Yes. There are theoretical risks to this collar. Mostly that of forming blood clots. Any time blood flow slows it's more likely to clot. A clot in the veins draining the brain can cause a type of stroke. I think in a hockey application where you can remove it or loosen it between shifts that's less of a concern, but I can see bikers wearing these for hours at a time.
The other thing though is that in other areas of human physiology, raising pressure in the venous system tends to result in transient effects. For example in people with low blood pressure I can get their blood pressure to go up for a bit by raising their legs. That effect will wane after a short while however, probably because veins tend to be stretchy and as they distend the pressure will fall. That's why I wonder if a sudden premptive squeeze by the collar in response to a sudden deceleration might actually be more effective. The theory here is to elevate the intracranial pressure at time of impact. If that is true then you really only need this to be happening for a fraction of a second. The other cool thing would be that you don't need an actual impact. Just a sudden deceleration or acceleration. As Cam mentioned you don't actually need to hit your head to sustain a concussion. Sudden deceleration/acceleration forces seem to be enough. So if that is true then this should be really applicable.
Oct. 27, 2017, 7:36 p.m. - Moritz Haager
Yes. There are theoretical risks to this collar. Mostly that of forming blood clots. Any time blood flow slows it's more likely to clot. A clot in the veins draining the brain can cause a type of stroke. I think in a hockey application where you can remove it or loosen it between shifts that's less of a concern, but I can see bikers wearing these for hours at a time. The other thing though is that in other areas of human physiology, raising pressure in the venous system tends to result in transient effects. For example in people with low blood pressure I can get their blood pressure to go up for a bit by raising their legs. That effect will wane after a short while however, probably because veins tend to be stretchy and as they distend the pressure will fall. That's why I wonder if a sudden premptive squeeze by the collar in response to a sudden deceleration might actually be more effective. The theory here is to elevate the intracranial pressure at time of impact. If that is true then you really only need this to be happening for a fraction of a second. The other cool thing would be that you don't need an actual impact. Just a sudden deceleration or acceleration. As Cam mentioned you don't actually need to hit your head to sustain a concussion. Sudden deceleration/acceleration forces seem to be enough. So if that is true then this should be really applicable.