"THOUGHTS ON PREVENTION"  by Becca Martin

I would like to write a few words on the topic of prevention, something most of us don't think about until it is too late. We are all beginning to understand the significance of riding a bicycle without a helmet, or the frequency of concussion in sports, but brain injury prevention in our day to day lives is not a major concern.

When is the last time you got in your car, snapped on your seatbelt, and then drove off without another thought about what you could do to minimize injuries in an accident? The placement of your seatbelt is very important. Here is a list of things you should be aware of.

• Look at the actual attachments on your seatbelt. Does it attach to the floor far enough back to prevent you from being thrown too far forward in a collision? Many jeep style vehicles have seatbelts which are not placed correctly Some cars have seatbelts attached to the door itself, will this hold you if the door swings open on impact?
• Check the latch on your seatbelt. Will it pop open if your baby seat comes in contact with it? A "Type A" latch may fail on collision. Ask your dealer about latch specifications.
• Position your seatbelt correctly. Do not let it ride across your neck or off your shoulder. The correct position is midway between your neck and shoulder. Make sure the lap section is attached across your pelvis and not your stomach. A lap belt across your stomach could cause serious internal injuries.
• Always make sure your belt is untwisted.
• Always make sure your belt is "snugged up".
• When driving a car with airbags, wear your seatbelt.
• Always sit as far back from your airbag as possible. It is recommended that you also drive with a slight backward tilt to the seat.
• Children and small adults should always ride in the rear seat of a car with airbags. I have read certain guidelines which state that certain precautions can be taken if no other options are available, but in my opinion, if your child is under 12 years old, there is not any situation that would warrant the risk. A child's life is a pretty precious thing.
• If you have an airbag in your steering wheel, always drive with your hands to the outside of the wheel to avoid breaking a hand or arm if the airbag deploys.
• If you are in an accident in a car with airbags, and the airbag does not deploy immediately, remain seated as some airbags have been known to deploy after an impact. You could be injured while leaning forward when it deploys.
• Eyeglasses and sunglasses can increase the likelihood of injury to your eyes with some airbags.
• Find out if your airbag is "tethered". A tether keeps the airbag from invading the driver's and passenger's space.
• If you are in a vehicle with side airbags, do not sit or doze with your head leaning on the window, you may be injured during a side impact to your vehicle.
• Try to get in the habit of being aware of how you are seated in a car. Accidents are unexpected and injuries can be more severe if you are not sitting straight or are resting your feet on the dash, etc. Loose objects may also cause severe injuries.
• And one of the most important things to remember is, if you have suffered a brain injury or multiple injuries in the past, you will be more prone to suffer extensive deficits from a brain injury in the future. The brain has so many reserves and each successive injury depletes those reserves. So buckle up and take a few moments to make sure you have done your part in maximizing your safety.
  

There are many other activities, aside from driving, that I would like to mention. One that is significant to me is horseback riding. There are many styles of riding which do not call for a helmet; western and saddleseat, to name a couple. In fact, these styles of riding do not allow for helmets in the show ring. But even if you are not allowed to wear a helmet in the ring, please use a helmet during practice. An injury may not occur because of a fall, but it may occur as a result of hitting an arena wall or being stepped on by a horse. Horses are wonderful, but not always predictable. This advice goes out to all of you on motorcycles as well. Ask your local trauma unit about the percentage of brain injuries they see as a result of motorcycle accidents. You may be a good rider, but that doesn't mean that every car is your ideal companion on the road.

Another sport which is adopting the helmet is skiing. We are beginning to see more and more children with helmets on the slopes, but adults need to be aware as well.

Another area we should all be aware of is the area of pharmaceuticals. Many people are taking drugs which need to build up to certain levels in the brain to work. These drugs change certain chemical compositions. Sometimes people decide they are not going to continue a prescription and just stop without consulting their physicians. Often these type of drugs need to be stopped gradually as to avoid damage to the brain and other problems. If you are taking a drug for depression, chronic pain or sleep disturbance, consult your physician before discontinuing your prescription. This is particularly important for those of you with a brain injury. Keep a pill reminder to avoid over or under dosage.

Other than that, take care of your brain. Eat healthy, get enough rest, drink lots of water. Your brain cells are precious commodities. And make those around you aware of safety.

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