My first scary fall - hit the back of my head - head protection recs?

[Adultballerinaskater]

I experienced my first scary fall yesterday - I fell backwards (practicing my forward spin) and hit the back of my head. I was able to answer questions ok when the teachers were doing their concussion check. I headed to urgent care in the morning and the doctor didn't think I needed a head CT scan right now but wants me to monitor for any weird symptoms that might occur. I took today off from work and just slept - almost the entire day. Headache and fatigue mainly.

I skated when I was younger ( in my 20s) and never fell like this...I'm guessing it's time to think about getting some head protection.

Has anyone experienced a scary fall like this? I'm worried about me going back to the ice (I will probably skip next week's class to just rest and recover fully) and I'm looking at purchasing head protection, seems like the Ice Halo and the Catsche ones are the popular options.

I'm so grateful I'm not hurt more but it's given me quite the scare. I hope I'm able to head back to the ice....it's making me nervous a bit. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Minz]

I’m sorry to hear this happened to you.

I’m not a doctor, and I don’t know how much this will help because you are an adult skater, but when I was a young child, a lot of us would wear helmets on the ice. (Like the ones for kick scooters) I remember my father had me wear one in case I fell.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

OP--DO NOT wear a bike helmet on the ice especially as an adult skater. One of the others you named would be okay though.

Please follow up with a doctor if you keep having the fatigue and sleeping alot, there are many symptoms of concussions that don't show right away. You may have whiplash as well. I have had more than my share of concussions during my career, a few long before there was a protocol for them in the sport, and I now have lasting issues from them.

I hope you feel better soon and it's not too bad.

 

[Minz]

OP--DO NOT wear a bike helmet on the ice especially as an adult skater. One of the others you named would be okay though.

By bike/scooter helmet I meant something like this. But yeah, probably not the best idea especially for an adult skater. This was just something we’d do as kids, (like 4 year olds) so that if we fell we wouldn’t get hurt. I don’t think that my parents even knew of any other head protection options. These were like Learn To Skate lessons.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

By bike/scooter helmet I meant something like this. But yeah, probably not the best idea especially for an adult skater. This was just something we’d do as kids, (like 4 year olds) so that if we fell we wouldn’t get hurt. I don’t think that my parents even knew of any other head protection options. These were like Learn To Skate lessons.
View attachment 4427

Yes, I knew exactly what you were talking about and it's a no.

 

[Minz]

Yes, I knew exactly what you were talking about and it's a no.

Why though? It can't do any harm, could it?

(I'm not an expert at this stuff, and I haven't used a helmet on the ice for several years)

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Why though? It can't do any harm, could it?

(I'm not an expert at this stuff, and I haven't used a helmet on the ice for several years)

Bike/scooter helmets NO. Hockey or the other head protection the OP mentioned, yes. Bike helmets would do harm and have been proven to not work with ice falls. EX: They (bike helmets) aren't designed or shaped for ice impact falls, and multiple ones at that.

 

[Adultballerinaskater]

Thank you everyone for your responses - I slept 7 hours during the day after a full night sleep. My headache feels slightly better after all that rest. I hope I'm feeling even better tomorrow morning.

I'm purchasing an Ice Halo stat....better to be safe than sorry.

 

[tstop4me]

Thank you everyone for your responses - I slept 7 hours during the day after a full night sleep. My headache feels slightly better after all that rest. I hope I'm feeling even better tomorrow morning.

I'm purchasing an Ice Halo stat....better to be safe than sorry.

Before you do ... I suggest you read this previous thread: https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/threads/head-protection.87241/

It gives multiple perspectives on the pluses/minuses of various head protection gear.

[ETA: If you have long hair, make sure that whatever gear you choose is compatible with how your hair is arranged (particularly, e.g., with ponytails and rolled-up buns). I'm an old guy with little hair left; so I don't have this problem. But I'm friends with several female skaters who've commented on this. Proper fit is crucial. So, if at all possible, buy from a store where you can try them on (some products are available mainly online, however). This holds true regardless of your hair.]

 

[Adultballerinaskater]

Before you do ... I suggest you read this previous thread: https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/threads/head-protection.87241/

It gives multiple perspectives on the pluses/minuses of various head protection gear.

[ETA: If you have long hair, make sure that whatever gear you choose is compatible with how your hair is arranged (particularly, e.g., with ponytails and rolled-up buns). I'm an old guy with little hair left; so I don't have this problem. But I'm friends with several female skaters who've commented on this. Proper fit is crucial. So, if at all possible, buy from a store where you can try them on (some products are available mainly online, however). This holds true regardless of your hair.]

Thanks so much - yes, my hairstyle is pretty flexible so I'm getting ready to accomodate as needed.

I'm not ready to fully wear a big helmet (feels like it would be bulky and maybe make me focus more on protecting my head, which might even make me susceptible to balance issues, etc) so I feel like something like the Ice Halo could give me semi-protection as I go down in a fall. That way, my head won't bear the initial brunt of that momentum, if I'm wearing the Ice Halo. I'll give it a try and see how it goes!

 

[Sibelius]

I experienced my first scary fall yesterday - I fell backwards (practicing my forward spin) and hit the back of my head. I was able to answer questions ok when the teachers were doing their concussion check. I headed to urgent care in the morning and the doctor didn't think I needed a head CT scan right now but wants me to monitor for any weird symptoms that might occur. I took today off from work and just slept - almost the entire day. Headache and fatigue mainly.

I skated when I was younger ( in my 20s) and never fell like this...I'm guessing it's time to think about getting some head protection.

Has anyone experienced a scary fall like this? I'm worried about me going back to the ice (I will probably skip next week's class to just rest and recover fully) and I'm looking at purchasing head protection, seems like the Ice Halo and the Catsche ones are the popular options.

I'm so grateful I'm not hurt more but it's given me quite the scare. I hope I'm able to head back to the ice....it's making me nervous a bit. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

No advice, just wanted to wish you well. Mine had a fall on hers a couple of weeks ago. Refused from day one any helmet, or pads for that matter. Had another fall yesterday, on the other end...still no pads. Take care and I hope you get back on soon.

 

[gliese]

No advice, just wanted to wish you well. Mine had a fall on hers a couple of weeks ago. Refused from day one any helmet, or pads for that matter. Had another fall yesterday, on the other end...still no pads. Take care and I hope you get back on soon.

Oh I totally understand the hate for padding that some people have. I've never really worn it because I hate it. I tell myself I'll wear my butt pads but I put them on and they're so uncomfortable. The one thing I will wear are the ones that you stick in your leggings. I jsut wear one wherever I think I'm gonna fall. Helps me mentally commit to a jump.

OP I had a concussion about this time last year. Your symptoms are worse than what I have. Please get it checked out.

 

[iceskating21]

This is designed for protecting head in figure skating.

Crasche Middie for Figure Skating | Crasche

crasche.com

 

[christy]

I don't have personal experience, however I've read really good things about the Lenny Rib Cap being used by a number of skaters.

I had a really bad experience with the Crasche hair band. The material is really slippery and it refused to stay on my head - I had sized it correctly, so it fit but just kept falling off. I think that was actually fortuitious as I later read about a lot of people who wore them and when they fell it flew off, so didn't protect them