COMMENT | If you read my previous article about the 2012 Monster Energy Supercross Season and the insane amount of broken bones and other serious injuries, you know that I am all for AMA and/or Feld Industries asking all riders for more protective gear, especially neck braces . Two professional riders, Ryan Morais and Tyla Rattray, both broke their necks this season, and neither rider was wearing a neck brace.
The Dodgers landed Trey Canard from Morais in the stadium at Los Angeles Stadium last month, and thankfully hewas wearing a Leatt Brace. If he had not worn it, the result would undoubtedly have been worse than a broken back.
February 6 VitalMX.com released a video interview with Dr. Bodnar Asterisk Crew Medical — the on-site EMS team that is present every season of the AMA Supercross and Motocross. Dr. Bodnar was one of the doctors who attended to Canard after the horrific crash, which left both Canard and Morrais in the hospital awaiting surgery for their injuries. Dr. Bodnar has the Leatt Brace that Canard was wearing, and it shows all the damage he received in the ue, which is made of tough carbon fiber. There were several plates that were completely broken, showing the great force that was put on the neck of the Canard, which did not sustain any fractures.
At the end of the video, an image is still shown of Canardi on his bike leaning completely, and of Morais’ bike of almost 250-mhran – not including the weight body – almost right down to the head and neck. I don’t even want to think about the outcome if he didn’t have plates on him. If he had had a protector in the chest, which also covers the back of the rider, he would not even need a hand.
I’m so glad that VitalMX.com has taken down this video. More is needed to be done by governing bodies carrying out these injuries. Don’t spend thousands and thousands of dollars on R&D; for nothing If a chest protector is available, put it on! If there is a collar available, put it on! Your life may well be saved!
