Bobsledders hail new safety system
National club gets helmets for free New protocol set for concussions
CALGARY— The new helmet on Bret Bresciani’s head is the most outward sign of a radical off- season change for Canada’s bobsledders.
Bobsleigh Canada overhauled its medical and safety protocols after a majority of team members complained last season that they felt pressured to compete while suffering from concussions.
For the first time, Bobsleigh Canada has established guidelines for treating concussions as well as a return- to- competition protocol, a program called “ state of the art” by the veteran physician who helped develop them. And athletes who previously had to provide their own helmets, at a cost of around $800 each, will now have them supplied by a California company that read about the athletes’ plight in a Star story last May.
In that article, eight of 13 athletes on Canada’s national men’s bobsled team said they felt they weren’t adequately treated after suffering concussions.
At the time, Bobsleigh Canada had no protocol for treating concussions, no physician travelling with the men’s team, often left its athletes to seek their own medical help overseas and did not supply helmets.
Dr. Winne Meeuwisse, who has worked with the NHL on establishing concussion guidelines, praised Bobsleigh Canada for using increased funding from the Own the Podium program to address every concern.
“ I would say it’s state of the art,” said Meeuwise.
“ I think Bobsleigh Canada should be applauded for what they’ve done. They’ve seized Own the Podium and grabbed this opportunity by the horns. They’ve adopted all the international concussion recommendations. I would say they’re ahead of the curve now.”
It remains to be seen how the new program will work in practice.
Bobsled culture is similar to football, where athletes often feel pressure to keep competing when they’re injured. The athletes are also often their own worst enemies by hiding injuries — a huge risk in a sport where a crash means 900 pounds of sled and athletes hitting a concrete wall at 130 kilometres per hour.
“ There’s a lot of positive things going on here for sure,” said brakeman Nathan Cunningham.
“ It’s looking promising, but it’s tough to make a complete judgment until you get on the ice in an international race.”
The support for the men’s team has increased, with veteran bobsled coach Malcolm Lloyd being added this season as team manager to help men’s head coach Gerd Grimme. And a doctor or other health professional, such a physiotherapist or chiropractor trained in concussion management, will be with the men’s team at all events.
For the first time in years, the Canadians will carry spare helmets on tour, courtesy of new sponsor KBC Helmets.
“The point will be they will have extra helmets with them so that should they be in a crash, there is the availability of another helmet if their helmet’s damaged,” said Bobsleigh Canada boss Shane Pearsall.
Canadian athletes like Bresciani, a Saskatoon native who endured two crashes with his old helmet — a battered, hand- medown that had also been in two crashes with its previous owner — are thrilled with their new gear.
“ It’s nice to have a new helmet, that’s for sure,” said the 21- yearold Bresciani. “ You feel better knowing you have it when you slide.”