From time to time we creative types get so caught up in the process of invention, that we often stop to take a step back and consider the true implications of our creations. "What does it mean?", "What problem does this solve?", "Is this necessary?", and most importantly, "Is this safe?" are all questions that can sometimes take a back-seat to the question that drives us: "Can it be done?".
Yesterday, I fell victim to that mindset. I had just finished adding some nylon lock-nuts, a second battery, and an in-line battery cutoff switch to my eboard, and ran out the door to go test it... without a helmet. Less than a mile down the road, the sidewalk became choppy, and lost in my focus of the sidewalks treachery, I failed to noticed a fallen tree-branch right at head-height.
The next thing I knew I was laying in a hospital-bed, with a doctor standing over me. My blood splattered e-board was propped up in the corner. I always prided myself on my ability to stay on a board, even at moderate speeds, and never considered a head-injury to be a real possibility, as a fall seemed quite unlikely. But boy Murphy is a son-of-a-bitch like that.
The doctor said I was lucky, and although I suffered a nasty laceration to the top of my head, it didnt look like I had a concussion or brain damage. Then he told me that I would have been even luckier if I had a helmet on, and those words have resonated with me quite a bit.
Accidents can happy to ANYONE, no matter how careful, skillful, or aware you THINK you are. Please guys, dont let a joyride on an awesome creation land you in the same place I spent my labor-day evening. Please, please, wear a helmet. You dont want to end up with this in your head:
