 Poster: A snowHead
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At the ski show today; many many people buying helmets.
Looks like many people are making that choice. And it is a choice.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Personally it's a no for me. But each to their own. I certainly don't think anyone wearing a helmet is a knobhead.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| queen bodecia wrote: |
| Personally it's a no for me. But each to their own. I certainly don't think anyone wearing a helmet is a knobhead. |
I do. But probably in no greater proportion than for non-helmet wearers. 
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| blockhead wrote: |
if you dont like helmets try one of these http://www.cutebitz.com/ignite_d3o_beanie.htm i wear one but have not had any collisions yet so i cant really say how safe they are but
i do get lots of women touching my head  |
The D3O material is magic - last year I decided to learn snowboarding and brought some knee pads made from this, I was dubious about them to begin with as they were so soft and I'm a big heavy brute, but they saved my knees many times.
With regards to the original question - Yes, wear a helmet, while you might be an experienced skier the pistes are filled with learners who are accidents waiting to happen.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Get a helmet, I smashed into a tree head first and mashed my Giro G10 last season don't think a beanie would have offered much protection. got a nice POC receptor now, not because I didn't like the GIRO but because I got a good deal 
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| Quote: |
the pistes are filled with learners who are accidents waiting to happen
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I strongly suspect that most serious collisions are caused by people who are well past the learner stage. One guy who killed a girl in one of the US resorts was given a serious jail sentence precisely because he was an experienced skier (a liftie in fact) who should have known better.
milnerhome, I gather that helmets can't be relied upon to save you from smashing into trees head first. Maybe you were lucky? 
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I use one. Mrs Monium uses one. Many of our friends use one. I don't like skiing with people without one, especially people who are either pushing it, or who aren't very good (i.e. as bad as me or worse) because I worry more than I should about other people on the piste or them stacking it badly.
Every one of the "cool" kids who are hitting the park etc wear helmets. Almost all of the people I see hammering it and really know what they're doing seem to wear helmets. There isn't any kind of stigma associated with helmets any more. Straw poll in a lift queue in Tignes was more than 50% wearing helmets.
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I wear one, I also wore one for the last 50 or so threads on the subject, I possibly may not have done 60 threads ago 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Really seems to vary from country to country and even resort to resort. My last two trips (Courmayeur and La Thuile) I'd say helmet use was around 10-15%, but these were not peak weeks and the likelihood of piste collisions was extremely slim. I expect busier weeks may cause people to change their headgear habits.
By far the busiest skiing conditions I have ever witnessed have been UK indoor slopes where very few people wear helmets. I expect headgear choice is also determined by the type of skiing people do and the terrain/speed they seek. But it seems less and less to do with what people feel they look like and helmet design seems to have improved noticeably in the last couple of years from the original chunky plastic bowl head look. I still don't want one though. I don't wear a cycle helmet either and I've frequently ridden motorcycles without a helmet (not on the road and not at any sort of speed of course).
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I like that its your own choice. Who knows insurance companies may, one day, end up taking away this choice?
My view, wear a helmet. Yes to protect yourself from some lunatic ploughing in to you, but also because you accept that you are human and hence are liable to making the occasional mistake... no matter how experienced you are.
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Sun 31-10-10 23:58; edited 1 time in total
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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The best skier I ever met wore one, I just wear one cos it makes me look cool.
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It's def safer to wear one!
I dont wear a helmet, much to the consternation of my GF.
Most that I have seen are very poor inner build quality, even if the meet the regs. If I could find a comfortable one with a liner that will last more than a season, that may be a different story. I tried an Atomic Pro Tect at the ski show but they didn't have the right size!
Any Ideas where I can try a Atomic Pro Tect (or Pro Tect RS) in L and XL?
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I've been wearing a helmet for a couple of years now. I'm confident in my abilities as a skiier but it's not me I worry about. Seen far too many accidents caused by someone else out of control.
Another way of looking at it. If you have kids and took them skiing, would you make them wear a helmet?
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
If I could find a comfortable one with a liner that will last more than a season, that may be a different story.
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maybe they're better than they look. I've worn my giro for weeks and weeks for each of the last 6 seasons and it shows no sign of undue wear. That includes taking the liner out and washing it now and then.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Copied from another post of mine on the same subject
+++++++++++++++++++++
I never get involved in the many helmet threads as they tend to have too many thread drifts for me.
But, for those who don’t know, I’ll tell you the last thing you’ll hear, just before you die if you hit your head really hard when skiing. OK you won’t be able to tell anyone but, hey ho.
Not really sure how to describe it but it’s like the resonant tone of a large bell. Imagine if you put your head inside a large bell and someone stuck with a hammer. It’s not the actual bell chime (the noise you hear on a Sunday morning) but rather the tonal humming that comes about a second after the strike but in the case the tone doesn’t reduce in volume, it just keeps going. You can only normally hear this type of tone if you’re really close to a large bell that’s been struck, but imagine being inside the bell and hearing it. Well that’s what it sounds like to hit your head hard enough.
However, this may have been just my experience and it may be different for each person – who knows, as most people won’t be able to tell you.
My experience came on a BASI race training course. Was coming down “really” fast down a very steep slope, caught an edge, heard the bell, work up after somersaulting 200m down the slope.
I good mate of mine, who I hope that you never meet as he is the consultant casualty doctor you’ll get taken to on the helicopter from anywhere in the Milky Way area, told me that in these type of accidents you either get paralysed, die or get lucky and have no serious injuries. There are very rarely any other outcomes at that speed – he watched the accident and (very lucky for me) was there to check for spinal cord and bone injuries. I only had a few ripped tendons (arms and legs ain’t meant to bend like they do when a person starts to bounce down a hill).
I was wearing a helmet.
But now please feel free to shout at me and tell me that wearing a helmet will mess up your hair, make you feel uncomfortable, they don’t look good in photos, etc, etc
The ONLY argument for not wearing a helmet that stands up to scrutiny, is Personal Choice. You don’t wear a helmet as you don’t want to. That’s fine by me, you know the risks and you choose to accept them, that’s OK.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Oh dear, I had hoped to avoid the temptation of posting in this thread - since, in view of the history of helmets threads in sHs, I had assumed it had been started by a troll. However,
| Wayne wrote: |
| The ONLY argument for not wearing a helmet that stands up to scrutiny, is Personal Choice |
demands a response - which is that helmets are less effective than many think. And before someone chunters on about cycle helmets, the evidence for them not that clear either.
| Quote: |
The premise that helmets save lives is by extrapolation from research that has suggested that helmets might reduce injuries to the head. As most fatalities involve head injury (this applies to all major external causes of violent death, not especially cycling), the reasoning is that by reducing injuries to the head, cycle helmets can lead to fewer cyclist deaths.
Whole population data
Whole population statistics for cycling fatalities do not support the above hypothesis.
Long-term analyses of fatalities in Canada [8], New Zealand [9] and USA [10] [11] show no helmet benefit; indeed, one study [11] suggests helmeted cyclists are more likely to be killed. Although fatality rates have generally declined, cyclists have fared no better than pedestrians. In Great Britain, too, there has been no discernible improvement in fatality trends relative to pedestrians as helmets have become more common [12] [13] . |
Wear a helmet if you want to - I often do, since I believe that it protects me form nasty cuts, grazes and bruises in some circumstances. But don't go relying on them to save your life or becoming a vegetable - and don't get all evangelistic about them.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
| The ONLY argument for not wearing a helmet that stands up to scrutiny, is Personal Choice. |
I've had a couple of "good" tumbles that, without a lid, would probably have required medical assistance. As it was I was lucky to get away with a sore head, so personally I don't care for any research that says the jury's still out.
Anyone who thinks they have some kind of handle or, worse, control, over the myriad of alpine hazards in even a gentle days cruising, is deluding themselves. But, as Wayne says, it's your choice.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I ride like a maniac with a helmet on, I think I am invincible and will not hurt myself if I fall
I ride much slower and carefully without a helmet on, I think I am vulnerable and will hurt myself if I fall
safer for me not to wear one 
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A straw poll, but the impression I get is that most people believe a collision instigated by an out-of-control lump of an individual, is the main justification for wearing a helmet - ie it'll be an outside force that delivers the head injury and most are pretty confident that they won't do it to themselves. Given that an out-of-control person is more likely to damage all the other exposed bits of you, why aren't we discussing the full body armour option? Or, better, should we be discussing the adjustment to your skiing habits... where you ski and how you ski. In my case, on busy runs, I stick to the sides and keep moving. When taking the kids I go to quiet places.
I don't wear one but, on balance, if you find them comfy, then why not? However, I do think the pro-helmet PR and press hysteria everyime a celeb falls over, has greatly added to the exaggeration of the real risk.
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Morning achilles.
I can't believe that this helmet thread has got to almost two pages with everybody still being polite 
It seems to me that quite a lot of the "pro" evidence on this and other threads is anecdotal - but to me that doesn't make it invalid.
Following on from your comparison with cycle helmets, I will add a cycle anecdote. Just over a year ago I took a tumble off my bike, smacking my head hard on the road. I smashed my kevlar-reinforced cycle helmet. All the right side of my body was bruised and grazed, my neck hurt, but my head was absolutely fine. I am confident that, at a minmum, I would have been in A&E without the helmet, possibly a LOT worse.
I wear helmets for skiing (as you know) and cycling and don't plan to change - but I do view that as my choice, and would probably avoid an insurance company that offered me a discount for doing so.
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Freddie Paellahead, - our very own Bohemian Rhapsody - long time no speak - and happy birthday to you!
Have you seen this paper [Word document] by Dr Dorothy Robinson into the impact of the mandatory bicycle helmet law in New Zealand?
| Quote: |
| Hansen and Suffham (1995) estimated the cost of the New Zealand helmet law for adults was more than $15 million over a 3-year period, which was considered to be the protective life of an undamaged helmet in normal use. This is a most substantial cost, for no clear benefit. |
Glad your bonce came out of your scrape OK, though.
PS - any chance of seeing you at the steeps event?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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most skiers I see skiing at break neck speed tend to be wearing a helmet - do helmets encourage faster skiing ?
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rayscoops, if they are in control then they are probably wearing it because they are going fast. If they are not in control then the helmet isn't protecting much. I once saw a study that suggested helmet use encouraged greater risk taking but that was when overall helmet usage was low. Maybe some of your fast skiers are wearing one because it's part of the required "look" of a fast skier, maybe the helmet helps define them in the same way the rest of their kit does. So, the technical answer is... don't know.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I started wearing one not because of myself falling over but because of a couple of incidents of learner skiers and boarders flying into the back of me !
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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rayscoops, ignoring the outrageous troll for a moment, I'd ask if the fast folk you see are in control and going fast on a sensible piste and conditions. If someone's barreling down, but arms by the side and in the back seat I stop and let them get well clear, wishing them luck as I do. This is something I do quite regularly, for example, on the combe saulire towards the end of the week when the blue run heros fancy a crack at it and get a bit carried away. I don't think that wearing a helmet influences speed, it's the general awareness (or lack thereof) of the individual that influences.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Mon 1-11-10 13:35; edited 2 times in total
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Oh yes, and alos because my kids were having to wear them and asking me why I didn't have to !! Seemed easier to start wearing one than try to explain to them why I didn't need one but they did !!
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You know it makes sense.
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achilles, whilst I respect the validity of any argument against the use of helmets, I do have to add a couple of variables that undermine any such study as to the effectiveness of protective equipment.
One must consider both the rider and the circumstances of them wearing a helmet before taking the fact that more people wearing helmets have died than those not wearing helmets. Those who are most likely to wear helmets when skiing will be off-piste skiers, freestylers and those riding at break-neck speeds. Those least likely to wear helmets are beginners and intermediates more bothered with looking 'good' on the slopes than protecting their heads. In the former, incidents involving head trauma are far more likely than in the latter where the skiers are cruising down blues at half the speed. Therefore the study would have to introduce data regarding the entire number of incidents recorded in a certain scenario (on a snowpark, for instance) and then compare that with the type of injury sustained and the protective equipment worn. Only then could a study accurately deduce whether or not helmets assisted in protecting their wearer from injury.
As for cyclists, the same rings true. Cyclists wearing helmets are more likely to be those participating in downhill events, over uncertain terrain, or in busy city centre environments. Those not wearing helmets are more likely to be casual riders going over moorland, in parks and along suburban roads. It would require the introduction of evidence as per the skiing study to make it an accurate, and thus useful, study. As is, it serves the purpose of convincing those questioning whether to wear a helmet or not that they're better off without - and that does no-one any good.
In the absence of material shattering and penetrating your head/skull or the strap pulling into your windpipe, there is logically no scenario in which a helmet would cause more damage to your head than the lack of a helmet. I'll go with a helmet every time.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Bode Swiller, Dr John, , but of the people I see out of control, more seem to have a lid on than not - watch out for it on your next trip.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I used to be a militant non helmet wearer but Mrs Monkey persuaded me to get one. I now love it and would hate to go out on the board without it. Mostly because it's more comfy and warm than a hat, and it clips onto the goggles well.
I suppose it might be a bit safer too. I did a sweet unplanned somersault last year and landed head first upside down on an icy patch. Didn't hurt at all with the helmet on. I suppose it would have bruised me a bit without the helmet.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Astraeus, when helmets were made compulsory in Holland for cyclists the number of cyclists reduced by 2/3 of it was before, and of those 2/3 no doubt the death rate increased due the reduction in exercise. In this instance the overall health of this group of people dropped due to wearing helmets
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Astraeus, i made that bit up, but it is a fair assumption imho and there is no need to let the truth get in the wall iof a good troll
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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rayscoops, I'm crap at this lark of being understood on t'interweb. I was attempting a humorous follow-on from your post, alluding to the ridiculous events which can be adduced as causation in these studies. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| rayscoops wrote: |
| Astraeus, when helmets were made compulsory in Holland for cyclists the number of cyclists reduced by 2/3 of it was before, and of those 2/3 no doubt the death rate increased due the reduction in exercise. In this instance the overall health of this group of people dropped due to wearing helmets |
A 2/3 reduction? Are you sure? Sounds a bit iffy to me. I was in Amsterdam recently and I can't recall seeing more than a handful of cyclists wearing helmets. Pedestrians there need them more than the cyclists I reckon.
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Studies have shown, beyond doubt, that people sitting all day at computers talking about their helmets are 50% more likely to drop dead than non-helmet-wearing out-of-control skiers.
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Astraeus, it is alright mate, I got it, relax, you are doing just fine
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Timbobaggins wrote: |
Must be a big KH coz i cannot work out how to attach a piccy.
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I don't think anyone answered.
Go HERE and register (free). Download your photo(s). If you now click on your photo it will come up on the screen with a code under it. Put this in your text and you will get a thumbnail (which returns people to the large image when clicked-on). However, if you want a large pic in your text click on the icon at the end of the code and you will get 3 more. Use the middle one (starting [img])
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Bode Swiller, maybe it was 1/3 or something
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FAQ
