Replacing helmet after single impact (with no visible damage)?

A snowHead

Hey guys,

Just thought I'd get some opinions. I was on an instruction camp a few weeks ago and whilst riding very hard (with a group that was made up of participants much more experienced than myself) I caught the heel edge of my snowboard whilst riding the toe-side and trying to do reverse carves, fell backwards and whacked the back of my head onto the snow. The force of the impact was enough to knock my magnetic lens out of the goggle frame, but I was fine, and got up immediately to keep on riding for the rest of the day. Had a mild occipital headache for 15 mins but nothing else.

The helmet itself looks absolutely fine, with no exterior damage to the plastic, and no visible damage or compression to the foam on the inside. I'm aware of the advice to replace a helmet after a major collision, but obviously judging the severity of the collision is a largely subjective process (unless there's clear damage to the helmet/your head I suppose).

Just wondered people's thoughts on this. It would be a shame to replace the helmet as it was the first week I've used this helmet, and I've got another 3 weeks left just this season. But then, catching your heel edge is not unusual for a lower level rider and I've got another couple weeks of instruction camps where I'll be riding towards my limit, so if I really should replace it, I will just have to suck it up and do it.

A snowHead

If it took a good knock, I think you are supposed to replace it.

I spent 30 years skiing in a woolly hat, so I personally would continue to use it, if there was no visible damage - but that is not necessarily my advice to you. I think this has to be your decision, as it is your risk.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

The manufacturer will recommend that you replace it.

If I replaced my helmet every time I bumped my head, I'd be bankrupt! I've had similar bumps to the one you describe (some years ago, I don't tend to knock it much any more) and am still using the helmet. I should probably replace it due to age, but I reckon it can see out the rest of the season.

But it's your head and your cash; only you can decide.

You need to Login to know who's really who.

Any damage to the foam in the liner

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

None that I can see or feel.

You'll need to Register first of course.

@karansaraf, I have had similar heel edge slams. Checked helmet as you have and carried on using it.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

I've had a few head crashes with my helmet. Didn't see any damage, and continued using it. But it's just me.

After all it is free

One of the reasons I switched to buying my kids helmets is the state of those which they were give in Les Deux Alpes - the number of dents and knocks etc they were not going to protect their heads but did “tick the box” for the requirement of kids.

Following years in hire places I observed similar and watched staff happily pick up a helmets which had fallen approx 7’ off a high shelf where they dumped them.

Choice is yours but obviously there is a risk.

@karansaraf, if it was a hard enough impact to leave you with a headache then IMO the helmet has done its job and probably needs replacing (you probably wouldn't be asking if you didn't feel the same too!).

Which brand is it? Many offer a steep discount on replacements after a crash - I believe Sweet is -40% for example.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Stream of consciousness... I had a minor tumble off a bike and crunched my head. No visible damage to the helmet, but it felt like a solid enough blow. Based on conventional wisdom, I went back to the shop and they said replace it. Best bit: since it was less than a year old, I got a free changeover. That was from Bontrager.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

This is relevant for complex motorbike helmets designed to hit tarmac at 100mph, with complex honeycomb interiors. I would guess many ski helmets are not so complex, certainly the cheaper ones. Anyone able to comment?

snow reports

I wouldn't dream of replacing a helmet because it had fallen off a shelf. A helmet which couldn't withstand that would be a chocolate teapot.

You know it makes sense.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

Once again, our old friend EN-1077 rears it's head. Helmets can only be rated for a single impact as the vast majority are only tested for a single impact to earn its certification. Most helmets easily exceed the requirements, so would be safe to use after an incident with some basic inspection and some common sense.

A snowHead

Is it a hard shell over the (expanded polystyrene) foam inner, like a Sweet Protection helmet for example. Or a fused ‘in-mould’ thin shell together with the foam liner, like a Giro Edit helmet for example? With the latter you would easy see any deformation. With the former, the foam underneath may be plastically deformed but the outer shell may have sprung back in place.

Either way, I’d keep wearing a helmet after one knock (I’ve dropped mine loads). Unless I was looking for an excuse to buy a new one Smile

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

You need to Login to know who's really who.

Would not bother replacing but if you do decide contact the manufacturer who often provide crash replacements at a discount. Helmets suffer a lot of knocks especially if placed in a ski bag in hold luggage when flying. I now always carry mine as hand luggage since my outer shell was cracked while in hold luggage in my overloaded ski bag.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

You'll need to Register first of course.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Help!!

Replacing helmet after single impact (with no visible damage)?

snowHeads Forum Index >>> The Piste