, if it were up to others, we would start seeing requirements for knee
and elbow pads, shoulder pads, chest protectors,face sheilds etc.
I myself do not wear them (helmets) and realize that at times maybe I
should. Although let us remember that an accident is an accident meaning
unpredictable, anything else is negligence. Let us remember we have options
the idea of rescue/search missions is not to become a statistic ourselves. We
are a hinderance more than a help when this happens. Remember people we are
able to get off a horse as well as get on one.

I have ridden in the Yukon, Northern B.C. and other remote areas sometimes
quite a ways from immediate help, sometimes days away from anything and
before cell phones. I tried learning from those who came before me and were
still around. They were the ones who when not sure would get off their horse
and walk them, or at times scope out the area/terrain without the horse and
come back for them. They kept their risk to as much of a minimum as possible.
While finding/ rescueing someone is a priority it is not the first one,
getting in out and back safely is. You can't help someone while laid up
waiting for help.
I remember watching an interview as they were performing a search/rescue.
Behind the speaker there was a rider approaching a log, maybe two feet
diameter, clear area around it. He chose to jump it, not perfectly but he
made it. I remember thinking if you fell off your horse how many people would
you tie up helping you.

While performing rescue missions leave the pride and machismo at home. If
wearing helmets is part of that equation leave the personal out of it. While
I cannot stand restrictive head gear myself, it is not me I am out there for.
If it is required or will help me find someone with more certainty ( due to
less chance of injury), then isn't that the issue.?

My last point is that companies try to make what will sell, if they make a
fantastic safety device that is much more expensive will people buy it or,
will they settle for a less expensive, inferior model?

Training for the horse and rider, knowing each others limits, and being able
to handle and trust each other in unusual circumstances is still the best
safety device there is for riding.




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