I hope the recent death of Sacramento State student Casey M. Raffaelli from head trauma after he fell off his skateboard has made people think about the importance of wearing a helmet. I see many students at Sac State riding bicycles, skateboards and Rollerblades, but the vast majority do not wear helmets. Usually, mandatory helmet laws target those under the age of 18, and rightfully so, seeing as minors can’t always be counted on to consistently act responsibly.

Laws targeting minors have saved many lives. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, deaths among bicyclists younger than 16 have gone down 79 percent since 1975, despite the fact that 30 states have no bicycle helmet laws. However, IIHS also cites that deaths among bicyclists 16 and older have increased 96 percent. Helmets are made for a reason: They protect a vital part of our bodies – our brains. The brain is sensitive to blunt trauma.

Okay, so that may seem obvious, but people continue to die needlessly when Target and Wal-Mart sell helmets for $20. I don’t know if people think wearing a helmet isn’t cool or unfashionable. Regardless of the reasons why people don’t wear a helmet, you’re a fool to not wear one. Ask Casey Raffaelli’s family if wearing a helmet is a bad idea or uncool. Had he been wearing a helmet, his injuries could have been far less severe, and he might be alive today.

The absurdity of not wearing a helmet is only eclipsed by the profound tragedy of a death that could have been avoided had the person worn a helmet. According to the IIHS, 86 percent (approximately 673) of bicyclists killed in 2005 reportedly weren’t wearing helmets. How simple is it to find a helmet and strap it on?

Recently, my older brother fell off of his bike, hit his head on the ground and was knocked unconscious. No, he wasn’t wearing a helmet. He suffered an epidural hematoma, which is a traumatic accumulation of blood between the inner table of the skull and the stripped-off dural membrane, and was hospitalized for six days. He waited almost 48 hours to go to the hospital. He is very lucky to be alive, as several doctors told him. According to MayoClinic.com, the risk of dying from an epidural hematoma is substantial, unless prompt treatment occurs. If that wasn’t a wake-up call for him, I don’t know what is. He is an avid skateboarder and bicyclist, but since this incident, he can no longer afford not to wear a helmet.

A reason behind why people don’t wear helmets when riding bicycles or skateboards is probably the same for people who don’t wear seatbelts when driving or riding in an automobile: they don’t think it will happen to them. Perhaps it could be a guy thing. According to the IIHS, almost seven times as many bicyclist deaths in 2005 were males compared with females.

Generally speaking however, maybe people may think they are in control of their vehicles to the point where they can avoid any life-threatening situation. Similarly, when I think of someone falling off a bike or skateboard, I imagine arms and legs breaking the fall, not someone going head first into the pavement. Well, after the incident with my brother and the death of Casey Raffaelli, it is obvious that helmets save lives, just like seatbelts and sober driving do. I imagine this message will fall on the deaf ears of people who just don’t see the need for helmets and don’t want to look silly.

Indeed, it wasn’t but three weeks ago I rode a bike with no helmet. That was then, before my brother nearly lost his life, before Casey Raffaelli did lose his life. As summer approaches, more students will be using their bicycles and skateboards. I hope someone listens to this and remembers that people just like you and I die all the time because of carelessness and pride. A few inches of foam and plastic could have saved my brother a lot of pain and Casey Raffaelli his life.

Scott Allen can be reached at [email protected]