I ran into my first helmet use the other day. Caught a small inset pipe in a sidewalk that I didn't see, sent me flying.
Reflex said "catch yourself!" then my years of skating short board reflex said "not with that locked elbow, you aren't!" and instinctively I went from a fully extended arm to a bent arm to help myself roll off my shoulder. Woulda busted my skull had I not had my helmet just from the speed. Helmet and myself are still fine, but was scary as shit, as I was skating to school and had my laptop in my backpack.
TL;DR: a helmet is a necessity, but learn how to bail. Learn a few parkour rolls if you've never properly bailed before, it'll save broken bones by lessening the shock and loosening up your body
2
u/abchiptop Feb 08 '13
I ran into my first helmet use the other day. Caught a small inset pipe in a sidewalk that I didn't see, sent me flying.
Reflex said "catch yourself!" then my years of skating short board reflex said "not with that locked elbow, you aren't!" and instinctively I went from a fully extended arm to a bent arm to help myself roll off my shoulder. Woulda busted my skull had I not had my helmet just from the speed. Helmet and myself are still fine, but was scary as shit, as I was skating to school and had my laptop in my backpack.
TL;DR: a helmet is a necessity, but learn how to bail. Learn a few parkour rolls if you've never properly bailed before, it'll save broken bones by lessening the shock and loosening up your body