FRONT LINE RESCUER INFORMATION

A major campaign has been launched throughout the rescue services to bring awareness to all front line paramedics of the existence of Hats Off, the recognised safer method of emergency helmet removal.

Every Head of Training in all ambulance services across the UK has been contacted and provided with sample products and training resources, so that they can bring their ambulance crews up to speed with this ingenious, easy to use and effective way to remove a casualty’s helmet whilst avoiding the dangers associated with pulling.

The Hats Off Helmet kit is now available to the public through retail outlets via the distributor Grand Prix Racewear, and is being fitted into many helmets for both road and the race track use.

Rescue services will undoubtedly come across this system already fitted into a casualty’s helmet. It is very important that when they do so, they know how to deploy it.

There are two versions of Hats Off – the Helmet Kit as discussed above which is fitted into the riders helmet and the 1st Response Kit which is carried on Rescue Vehicles and consists of an insertion tool which allows the airbag to be slid up inside the top of a helmet not already equipped with Hats Off. The 1st Response kit is available directly from Motorcycle UK Ltd or through SP Services in the UK, Emergency Care in Ireland and KP Medical in Europe. Many ambulance and private rescue services already have the 1st Response Kit as part of their kit, but as with any new product there is always an initial period before everyone knows it is available to them.

As in both systems the airbag can be inflated using a rubber bulb similar to those used to take a blood pressure reading (which comes with the kit). As the airbag inflates, the helmet gently glides upwards and off the head of the casualty. This has an enormous benefit as it reduces the danger of neck and spinal injuries that can be caused by the helmet being physically pulled off the head.

 

 

The UK manufacturers of Hats Off are working with Organisations such as the ACU, FIM, FIA, Formula One, Grand Prix Racers Assoc, Motor Sports Assoc and the Speedway Medical Board of Control, in an effort to get the device recognised as compulsory in all motorcycle/motorsports. The Snell Foundation has approved the device and it is already compulsory fitment in the US for the Indycar racing series, (infact it and has been used by drivers in the States for the past 10 years).

The Speedway Board Of Control has this year selected six of its teams to trial the kit with a view to making it compulsory for all competitors to have.

Kevin Fitzpatrick from Motorcycle UK says “We launched Hats Off at Ambex 2002 and have been exhibiting at paramedic conventions and to individual ambulance services both here in the UK and in Europe. It’s only a matter of time before grass roots rescuers are presented with someone who has Hats Off fitted, or needs to have the Hats Off 1st Response Kit used to remove their helmet. Members of the emergency care world have recognised the benefits of using Hats Off over the present way of helmet removal as it prevents any pulling of the neck or spine. They have been working with us over the past 2 years to get this product out onto the market and available to all rescuers. Now everyone needs to know its there and how to use it”.


If you are a paramedic who may one day come across a casualty who is wearing a crash helmet and you don’t know about HATS OFF please contact us.