Across its catchment area, the Porcupine Health Unit promotes helmet use among bicycle riders.
Part of health promoter Marty Paul’s job is to encourage wearing a helmet and wearing it properly.
“We reinforce the rule of 2V1,” he outlines, “which is two fingers above the eyebrow – that’s how low your helmet should sit – and the V is the two straps around the ears, and the 1 is one finger space underneath the chin.”
Paul adds that the chinstrap should always be fastened. The helmet can’t protect you from brain injury if it falls off as you fall off the bike.
He’s also quick to dispel the myth that a helmet and its padding can prevent a concussion.
“Oh, absolutely not. A helmet won’t prevent concussions. It just will prevent severe head injury, head trauma, right? (Bob McIntyre:) Just lessen the severity. (Paul:) Exactly, yeah, yeah.”