Intermountain Health's Trauma and Prevention Teams Urge Safety Precautions and Helmets

SALT LAKE CITY - May 26, 2023 - PRLog -- Last year 15 cyclists lost their lives in accidents and 49 experienced serious injuries in the state of Utah alone. That is the deadliest year for bicycle accidents since the Utah Department of Public Safety started keeping track.

With school ending and summer activities beginning,Intermountain Health's safety prevention and trauma teams are reminding bicycle riders of the importance of wearing a helmet and staying safe when riding.

Intermountain Health treated more than 2,700 bicycle-related injuries in its emergency departments in Utah and Idaho in 2022. Adam Stewart, 15, who rides with the Lehi High School Mountain Bike Team was one of those injuries. He has ridden more than 1,100 miles so far this year and knows the importance of wearing a helmet and protecting his head.
Last year, during the Utah High School Cycling State Championships in St. George, Utah, Adam was close to earning a place on the podium and wiped out on the sandy course – hitting his head hard on the ground. He jumped back up and got on his bike, but when he crossed the finish line he didn't go to the podium, but went straight to the medical tent.
On site doctors diagnosed Adam with a mild a concussion and advised him to stay off his bike, stay off electronic screens, and follow concussion protocols.

Bicycle related incidents historically rise during the summer months – peaking in July. Some of these traumatic injuries could be prevented by wearing a helmet.
Intermountain trauma experts say a good-fitting helmet should:

On Saturday, May 20, trauma caregivers from Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital, Intermountain American Fork, and Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital will set-up at four locations along the Murdock Canal trail in Utah County, conducting helmet fittings, supplying safety information, and conducting safety demonstrations.

Helmet Safety, which is part of the Hold on to Dear Life injury prevention program, expands on Intermountain's commitment to keep children and families healthy in their communities, and is part of the Primary Promise Healthy Kids initiative.

About Intermountain

Intermountain Healthcare is a team of nearly 60,000 caregivers who serve the healthcare needs of people across the Intermountain West, primarily in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Kansas. They are an integrated, non-profit health system based in Salt Lake City, with clinics, a medical group, affiliate networks, hospitals, homecare, telehealth, health insurance plans, and other services, along with wholly owned subsidiaries including SelectHealth, Saltzer Health, Castell, Tellica, and Classic Air Medical.