 Poster: A snowHead
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| JDL65 wrote: |
Helmets provide protection in whiplash type falls - I have skied across 6 decades and with 5 seasons, must be up to 200+ weeks. I know there have been times when my lid, which I started wearing when my son was 5 (so 16 years ago), has prevented me from having at best a very sore head - be it from hitting a frozen death cookie, to just losing concentration.
Likewise riding my bike, I have split 2 helmets that without wearing would have resulted in prolonged hospital stays.
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I try and avoid these debates because entrenched opinions dont change and IMV its simple - wear one, dont wear one, its personal choice and yours is entirely valid.
However its useful to understand that the helmets you wore, which split in a tumble, are actually designed to crack / split / whatever - in the same way as modern cars appear to crumple badly in frontal impacts.
Its all about distributing the shock of the impact, and these items split far more readily than your skull would.
It gets wearing having to explain to people who use the "that would have been my head splitting" trope that a plastic helmet is really not identical to your skull - and correlation of a split helmet with "prolonged hospital stays" is unhelpful.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Im surprised anyone would doubt the usefulness of a helmet in a sport like skiing.
Its at quite high speed , with potential for impacts on hard surfaces.
That someone has skied for 30 years without feeling the need for one isnt really relevant. Most seem to be wearing them anyway so its pretty much a moot point except for diehards really Id say.
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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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No Greenday, I know that the force of those 2 impacts would have meant hospital stays, and I also know that helmets are designed to absorb and distribute the impact, and that once you have crashed in one, you need to replace it. Thankfully the likes of Kask offer a crash replacement offer.
A superficial split to the skull is not the same as your brain smashing around the inside of your skull either.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| tangowaggon wrote: |
| James the Last wrote: |
| pjkais2003 wrote: |
Hmmm cant imagine going skiing without a helmet just makes sense to me, I see schumacher being mentioned, He was indeed wearing a helmet and its beleived it saved his life.
It aslo keeps my ears warm  |
It didn’t save Schumacher’s life. It put him into a living hell - for his family at least, even if not him. |
++1 the Schumacher case is a perfect reason to NOT wear a helmet, for me, being dead is far better than being like Schumacher, the helmet probably commuted his injuries from death to significant brain damage, HOWEVER! a helmet could also commute significant brain damage to a recoverable injury.
This is my 40th year on skis, 100+ weeks of skiing, zero injuries that would have been prevented by a helmet, 100+ weeks of skiing that were far more enjoyable without a helmet, a mild neck injury that would have been worse with a helmet and countless near misses that weren't hits because I wasn't wearing a helmet. 
I know that I have been lucky (or careful/aware of hazards) but even skiing with any type hat on is horrible on all but the coldest of days. |
Is this true? My understanding is that it was the gopro mount on top of his helmet that resulted in his brain injury and not the helmet itself.
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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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| JDL65 wrote: |
No Greenday, I know that the force of those 2 impacts would have meant hospital stays, and I also know that helmets are designed to absorb and distribute the impact, and that once you have crashed in one, you need to replace it. Thankfully the likes of Kask offer a crash replacement offer.
A superficial split to the skull is not the same as your brain smashing around the inside of your skull either. |
How can you possibly know this bit in bold?
As for that final sentence, I am unclear who suggested it was......................
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@alex_heney, it isn't about me hitting things, it's about people hitting me, there are many helmets that I have tried on that cover the ears and significantly attenuate hearing, in my opinion, these helmets are unfit for purpose as a ski helmet as I have always found that good hearing is more essential on the slopes than wearing a helmet.
Hearing the sounds of a falling skier and being able to take evasive action, hearing the sound of a fast approaching skier & knowing to keep my line predictable etc etc if I'm for ed to wear a helmet some day, it will certainly be one that doesn't cover the ears.
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| tangowaggon wrote: |
@alex_heney, it isn't about me hitting things, it's about people hitting me, there are many helmets that I have tried on that cover the ears and significantly attenuate hearing, in my opinion, these helmets are unfit for purpose as a ski helmet as I have always found that good hearing is more essential on the slopes than wearing a helmet.
Hearing the sounds of a falling skier and being able to take evasive action, hearing the sound of a fast approaching skier & knowing to keep my line predictable etc etc if I'm for ed to wear a helmet some day, it will certainly be one that doesn't cover the ears. |
Yes, my helmets (cycling and skiing) don't cover the ears, and I agree one that did would not be fit for purpose. I have seen helmets which did, but the ear covers were detachable.
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I do actually get the idea of people getting too hot with a helmet and I think is as close to a valid reason for not wearing one as I can see. What I do wonder though is the logic of those people buying a cheapo helmet and then being surprised that it's heavy and has crap ventilation. If there are going to be more resorts enforcing helmet wearing, doesn't it make sense to take the time to get one that is comfortable and airy?
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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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@alex_heney, of the 3 or 4 ski helmets I've owned all have had detachable ear pieces, yet still it's something people love to point to as a reason for not wearing one 
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| pjkais2003 wrote: |
Im surprised anyone would doubt the usefulness of a helmet in a sport like skiing.
Its at quite high speed , with potential for impacts on hard surfaces.
That someone has skied for 30 years without feeling the need for one isnt really relevant. Most seem to be wearing them anyway so its pretty much a moot point except for diehards really Id say. |
If you hit something hard at high speed, a helmet isn't going to do much to protect you.
But even though you are traveling at high speed, the vast majority of impacts are glancing blows, where a helmet will protect you enough to at least reduce the damage.
Hit something solid perpendicular to your main direction of travel, a lightweight helmet will provide very little protection. But fall onto something like a road or hardpacked snow, where it is parallel to your main direction of travel, and all the helmet has to do is protect against the element caused by you falling at most about 2m. Your forward momentum will disspate more gradually as you slide to a stop (minus some skin if it is a road surface or similar when cycling).
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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The hearing thing is just one of many reasons to not wear a helmet, the way I ski and the places I choose to ski, mean that I'm actually very unlikely to be hit by another skier.
The argument about "well ventilated " helmets is just b0ll0x, they might be slightly better than others, but theyre still like skiing with my head in a sauna (I detest saunas)
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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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Debates on helmet use have been had for many many years. I don't think there has been anything of significance that could be said or any any opinion proffered that hasn't been made countless times already.
The USP of this thread is the decision by the Italian authorities to make it compulsory. And I detect that even amongst helmet wearers there is a significant proportion that doesn't believe it should be. But it's been done and laws/edicts like this are rarely undone.
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@tangowaggon, my point wasn't at a better ventilated helmet is going to make you want to wear one, but if you HAVE to wear one, doesn't it make sense to get the lights and best ventilated you can to reduce the impact it has on your enjoyment?
As nice, the hearing thing isn't a reason as there are more than enough helmets which have no impact on hearing at all so it's irrelevant. To my mind it's the equivalent of complaining that they're all too small
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You know it makes sense.
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The "they're too hot" argument fails when you consider there's a simple solution... adjust your clothing like the rest of us. And dont give me the "I run hot" cr4p either; Again adjust your clothing choice.
You'll be telling us layering and wicking base layers are overrated and sweat/freeze cycle is you're preferred method, then it turns out you think cotton t-shirts are the best.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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When skiing in Italy post Covid the ski lift operators would check everyone was wearing a mask and wouldn’t let them on the lifts without one. I had to pull my snood down to show I was wearing one.
A friend of mine used to be head of an intensive care unit in London. They used to get a lot of mountain bikers in who were wearing helmets. In almost all cases the helmets helped to reduce injury, although sadly not always or not enough to prevent a fatality.
Personally the helmet issue won’t affect me. I’m not that good a skier and I’m bald so I always wear a helmet. On the flip side years of playing judo (also not very well) means I’m quite good at landing on the floor quite forcefully.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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What about us snowboarders with brains in our feet.
Do step on require a leash?
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| IainMcT wrote: |
A friend of mine used to be head of an intensive care unit in London. They used to get a lot of mountain bikers in who were wearing helmets. In almost all cases the helmets helped to reduce injury, although sadly not always or not enough to prevent a fatality.
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You average ski helmet is not going to protect your nogging the same way a crash helmet would. Equally, a crash helmet is not going to take the load of dings a ski helmet woud.
There will always be cases of the wrong type of injury when wearing the correct helmet. Berns used to have a really good write up about the different type of tech, protection, etc. for their helmet linings. Even when the outer shell looked the same, the protection could be very different. So you may want EPS for snow, MIPS or biking, etc. but also a proper fitting helmet.
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@SnoodyMcFlude, I reckon you are referring to me with your why buy a cheapo. Apologies if not.
My reasons are as follows:
1. I’d never tried on a helmet before Italy said I had to wear one after I had booked my trip.
2. I followed all the advice here not to buy one before trying it.
3. I went to see a show in aberdeen In October. Trawled round all the snow sports shops, but none of them had any new season stock in. Just extra small or extra large or extra expensive left overs from last season.
4. With no snow sports shops left in my hometown I knew, if I didn’t buy one then, I’d be forced into a 100mile round trip to Aviemore in the next two months.
5. I’m now aware I bought a dud, it was cheap and the ear bits aren’t detachable.
6. It is what it is, it’s a poo-poo helmet that I expected to be poo-poo. Still runs hot tho’ 
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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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@dode, From my experience ( my head runs hot), a POC helmet would probably suit you, though watch out for Chinese fakes. There's alot about. Detachable ear bits and really good venting. I also really like my current helmet, a K2. The magnetic chin strap buckle takes a little getting used to ( hard at first to have faith it's secured) but once you are it's really good. Also very good venting if you need it, but waterproof and warm if you need that.
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@thecramps, cheers. I will buy a decent one, because:
1. Italy is my wife and I’s destination of choice.
2. The helmet I have is… meh
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@dode, As long as 62cm is your helmet size, you can borrow mine, as long as I get it back in March. I won't need it till then. Happy to post it.
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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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It would at least give you a decent road test.
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They're probably not rated to the same standards, but potentially a climbing helmet has better airflow. Not sure if it ticks the box of a particularly officious liftie applying the rules but could be worth a look as they appear more like ski helmets than a cycling one would.
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FAQ
