Concussion Discussion

It has been pretty hard to see a broadcast of ESPN's Sportscenter without hearing something about concussions and the NFL.  One part of me is sick of hearing about it...another part of me is glad someone is finally paying attention.  The "concussion discussion" is important to racing.

About 30 years ago at Midwestern speedway, while working on the safety team, I encountered a concussion situation that continues to amaze me.  The problem started in hot laps when a dirt sprint car flipped violently...the driver was clearly unconscious on our arrival and was not breathing...the driver resumed breathing with our help opening his airway...soon regaining consciousness.  The local EMS team was not very aggressive and allowed the driver to "sign off", not strongly insisting on him making a visit to the local ER.

Later in the event, the previously non-breathing driver came to visit our safety truck accompanied by a couple of officials from the sanctioning body.  The officials came to ask me if I thought it was ok for the driver to go ahead and drive someone else's car that night.  It did not take long for me to pick up my teeth and begin shaking my head negatively.  The dangers of repetitive concussions had begun being discussed...simple medical logic made this a simple opinion...NO, THAT WOULD NOT BE A GOOD IDEA, IT WAS A TERRIBLE IDEA.  The driver was quite unhappy with my opinion and told us so.  I explained that I strongly believed he should have gone to the ER initially...not going then did not make it ok to risk another concussion in another car...oh, did I forget to mention he had a nasty case of "sprint car red eye?"  Did he not think that something bad could have happened in his head if the flip caused blood vessels to break in his eyes?  The officials agreed with my logic and DQ'd MY driver/friend for the night...only because we cared.  Thank God. 

Preventing concussions in racing incidents is huge...here are some ideas that will help:
     1. wear the best helmet you can get your hands on...make sure it fits properly...Snell rated
         nothing older than Snell 2000 SA, really should be 2005 SA...or 2010 very soon.
     2. make sure your seat is equipped with strong, well built head supports with
         proper padding...proper fit is also helpful...this is a huge issue...very beneficial tool!
     3. wear a head/neck restraining device (not only for concussions, but will not hurt)
     4. sprint car style nets on both sides of upper seat
     5. did I mention using a full containment seat and a Snell 2005 SA helmet??

A seemingly simple racing concussion incident can be fatal...here's how- - with the helmet's weight, the now unconscious driver's head often falls forward causing obstruction of their airway causing them to not be able to breathe...being unconscious prevents them from moving on their own to open their own airway...being out of oxygen makes any potential head injury worse and less likely to awaken on their own...truly a vicious cycle.  Unless someone intervenes quickly and properly, a potentially simple concussion results in a much more critical situation.  Throw in a potential spinal injury and someone better know what to do.

You are responsible for looking out for yourself..the above list is a good start...your safety team and EMS/ambulance crew need to know their responsibilities...together, we are better!