Prevention
Spinal Cord Protection Devices
The risk of suffering a spinal cord injury is considerably higher than generally thought.
Worldwide, every four minutes there is a traffic accident, which accounts for over half of all injuries. An accident at work, at home, during sports or leisure activities can also lead to spinal paralysis and therefore it is crucial to set standards in the field of prevention.
Wings for Life operates in this sector primarily as a platform that encourages cooperation and brings institutions, corporations and athletes together. Our objectives are, firstly, to improve existing protectors and, secondly, to develop new safety systems to reduce the number of potential spinal cord injuries.
At the moment Wings for Life is the sole spinal cord research foundation working in the field of active prevention.
Protectors and Protection Systems
Leatt-Brace®
Neck Brace for sportsmen wearing an integral helmet
Wings for Life worked with Dr. Chris Leatt to improve the Leatt-Brace®, one of the first neck braces. Dr. Leatt, a South African orthopaedist and casualty surgeon, developed the protector for the cervical vertebrae in cooperation with KTM-Sportmotorcycle AG, BMW Germany and the Trauma Center Murnau (Germany) to safeguard this sensitive area against injury, whilst still allowing full mobility of the head.
The Leatt-Brace® avoids hyperextension and hyperflexion of the cervical spine. Now protection systems like the Leatt-Brace® are used in different areas where the risk of an accident or spinal cord injury is high.
Leatt donates a portion of the worldwide proceeds from its products to Wings for Life.
Spine VPD Vest WFL
The Wings for Life back protector edition
The Swedish manufacturer of helmets, protectors and goggles, POC Sports, has developed a special back protector edition called "Spine VPD Vest WFL" for Wings for Life. This protects the user from injuries of the spine, whilst enabling the greatest possible flexibility and mobility.
The Wings for Life edition will be launched in October 2011 in the POC online store and in about 50 outlets in Germany. POC donates five percent of the revenue to Wings for Life.
