Larry Frankenstein
Well-known member
When did SCCA eliminate requiring blood type and tetanus info on helmets? And why?
Thank you,
L
Thank you,
L
Helmet markings
- Thread starter Larry Frankenstein
- Start date
Gary Wittman
Well-known member
I don't know exactly when it was eliminated but it was more than 10 years ago. You can still have that information on there if you want. The rule just states that it must have the driver's name as a minimum.
Why? Probably because it is required to have personal medical information on file and accessible in the event of an emergency. I doubt a helmet would be carried along in an emergency for medical reference anyway. So, It was probably deemed an unnecessary rule and it was dropped.
Why? Probably because it is required to have personal medical information on file and accessible in the event of an emergency. I doubt a helmet would be carried along in an emergency for medical reference anyway. So, It was probably deemed an unnecessary rule and it was dropped.
Dayle Frame
Well-known member
Our region doesn't even collect medical info on entry forms anymore because of HIPPA rules. I put my name and blood type on the helmet anyway. When I did a NEDiv event a couple of years ago they asked that I put a small envelope (which they supplied) with that info on my helmet. Fine with me.
Dayle
Dayle
Bobby Lentz
Well-known member
it doesn't matter what you have for blood type on your helmet, no medical professional would trust it to be accurate without typing you.
I would point out that if you have any special conditions ( allergies, no MRI etc) it wouldn't hurt to have that info on the helmet as a heads up to the medical folks. Due to metal particles in my eyes and elsewhere an MRI would do serious damage and possibly blind me. I have no MRI on my helmet and in the medical info pouch.
This
is required when participating in events in SOWDIV.
More information:
http://wingstuff.com/products/28984-med ... ccessories
If you are coming for the super tour in March and don't have one ask in Tech. They usually have them on hand, FREE.
is required when participating in events in SOWDIV.
More information:
http://wingstuff.com/products/28984-med ... ccessories
If you are coming for the super tour in March and don't have one ask in Tech. They usually have them on hand, FREE.
Doesn't it seem like the right place to put our names is on the suit?
The odds to still having your helmet when you get to the hospital are slim. I'd think you'd most likely still be in your suit.
Although it is easier to write you name on a piece of tape and stick it to your helmet compared to having it sewn onto your suit.
-Kyle
The odds to still having your helmet when you get to the hospital are slim. I'd think you'd most likely still be in your suit.
Although it is easier to write you name on a piece of tape and stick it to your helmet compared to having it sewn onto your suit.
-Kyle
dave parker
Well-known member
Larry
All of the information being required on your helmet went away when the Health Information Privacy and Portability Act (HIPPA) went into effect in 2003. This act made it illegal to ask people for their medical information without being able to securely store it.
I do not know about you, but having my medical information on a three x five index card in the control tower is NOT secure storage.
That is when the helmet med pouch that Jerry pictured became available. The mindset being that the driver had their information with them, and they would protect it.
With modern website based registration there is no need to fill out a "medical card". Besides as someone else said, no medical practitioner worth the shoes they are standing in would believe it. They are going to type and cross match your blood and try to get an oral medical history from you (the patient) or from your family.
Kyle, if you have any sort of physical trauma the first thing the EMS folks are going to do is get the scissors and cut your suit off of you. So having your name on it really serves no purpose, unless you like it.
Jeez, I can not believe that I know all of this. :doh:
cheers
dave parker
All of the information being required on your helmet went away when the Health Information Privacy and Portability Act (HIPPA) went into effect in 2003. This act made it illegal to ask people for their medical information without being able to securely store it.
I do not know about you, but having my medical information on a three x five index card in the control tower is NOT secure storage.
That is when the helmet med pouch that Jerry pictured became available. The mindset being that the driver had their information with them, and they would protect it.
With modern website based registration there is no need to fill out a "medical card". Besides as someone else said, no medical practitioner worth the shoes they are standing in would believe it. They are going to type and cross match your blood and try to get an oral medical history from you (the patient) or from your family.
Kyle, if you have any sort of physical trauma the first thing the EMS folks are going to do is get the scissors and cut your suit off of you. So having your name on it really serves no purpose, unless you like it.
Jeez, I can not believe that I know all of this. :doh:
cheers
dave parker
CBB
Well-known member
I agree that the writing on the helmet phased out a number of years ago, but my understanding last time I worked tech (which was a while ago) was that the sticky black medical pouch Jerry pictured were required everywhere and that workers had the same thing, but a hanging version rather than sticky version, to stay with their creds. May not be the case that they're required... They *should* be filled out in pencil and the information *should* be kept updated, altho we all know that doesn't happen in real life.
When I was transported, they did not cut my suit off (why let all that pesky dirt out at the track? save it until I was in the ER and then pour all the dirt out of my suit onto the floor) but the EMTs definitely wanted my helmet to go with me. But this was the old days when the med info was still written on the helmet every year.
The only times I've seen the suit cut off is when the person is being recussitated so it doesn't interfere with the activity or in similarly really bad situations when having the suit on means it's in the way of what the EMTs are trying to do. In most cases of transport - which thank god are usually not the *really bad situations*, I've seen the suit left alone. But I've almost always seen the helmet go with the transport. In some instances I've seen the EMTs seek it out and ask for it; in more recent cases where a safety steward has been front and center on a scene, I've seen them hold it and hand it over as transport prepares to depart.
When I was transported, they did not cut my suit off (why let all that pesky dirt out at the track? save it until I was in the ER and then pour all the dirt out of my suit onto the floor) but the EMTs definitely wanted my helmet to go with me. But this was the old days when the med info was still written on the helmet every year.
The only times I've seen the suit cut off is when the person is being recussitated so it doesn't interfere with the activity or in similarly really bad situations when having the suit on means it's in the way of what the EMTs are trying to do. In most cases of transport - which thank god are usually not the *really bad situations*, I've seen the suit left alone. But I've almost always seen the helmet go with the transport. In some instances I've seen the EMTs seek it out and ask for it; in more recent cases where a safety steward has been front and center on a scene, I've seen them hold it and hand it over as transport prepares to depart.
TED HEINRITZ
Well-known member
They might want the helmet to see if it was damaged during the accident. Helmet damage would indicate head trama.
Any other info, they would have to confirm, like blood type.
Seems like we should ask the medical people what they think would be helpful. We know racing can be risky, so we use safety equipment to reduce the risk. In the event of a injury we want the medical people to have any info that could be helpful. We want to reduce injurys and recover from them.
Will the medical people even know to look for the little pouch with the info?? If you have any known special needs, like alergies might be helpful for them to know.
Ideally a accident is later a funny story that we can tell after future races.
Any other info, they would have to confirm, like blood type.
Seems like we should ask the medical people what they think would be helpful. We know racing can be risky, so we use safety equipment to reduce the risk. In the event of a injury we want the medical people to have any info that could be helpful. We want to reduce injurys and recover from them.
Will the medical people even know to look for the little pouch with the info?? If you have any known special needs, like alergies might be helpful for them to know.
Ideally a accident is later a funny story that we can tell after future races.
Larry Frankenstein
Well-known member
I was asking about this because it came up on a site I visit for our off road racing. I was going to quote the SCCA rule when I found it was no longer there. I was going to tell them their safety rules are somewhat Neanderthal compared to what SCCA’s are/were. But it looks like SCCA has devolved.
Some interesting, unexpected, diverse and conflicting, input. What concerns me now, given the varying input (see my following post), is the differences between how some regions handle this vs. having a national policy. I had expected in this area that there would be, wait for it . . . cause I can’t believe I’m about to say this . . . some consistency from SCCA.
I talked to a RN (a.k.a. my gf) who is involved in the training and application of HIPAA via her job in the “IT” dept of the hospital here. HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Briefly, if you read the HIPAA “Covered Entity” explanation on the sites below you will find that SCCA is not a Covered Entity. Also, there is a “requirement” in the rules that there be a “second identifier” for the data to be covered. In other words (my words in this case) just a name on the data is not sufficient to be covered by HIPAA. There needs to be some other info that identifies which “Joe Smith” the data belongs to. Typically that would be a SSN.
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/un ... index.html
If an incident happened and HIPAA was given as a reason for not having medical info available, that alone could open SCCA and the region to a very arguable negligence claim. SCCA’s National office already has your medical info via the Physical Exam requirement.
Re pouches; If medical people would not believe the info in the back of the helmet how is info in a pouch any different?
Re SCCA’s policies. Does SCCA have any policy regarding transporting injured drivers and their med info? Do emergency workers tell on-site ambulance / hospital about the helmet or any med info? If not on the helmet or if it is disregarded, does med info go to ambulance / hospital with an injured driver? If not why not? How would they know if you have allergies or other condition(s) (like Don’s eye condition)? Where on SCCA site can I find this info? Or whom would I contact regarding SCCA’s medical policies?
Larry
Some interesting, unexpected, diverse and conflicting, input. What concerns me now, given the varying input (see my following post), is the differences between how some regions handle this vs. having a national policy. I had expected in this area that there would be, wait for it . . . cause I can’t believe I’m about to say this . . . some consistency from SCCA.
I talked to a RN (a.k.a. my gf) who is involved in the training and application of HIPAA via her job in the “IT” dept of the hospital here. HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Briefly, if you read the HIPAA “Covered Entity” explanation on the sites below you will find that SCCA is not a Covered Entity. Also, there is a “requirement” in the rules that there be a “second identifier” for the data to be covered. In other words (my words in this case) just a name on the data is not sufficient to be covered by HIPAA. There needs to be some other info that identifies which “Joe Smith” the data belongs to. Typically that would be a SSN.
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/un ... index.html
If an incident happened and HIPAA was given as a reason for not having medical info available, that alone could open SCCA and the region to a very arguable negligence claim. SCCA’s National office already has your medical info via the Physical Exam requirement.
Re pouches; If medical people would not believe the info in the back of the helmet how is info in a pouch any different?
Re SCCA’s policies. Does SCCA have any policy regarding transporting injured drivers and their med info? Do emergency workers tell on-site ambulance / hospital about the helmet or any med info? If not on the helmet or if it is disregarded, does med info go to ambulance / hospital with an injured driver? If not why not? How would they know if you have allergies or other condition(s) (like Don’s eye condition)? Where on SCCA site can I find this info? Or whom would I contact regarding SCCA’s medical policies?
Larry
Larry Frankenstein
Well-known member
Re: 3 x 5 cards (or whatever non-electronic format a region may have your info on). Yes, I actually would prefer that vs. on computer or not having any info at all. Given that computer data is hacked very often now-a-days I would figure if a responsible person (Treasurer) in each region kept the 3x5’s in a bank safe deposit box between each race they would probably be less accessible than any computer records are now.
If a driver is unconscious would removing a helmet be something the emergency workers / ambulance people do? Are they equipped to do this without causing further injury?
Also, we discussed the position of the info on the helmet. The back may not be the best place, since generally speaking when a person is on the gurney they are face up. I’m now considering having it on the front or side of my helmet. Easier to read without moving the driver’s head.
Exactly, if someone is alone (or does not have family) at a race, away from their local region (e.g. me at the June Sprints) how will emergency workers / ambulance / hospital know about any condition(s) I may have?FIAT90FP":auyequ8t said:
Larry
TED HEINRITZ
Well-known member
Method of any medical info should be at National level, we should all do the same thing.
Some might have critical info that could be very helpful, so how is that best given to the medical people.....
They could assume you have a barrowed helmet, they sent along the helmet to show any helmet damage, to help determine head trama, but any other critical info, are they 100% sure it's his helmet. Just because its the one he was using.
Now for us it is very rare to use someone elses helmet, but how would the hospital staff know. Having some sort of National rule would help and maybe letting the track EMT and local hospital staff know what we are doing would help. If everyone knows there could be critical info and where it is located.
Do the pro raceres do anything like this. Lots of crashes in NASCAR, they know who is on track for the event, do they give any medical info to the tracck EMTS.
Some might have critical info that could be very helpful, so how is that best given to the medical people.....
They could assume you have a barrowed helmet, they sent along the helmet to show any helmet damage, to help determine head trama, but any other critical info, are they 100% sure it's his helmet. Just because its the one he was using.
Now for us it is very rare to use someone elses helmet, but how would the hospital staff know. Having some sort of National rule would help and maybe letting the track EMT and local hospital staff know what we are doing would help. If everyone knows there could be critical info and where it is located.
Do the pro raceres do anything like this. Lots of crashes in NASCAR, they know who is on track for the event, do they give any medical info to the tracck EMTS.
Rob
Well-known member
NASCAR has 3 nurses that follow the Touring Series and act as medical liasons for just this type of thing. The first stop that every driver involved in an incident makes is in the Infield Care Center for evaluation. If the Docs there feel that there is no risk they are released. If there is a potential for complications they are sent to the Hospital and all of the info that is on file goes with them. The medical liason is in contact with the hospital, including going to the hospital if necessary. Medial liason also keeps the family/team apprised of what is going on.
Advantage that they have is the same 43 guys every week at every track. If someone is new and "guest" driving, like "road race specialists" the nurse medical liasons make sure that they have all the info necessary for them, too.
Not sure how they handle the weekly "home track" stuff.
Advantage that they have is the same 43 guys every week at every track. If someone is new and "guest" driving, like "road race specialists" the nurse medical liasons make sure that they have all the info necessary for them, too.
Not sure how they handle the weekly "home track" stuff.
TED HEINRITZ
Well-known member
Sounds like some of the Pro race events have this figured out.
What if we had a sealed envelope with photo ID on the outside, drop that off at registration, it's only opened if needed. No privicy issue.
Even if you are trasported quickly, there is always some time to get to you and load you into the transport. As soon as the crash is reported, they could located your info and send the sealed package to the hospital. The picture on the outside would confirm it is you, and you could decide what info to include, like contact info.
This would be better than info on a helmet, doc has no idea if you barrowed a helmet. For us it would be very rare, but do they know that.... The photo on the outside of the package would confirm the ID of the person. Blood type might still be checked, but any special needs could be known, like alergies that could be a problem. Or any other medical issues that could be helpful.
Some people should not get a MRI, or at least not until after a X-ray. Any metal will show up in the X-ray. If you do much grinding either at home or at work, something to consider.
Might be helpful to know someone is wearing contacts, and if they shouldn't sleep in them.
What if we had a sealed envelope with photo ID on the outside, drop that off at registration, it's only opened if needed. No privicy issue.
Even if you are trasported quickly, there is always some time to get to you and load you into the transport. As soon as the crash is reported, they could located your info and send the sealed package to the hospital. The picture on the outside would confirm it is you, and you could decide what info to include, like contact info.
This would be better than info on a helmet, doc has no idea if you barrowed a helmet. For us it would be very rare, but do they know that.... The photo on the outside of the package would confirm the ID of the person. Blood type might still be checked, but any special needs could be known, like alergies that could be a problem. Or any other medical issues that could be helpful.
Some people should not get a MRI, or at least not until after a X-ray. Any metal will show up in the X-ray. If you do much grinding either at home or at work, something to consider.
Might be helpful to know someone is wearing contacts, and if they shouldn't sleep in them.
Stephen Hyatt
New member
A couple of quick points from a 25yr vetern of street and track EMS-
We always want the helmet to be transported with a driver, it provides valuable information, we do the samething with motorcycle riders on the street,
"Med tags" are used and the information treated as correct, usually since the EMS crew will verify that it belongs to the injured driver. We use the same tags for SWAT teams, Fire Dept members etc... and use the info.
The info on the tag will not be held as gospel but will be used not to do something wrong (give you a drug you have an allergy to or as mentioned give you a MRI with metal in your eye).
If you use one please keep it up to date.
Finally, SCCA might be considered a covered entity as we provide a company health insurance plan to all members, SCCA does insure every driver, volunteer and member.
We always want the helmet to be transported with a driver, it provides valuable information, we do the samething with motorcycle riders on the street,
"Med tags" are used and the information treated as correct, usually since the EMS crew will verify that it belongs to the injured driver. We use the same tags for SWAT teams, Fire Dept members etc... and use the info.
The info on the tag will not be held as gospel but will be used not to do something wrong (give you a drug you have an allergy to or as mentioned give you a MRI with metal in your eye).
If you use one please keep it up to date.
Finally, SCCA might be considered a covered entity as we provide a company health insurance plan to all members, SCCA does insure every driver, volunteer and member.
dave parker
Well-known member
For those not in the know, "scca medical" as he posts here is one of the folks whom brought the Helmet Med tag to use in the SCCA.
cheers
dave parker
cheers
dave parker