The Importance of Always Using ATV Safety Equipment
By: Billy Whitmire
Submitted: 2009-09-03 13:02:51 | Word Count: 818
Today, many ATV riders fail to use proper safety equipment while riding an ATV. This has caused states to pass mandatory safety equipment requirements to ride in certain areas. The first mandatory requirement is the wearing of a helmet. There is simply no other way to cut down on the severity of riding injuries then to wear a proper helmet.
In 2008 the National Institute of Health (NIH) reported that as a result of ATV related injuries, almost 10% of accidents produced some kind of head injury. Moreover, the injuries required injured riders to be hospitalized. Of those riders suffering from brain injuries that resulted from ATV related accidents, over 15% produced unconsciousness and 5% caused the rider to suffer a coma.
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Not to be outdone by the helmet, body armor and proper foot gear is also important for safeguarding riders on the track or on the trail. Accidents can happen at any time, and the more one rides, the more likely they will be involved in an accident. If the rider is wearing updated, properly fitting gear to protect the body, injuries can be minimized.
NIH reports that the most injuries suffered by riders will be to the upper body, such as chest, back, spine and arms, etc. Over half of these injuries will produce fractures of various degrees, and 8% of them will produce severe spinal injury. These injuries were totaled using data from riding accidents on the trail and the track.
One simple rule that track owners and parents are using to reduce injuries is "no safety equipment-no riding-no exception". There is no compromise to this rule and it must be obeyed by all riders. A rider with properly fitting gear has a much better chance of walking away from a riding accident with nearly no lasting injury.
If an ATV rider uses safety gear, here are 3 things they can do to make sure it is protecting them to the fullest degree:
Take some time periodically to inspect the condition of the gear. Gear that is damaged, worn or doesn't fit properly cannot protect the rider as it was designed. Performing make-shift repairs is not a good way to protect the body. The impact levels of accidents are too high for a duct-tape job to do much good.
You can buy the best gear the market has to offer but if you refused to wear it faithfully it cannot help to protect you during a riding accident. No one knows how or when an accident is going to happen, that's what makes it an accident. For your gear to protect you it must be worn all the time, with no exceptions.
When you invest in the very best gear that is available you are investing in your future. Just think what a catastrophic accident could do to you future plans? This is not the time to settle for some hand-me-down equipment that cannot protect your body properly.
With the advancements in design and materials used in safety gear it is a good idea to upgrade your gear at the beginning of the riding season. This will allow you to maintain the highest possible level of safety while having fun on the trail or on the track.
Author Resource:-
If you ride an ATV, safety equipment is very important. Also check out GIO Bikes to save money on other vehicles such as a dune buggy or an electric scooter.
