"Skate Smart Project"

[In Loving Memory Of Ian Lee Tilmann]

Did you know that:

50 skaters per day sustain brain injuries serious enough to warrant emergency room treatment;

2 skaters per day are hospitalized with serious to severe brain injuries; and

1 skater per week is dying from brain injuries.

The Ian Tilmann Foundation needs your help for the "Skate Smart Project" by answering a few questions:

1. Do you wear a helmet when you skate & why? (If only when required, please say so)
2. Do you object to wearing a helmet & why?
3. If a friend or someone you know suffered severe head injuries or died because they didn't wear a helmet would that make a difference in whether or not you wear a helmet?
4. Do you think that media (magazines, television, etc) projected images of skaters without helmets influences your decision?
5. If someone offered you a FREE quality skater's helmet would you promise to wear it & keep the promise?

Skateboarders ARE sustaining "repeated" brain injuries! Results of brain injuries can be one or more of the following:

Memory loss, learning disabilities, seizures, severe headaches, personality changes, violent/compulsive behavior, loss of vision/speech/hearing, loss of smell/taste, loss of balance/coordination/motor skills, partial to full paralysis, permanent vegetative state, & brain injuries can be fatal.

Your brain controls all of your body functions...YOUR BRAIN IS WHO YOU ARE! It has been proven that wearing a helmet while skateboarding can reduce and/or prevent serious brain injuries. Wearing a helmet does not entirely eliminate the risk of serious brain injury, BUT helmets are an essential piece of safety equipment that CAN help to protect the most important & vulnerable organ in your body...your brain.

The Ian Tilmann Foundation's "Skate Smart Project" is a very successful outreach program to skaters. The Foundation's "Helmet For A Promise" program has given away over 1,600 free Skater's helmets to skateboarders nationwide.

Thank you for your help in the "Skate Smart Project".

Marcy Tilmann (Ian's Mom)
The Ian Tilmann Foundation

[DaddyYo]

Marcy,

1. Do you wear a helmet when you skate & why? (If only when required, please say so)

Yes, I wear a helmet all of the time that I skate. I didn't wear on for years but them one day I clunked my head pretty hard. I've worn one since.


2. Do you object to wearing a helmet & why?

No, I do not object to wearing a helmet.


3. If a friend or someone you know suffered severe head injuries or died because they didn't wear a helmet would that make a difference in whether or not you wear a helmet?

No, I always wear a helmet and I always will.

4. Do you think that media (magazines, television, etc) projected images of skaters without helmets influences your decision?

No, they don't influence my decision to wear a helmet because most of the magazines show riders without any protection at all. I think the magazines and videos influence skateboarders not to wear equipment.

If I could, I would have every local jurisdiction pass a law requiring skatboarders to wear helmets in all city owned skateparks and on the roadways. Having a helmet law on the books allows local poilice to issue tickets.

5. If someone offered you a FREE quality skater's helmet would you promise to wear it & keep the promise?

No, because I already wear one. I don't think any of the skaters whose now choose not to wear a helmet would wear a free one. The magazines and video producers don't care about people hurting themselves. They just want money so they aren't going promote safety.

It is too bad that the people making money off of the mags and videos can't be fined for showing skaters without helmets.

I would also like to see if skaters could be ticketed for riding without helmets in jurisdictions where helemts are required when they appear in mags and videos. I think it would be effective if someone could take a picture or a video to the police or local DA and say, "Here is Billy Badboy grinding the rail at the courthouse. He lives at 35 Noparent Lane in Liberaltown, WI. Please issue a warrant for his arrest for trespassing, vandalizing public propertry and skating without a helmet."

I bet the number of kids willing to be recognized and named in publications would drop real quick.

[In Loving Memory Of Ian Lee Tilmann]

DaddyYo,

Thank you for answering my questions & I'm glad to hear that you recognize the need for wearing a helmet when you skate. I'm sorry that you injured yourself, but relieved that you are okay & able to continue to skate. I firmly believe that had Ian survived his accident, he would have realized that he should wear a helmet. I don't take quite the hard stance that you do regarding helmet use. I tell them how Ian died & why. I offer them a free helmet for the promise & hope that they will make the "smart" decision to wear the helmet. Because I do this to honor my son, I must keep his beliefs in mind...Ian was a "live free, die free" guy so my helmet program is totally based on "freedom of choice". A skater must choose to make the "Promise" & wear the helmet whenever they skate. If a skater chooses not to wear a helmet...no law will make a difference. Unfortunately, those skaters will skate without a helmet regardless. There is a point you make that does make a difference (at least some of the time) & that is ALL public/private skate parks should require & enforce helmet use. It is much more difficult to enforce helmet use on street skaters, but skate parks should be promoting & enforcing helmet use in their parks.

It is extremely disturbing to me that helmets are not required for pro skaters participating in nationally televised sports events such as the AST Dew Tour & the X Games. I am working on contacting the sponsors of these events to ask them if they would consider promoting helmet use by requiring helmets for all competitors. In the 2008 X Games the Vert & Mega Ramp skaters wore helmets, but only one of the bowl riders had a helmet on. It is time for the skate industry to recognize this problem & be a part of the solution by promoting helmet use in the skater community. One skater per week is dying simply because they didn't wear a helmet...that is one death too many:(

In memory of Ian remember his message...

"Skate Smart...Wear A Helmet...Live To Skate Tommorrow!"

Marcy Tilmann (Ian's Mom)
The Ian Tilmann Foundation

[DaddyYo]

Marcy,

Perhaps if someone like me had been effective in changing the law in the town where Ian skated he would be alive today. I'm afraid that you are going to have very little impact on preventing skater deaths by saying "please" wear a helmet or asking them to uphold a promise.

Big Skateboarding has way more money to advertise dangerous behavior so they can seem cool and sell shoes and tshirts. The skate companies, magazines and dominate counter-culture culture have "taken advantage of" the "crisis" of skateboarding to gain power (and money) for themselves. Skateboarders are just the willing fodder that feeds their creed. Skateboarders are defend their servitude with their lives.

Helmet laws in the code would also be another tool for law enforcement to use to procescute illegal street skating. Skate stoppers have probably done more to stop skaters injuries than any law ever written.

I have learned that skaters, when forced to wear a helmet, will either survive to an age that they are no longer influeneced by peer pressure promoted by Big Skateboarding or quit skating because they can't do what they want.

Either way is fine by me.

Great idea to bring pressure on the competitions promoters. But I doubt you will get anywhere with them. They make their money off promoting skateboarding as a punk sport. Punks aren't going to do anything that might make them look bad to the other punks. Look at fraternity boy behavior and you'll see what drives skateboarders. They are the best examples of social conformity that exists.

I'm looking into how photographic and video evidence can be used to fine skaters who document their crimnality in magazines. I doubt many skaters would want their pictures to appear in Thrasher if they could be identified and fined after the fact for trespassing and vandalism.

Maybe that would get more helemtless skaters to stop skating and save some lives.

[In Loving Memory Of Ian Lee Tilmann]

I am thankful you are taking the time to discuss this subject with me. I appreciate & respect your opinions. I hope that you feel the same about mine. Not sure where to start, but here goes...

I do not know in Ian's case if a law requiring helmets for skaters would have saved his life. First & foremost, I am not so sure that police/authorities would actually enforce the law. I see bicyclists without helmets all the time even though there is a mandatory helmet law for bicyclists in Florida. Ian always wore his helmet when he rode his motorcycle even though the current laws in Florida do not require motorcyclists over the age of 16 to wear helmets (stupid law). Ian understood the danger of riding a motorcycle without a helmet...he was informed...not so sure he understood the danger when skateboarding. I fully understand that my son didn't use his head (except as a landing pad) when he skated without a helmet & will be the first to tell skaters he made a very stupid decision. I can only hope that some of them will listen & make the "smart" decision to wear a helmet.

In California there is a mandatory helmet law for skateboarders under the age of 16. If Florida had a similar law, Ian would NOT have been saved. Why...because Ian was 28 years old & the law wouldn't have applied to him. Scott Davis died in June 2008 in Huntington Beach, CA from brain injuries received in a fall while skateboarding. California's mandatory helmet law didn't apply to him. Scott was 19 years old. Jon Moak, another fallen skater, lost his life at the age of 29 from brain injuries received in a skate park (helmets were not required by the park). I also know about a skater (adult male over the age of 40) who lost his life to brain injuries in late 2007 at a skate park located in Nashville, TN (no helmet...not required by the park).

I do not oppose legislation mandating helmet use by skateboarders, but I do not promote legislation as a solution to this problem. Information & education about traumatic brain injuries are important tools that should be incorporated into any legislation mandating helmet use, as well as the law should apply to all skaters regardless of age. There will always be those who disregard the law & pay no attention to the education. There will always be the criminal element that, as you point out, gives skaters a very negative image. I have been in the real estate industry so I am well aware of the destruction of private property by skateboarders. Skate parks are definitely helping to make a difference in that area, but many City/County owned skate parks do not require helmets. Amazing isn't it....has to do with indemnification legislation, City Attorneys, etc...long story, but definitely not the best policy.

As to my impact, this I do know. I have given away over 1,600 helmets in 3 years. I spend time telling skaters about Ian & what happened to him as well as the other fallen skaters that I am aware of (there are many more). I tell them about traumatic brain injuries & what such an injury can do to drastically alter their lives. The helmets I provide to skaters are custom ordered from S-One & Bern for each skater. The skater can pick out whichever helmet they want which I believe is an inducement to wear it. I register each skater that receives a helmet from us & plan to conduct a follow up survey to see what impact I am having. Most of the skaters that I have given helmets to live within our community (we are a very small public charity & just went nationwide in late 2008). I see them on a fairly regular basis. I drive the streets of my community & I see many of my helmets on skaters heads as they skate by:) I promote helmet use & the "Helmet For A Promise" program through skate competitions that we sponsor & attend. I am around the skaters & I do see that they are wearing their helmets. They talk to me regularly & tell me how much it means to them that I care about them. Most importantly, I replace damaged helmets that we have given out...to date, I have replaced 12 helmets that if the skater had not worn the helmet I gave them, the skater would have sustained serious to fatal traumatic brain injuries! For me the fact that I potentially saved 12 lives in memory of my 1 son brings me some solace for what I've lost & helps me to know that I am making a positive difference in skateboarder's lives.

Ian's message is getting out there. I blog...I created memorial pages on Skateboarder's Journal, MySpace & Facebook telling skaters about Ian & the message. I email pro skaters, celebrities, news media & vendors in the skate industry telling them about Ian & promoting helmet use/education. We have a website www.theiantilmannfoundation.org which receives hundreds of hits per week from all over the world...skaters worldwide are hearing about Ian & traumatic brain injuries associated with skateboarding.

I do hope that someday skaters will wear helmets as a rule, not an exception. I believe that I am helping to bring attention to this problem which hopefully will have an impact. If nothing else, what I am doing helps me to deal with the very real fact that my son is dead simply because he didn't wear a helmet when he skateboarded. My wonderful son, my U.S. Marine, my heart died on May 26, 2005 & my world will never ever be the same. To try to explain the depth of my pain would be counter productive to my mission...the last thing Ian would want me to be is a whining MOM harping on skaters to wear a helmet. I just continue to promote helmet use to skaters & spread Ian's message...

"Skate Smart...Wear A Helmet...Live To Skate Tomorrow!"

Marcy (Ian's Mom)
The Ian Tilmann Foundation

[DaddyYo]

Marcy,

Wow, I am truly touched by your effort and the impact you have made through your program.

Honestly, as a Dad, I am fighting my own emotions just from reading your account and understand how the loss of your child has inspired you to save as many others as possible.
I started three skateparks in the Nashville and surrounding towns and started the effort that resulted in the cons4ruction of the Nashville skatepark where the skateboarder died. I agree that a city ordinance may not have saved that skater. But, it might have.

It was reported the skater that died at the Two Rivers Skatepark was wearing a helmet (so say those that were there) but, because of his weight (300 plus lbs.) he could not buckle his helmet and it fell off before he hit the concrete. It was just over a year ago that the skater was killed. His twin brother was involved in the accident and his young son was at the park that day.
His death is the only one we have had in four years of operation.

The group of skaters that were there that day returned on the first year anniversary of the accident to remember his death with a skate session. They were from Louisiana. I can see from the way the group skated that day why the skate had his fatal accident. I wonder if he did actually have his helmet on. His brother was skating without one. Add to that an entire range of poor skatepark etiquette (training, snaking, etc) and the situation became so dangerous that I would not skate until they left.

Helmets are required at the Nashville skatepark. I constantly call the Parks Police to issue tickets to skaters without helmets. If I had been at the skatepark the day the skater died and saw they way they were skating (without helmets) I would have called the Parks Police.

What can I do to spread the good work you are doing? Do you tour? If you are ever come to Nashville I would love to organize an event around your visit. I am a natural at making a lot of noise for a cause I belive in and I could get a lot of local skate people organized and publisityf or an event.

I noticed the "Helmet for a Promise" form. Could I partner with you and your sponsors to spread that program to my area? I know all of the skateboard and in-line skate shop owners in the Nashville area and could get them and the Parks Department involved.

I would like to discuss in detail how I could expand your program to Nashville. I am very impressed with what you have accomplished and hope I can help you expand your effort.

My best,

Michael Poindexter (aka DaddyYo)

[In Loving Memory Of Ian Lee Tilmann]

Thank you Michael for your kind comments & for your wonderful offer of help. The Ian Tilmann Foundation is all about "paying it forward" by taking Ian's message to skaters nationwide. I am very interested in expanding our program to the Nashville area. We will be talking soon:)

Marcy

[Chris Yandall]

1. Do you wear a helmet when you skate & why? (If only when required, please say so)

I wear a helmet when I skateboard at skateparks
I wear a helmet when I race skateboards downhill most of the time.
I do not wear a helmet for downhill recreation and flatland skateboarding

2. Do you object to wearing a helmet & why?

No I don't object to wearing one knowing my answers in Question 1

3. If a friend or someone you know suffered severe head injuries or died because they didn't wear a helmet would that make a difference in whether or not you wear a helmet?

No. Many people die in cars from head injuries and they don't wear helmets. Helmets do not protect your face. Helmets are too hot to wear for flatland longboarding for my style. Do people wear helmets for skiiing? Snowboarding? Just as dangerous as skateboarding.


4. Do you think that media (magazines, television, etc) projected images of skaters without helmets influences your decision?

I've skateboarded for over 40 plus years with the same belief. It's working and yes, lightning hasn't struck yet.

5. If someone offered you a FREE quality skater's helmet would you promise to wear it & keep the promise?

No. I'd keep for parks and downhill races but would not wear it for flatlanding.

Chris Yandall

[In Loving Memory Of Ian Lee Tilmann]

Thank you Chris for responding to the Skate Smart Project. I do appreciate your answers.

I understand that Ian's death from brain injuries was the most extreme result. In 2008, approximately 55 skaters died from brain injuries sustained skateboarding. Many more skaters are sustaining brain injuries that don't die as a result. I have personally met several survivors of brain injuries...many times the alternative to death is not such a great thing. Living with brain injuries can be just as devastating as dying from brain injuries.

Cars are now equipped with seatbelts & airbags to help to prevent head & other body injuries during an accident. The reason...too many injuries & deaths from car accidents so safety equipment was developed & utilized to reduce the risk. Most states now have mandatory seatbelt laws & all new automobiles come with airbags. Yes, skiing & snowboarding are high risk sports as well which is why I think skiers & snowboarders should be wearing helmets! Natasha Richardson (rumor has it she turned down the offer of a helmet) & Sonny Bono...& that's only the famous people that make the news...sadly there are probably many more that don't make national news.

Approximately 50 skateboarders per day are sustaining brain injuries severe enough to warrant emergency room treatment. I am glad that "lightning" hasn't stuck you...yet. Lightning did strike for Ian & he always said..."It will never happen to me". Ian had been skating for many of his 28 years & had bombed the hill he had his accident on probably hundreds of times. No, he had not been skating for 40 years like you have...he didn't live long enough...he died simply because he didn't think he needed to wear a helmet.

To honor Ian's passion for humanity & his "pay it forward" attitude I hope to make a difference in skateboarders lives by turning around the attitude that helmets are not cool & not needed. I believe that information is the key so I tell them about the risks & consequences of sustaining brain injuries. I encourage helmet use for skateboarding & offer skaters free custom-ordered skater's helmets because I truly care. Since Ian's death, I have given away over 1,600 helmets to skaters nationwide.

I only ask that you think about what I have said & I have hope that you will wear a helmet whenever you skate. Ian always told me he had to learn from his own mistakes. Unfortunately, Ian's last mistake was a fatal one...so I just continue to spread this message "Skate Smart...Wear A Helmet...Live To Skate Tomorrow!"

Marcy (Ian's Mom)

[Chris Yandall]

Again, I've been skateboarding for over 40 years. I know what I'm doing. It is imperative that those that do not wear helmets should always KEEP THEIR HANDS UP and be ready to protect your head.

The chances of getting hurt on my board are slim because I SKATE SAFE, THINK ABOUT WHAT I'M DOING, REALIZE THAT IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN A HELMET TO SAVE ME LIFE. With this attitude, recently I was able to launch over a car that pullled out in front of me on my motorcycle after I wrote my initial reply. Because I was prepared, I chose to launch my body over the car instead of bouncing off of it. I flew about 20 ft over the car, landed on my side, hit my helmet slightly but took most of the fall with my arms and wrists without breaking anything.

You see, I'm a helmet guy too! On a skateboard, I wear a helmet still to this day in the scenario I originally responded to your survey.

Life is a cool thing. Perhaps you can see that by my age, 55, that the helmet for kicking around the hood is like wearing a helmet to climb a tree, or ride a bike. A personal choice.

If it is ever mandated, then I'm moving to another country. I wear my helmet at parks and racing avenues. That is smart. For riding on the flats, it's more of hindrance(sweat, they stink after a while and they upset my balance(distraction)). You'll never see me ride a park or race downhill without a helmet. Sometimes common sense get's corrupted with over-protection. I'd rather have fun first than look like I'm ready to crash into a walll on the flats. SAFETY FIRST starts with common sense.

[pavedwave]

1. Do you wear a helmet when you skate & why? (If only when required, please say so)
Yes. Because I have family that love and depend on me to stay alive. The only exception I've made in recent years is when I'm puttering through a town parade at a jogging pace.

I don't think flatland skateboarding across town is safe, however -- because it never stays flat. When going from point A to B, there are always hills involved -- even long, slight, gradual grades easily put you in the 15-20mph zone, where running out from a bad situation (gravel, potholes, cars) is no longer an option. And those are exactly the kinds of unexpected accidents we read about in the obits. Someone who is typically a fully capable skater, and some other idiot in a car, or a momentary lapse of judgement, takes them out.

2. Do you object to wearing a helmet & why?
Not at all.

3. If a friend or someone you know suffered severe head injuries or died because they didn't wear a helmet would that make a difference in whether or not you wear a helmet?
Whenever these things happen, it just strengthens my resolve to always skate with a lid.

4. Do you think that media (magazines, television, etc) projected images of skaters without helmets influences your decision?
It doesn't influence mine, because I'm happy with making intelligent choices and don't care what people think of my image. But it's frustrating to still see mainstream magazines and TV promote the coolness of skating without a 'dorky' helmet. Especially since young kids are the most impressionable and look up to pros and former pros to do what's right.

5. If someone offered you a FREE quality skater's helmet would you promise to wear it & keep the promise?
Yes, if I thought the 'free' helmet looked like a good fit on my big head. I hope the industry can keep putting out more helmet shapes and sizes (maintaining safety and quality standards of course) to fit all our various head and face shapes. The main reason people don't wear helmets is because they are hung up on how other people view them as being dorks. But even once they get wise enough to answer the "helmet or not" question right, they still want to choose something sleek and cool, that isn't so big and clunky and makes them look like bobble-heads.

[In Loving Memory Of Ian Lee Tilmann]

Thank you for responding to my "Skate Smart Project" discussion. It helps to know that some skaters are making the "Smart" decision to wear a helmet whenever they skate:) It is unfortunate that helmets are considered "dorky" or "not cool" by skateboarders & I believe it is shameful that the skate industry doesn't actively promote helmet use within the skater community. Skateboarders are sustaining head injuries at the rate of over 50 per day & approximately 1 skater per week is losing their life because they didn't wear a helmet!

On May 16, 2005 my son, Ian Tilmann (28 y/o), was longboarding down a very small hill here in Florida (speed was approx 20 mph) when he encountered "speed wobble" & "wheel bite". Ian was pitched headfirst from his board...NO HELMET! Ten days later, May 26, Ian died from brain injuries. I can't express how much Ian's death has devastated his family:( Ian was an experienced longboarder/skateboarder. He had been skating for many years & he skated almost everyday of the week. He loved skateboarding:) In his memory I formed The Ian Tilmann Foundation, a registered public charity that promotes helmet use to skateboarders nationwide with its "Helmet For A Promise" program. Any skater who promises to wear a helmet EVERY TIME they skate will receive a Free Custom-Ordered Skater's Helmet from the Foundation. We offer S-One's full line of really "sleek & cool" helmets (both hard & soft foam) & a limited selection from Bern. We also can special order an XXL helmet (for heads measuring over 24"). I am only trying to make a positive difference in skateboarder's lives & I know that I have saved at least 12 skaters from serious (possibly fatal) brain injuries. Should you fall & damage your helmet, we will replace it. Please ask about our "Replacement" policy. So far, the Foundation has given away over 1,700 helmets to skateboarders nationwide. The Ian Tilmann Foundation sponsors/hosts skateboard competitions/events so I am very involved in the skateboarding community. To read more about Ian Tilmann check out his profile on Skateboarder's Journal & visit our website www.theiantilmannfoundation.org to check out our "Helmet For A Promise" program. Ian made the wrong decision (he thought helmets were "dorky" & totally unnecessary) & it cost him his life. Please help us to spread Ian's message to skateboarders everywhere...

"Skate Smart...Wear A Helmet...Live To Skate Tomorrow!"

Marcy Tilmann (Ian's Mom)
The Ian Tilmann Foundation, Inc.

[SPORTING-SAILS]

1. Do you wear a helmet when you skate & why? (If only when required, please say so)

I wear a helmet for downhill skateboarding. Being that downhill skateboarders do not have a safe place to “play” like snowboarders and skiers do in a resort setting, it is of my best interest to protect myself from other people, cars, dogs, cyclists, walkers, joggers, motorcycles etc. by wearing a helmet – not so much myself from me.

As a business owner of a skateboard related product. It is deemed irresponsible not to wear a helmet and to not promote them; however, skateboarding is dangerous, with or without a helmet. Helmets are smart, but they do not make safe skateboarders. Most of the time, it is not the helmet that needs addressing, but rather the lack of proper “skateboarding etiquette” specifically in a “roadside” setting that causes an unfortunate event to occur.

For example: The idea of “bombing hills” or “skating & destroying” is dangerous and dumb (I learned this as I grew older). The future of skateboarding must be intelligent and reliable, clean and controlled. Group skates are smart, increasing visibility is smart, repairing equipment is smart, staying in your lane is smart, having a safety device to slow down is smart, knowing skill-sets and limitations is smart, having a “spotter” is smart & downhill skate resorts would be very smart.

Just like surfing in a heavy line-up on a competitive point break (Rincon or Malibu for example) and dropping in on other surfer(s) without a leash is dangerous. Cycling against the traffic is dangerous (especially on fixed gears). Skateboarding without brakes is dangerous.

2. Do you object to wearing a helmet & why?

No. I don't object to wearing one.

3. If a friend or someone you know suffered severe head injuries or died because they didn't wear a helmet would that make a difference in whether or not you wear a helmet?

No. My friend who died was wearing a helmet, but not wearing shoes...with no way to stop.

4. Do you think that media (magazines, television, etc) projected images of skaters without helmets influences your decision?

As per question #1 response.

5. If someone offered you a FREE quality skater's helmet would you promise to wear it & keep the promise?

Being that I only skate downhill without any association or racing club - I believe proper “roadside” downhill skateboarding etiquette is most imporant and must be taught by the “leaders” of the industry – or more so, skateboarders need to provide themselves with a safe paved, “summer ski-resort" with signs that read: Yield to uphill traffic, fast skateboards in fast lane ONLY! Slide skating area only, sail/chute skating area only, green run, blue run, black run, make turns to gauge speed, 10 mph zone, helmets must be shown and worn at all times or pass will be revoked, etc.

Thank you.

Billy Smith