Wear your helmet! There are NO excuses for NOT wearing a helmet. It only takes one fall to render someone brain damaged or dead. Every year I hear about a serious accident that could have been avoided, if the skater was wearing a helmet, and wearing it properly. If you got a helmet, buckle it. Easy.
If you want a helmet, there is a charity that will give you one, for free, as long as you promise to wear it.
The Ian Tilmann Foundation was set up by Ian's family after his death, and has been a driving force in assuring longevity in the skateboard community. Please check out the site, and pay your respects...
Skate hard, skate safe, and skate for life.