Does wearing a helmet do any good? - Page 3

+1

Do you do Sugar Bowl? I've hit Kirkwood, Heavenly, Squaw and Boreal. Alpine Meadows and SB are on my list next.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr5150 

Wow! Can you give me a list of the resorts you frequent. I never want to go to those places.

 

With that said, I invite you to visit Sierra resorts. Smashed faces are not something you see here on a regular basis. You ski scary places IMO.

 

 

So I heard a rumor today that life long helmet opponent Lady Salina had to wear a hard hat while teaching this season and now wants Old Boot to get one.  Hopefully they will be able to find a large maple leaf decal for the front if OB's new hat.  I gotta admit I was hating my helmet today.  It was over 60 degrees, and  I was pulling around a 45 pound beginner kid all day.  Yes, I had the vents open, still miserable, but I have to wear one or I can't really expect my kids to.

It is interesting to see that when you write about skier collisions so many say that collisions are not common.  But when you talk about helmets, there are alot of stories about heads hitting things.

Which is it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

So I heard a rumor today that life long helmet opponent Lady Salina had to wear a hard hat while teaching this season and now wants Old Boot to get one.  Hopefully they will be able to find a large maple leaf decal for the front if OB's new hat.  I gotta admit I was hating my helmet today.  It was over 60 degrees, and  I was pulling around a 45 pound beginner kid all day.  Yes, I had the vents open, still miserable, but I have to wear one or I can't really expect my kids to.

I'll work on the decal. I can bring it to the gathering with me. 
 

My friend fell and sufferet temporary memory loss without a helmet. Afterwards I went an bought a helmet. Then a year later I fell and suffered a moderate concussion WITH a helmet on. I'm pretty sure the damages would have been much more severe if i were not wearing a helmet. 

My helmet came in handy last Friday when I took a spill at a moderate speed, not flying, but moving along pretty good.  Had someone turn in front of me and my left ski clipped the tails of their skis, I lifted the ski, got off balance, spun around, popped a ski, went flying, and landed on my back with my head whiplashing into the downslope.  For a split second I thought I could recover, but then quickly realized I was going down like a Bangkok whore.  I had the precense of mind to drop the poles, grab my helmet with both hands, and prepare for impact.  Only damage was to the goggle keeper on the back of the helmet, the crash and slide tore it loose from the helmet.  Without the helmet I'd probably of had a sore head, maybe a rung bell, as it was I hopped up, apoligized to the person whose skis I had clipped and went on my way.  In hindsight I should have given the person, an obvious beginner a wider berth. 

If heat is an issue (which I agree it is, b/c even at mid-30s temps I am sweating with vents open), then you can wear a skateboard helmet, or bike helmet.... or just take off ear pads of you helmet.  Yeah, you're darn right you'll be "that guy," looking fairly ridiculous, but the protection will be there from a helmet designed to keep you cool at 90s+ temps!  If you do wear bike/skateboard helmet, prolly best to avoid goggles (just wear shades).

Upon further thought, I'd actually never wear a bike helmet skiing... I would, however, in 55+ temps take off earpads from my Giro G10 and see how that worked.  IMO the vents don't do much as temps climb.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoredAtBMBW 

Upon further thought, I'd actually never wear a bike helmet skiing...

Fair enough.   Would you wear a climbing helmet like a Grivel Air Tech frex?

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Originally Posted by comprex 

Fair enough.   Would you wear a climbing helmet like a Grivel Air Tech frex?

Probably, or I'd find some suitable helmet... some people here have made reference to skiing in 90-degree sun.  In that situation, I'd defnitely wear a summer helmet.  My Giro is so warm I really can't leave it on in the lodge (whereas a knit cap I probably could) 

A side note:  I'm not sure how the snow could be skiable in such weather.... wouldn't there be slush-trains, mini-rivers, and "quick sand" circles everywhere?  Although I don't like it, I can understand how corn/loose granular could be skiable and fun... but at 90 degrees inevitably liquid H2O is going to be coming into play.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richie-Rich 

I was thinking about just such a scenario yesterday.  I was thinking of skiing this weekend and with temps hovering around 60 I was thinking just how well I would deal with my full face helmet under these conditions.   Would I be a hypocrite and just take it off...hmm...well there certainly is no ice to crack my skull on, but there are still the "colliders".  

 

Turns out I wont get to make that taxing decision, but the cold returns this week so I will be alright.

I've got a older giro nine with removable ear flaps and loads of ventilation I keep around for the spring.

Fortunately for us, it was 26 and powder again this weekend, the forecast keeps it snowing through the next 2 weeks. Maybe spring will come in May like last year.

If you're not wearing a helmet I suggest re-thinking that while you still can think.

1. Three years a go one of the best skiers that I know took a bad fall in a NASTAR run and hit his head. He had a helmet on and it still jarred him so bad that he had to take a year off. He obviously suffered a concussion but if not for the helmet he'd probably be a vegetable.

2. Two years ago I took a bad fall free skiing in edge junk and broke the ear tab on my Giro race helmet. I still have my ear. But I bought a Marker helmet to replace the Giro.

3. A few weeks back one of our best junior racers hooked a tip in a SL course and went into the woods full speed. She hit her head on a rock and destroyed her helmet. She got out with a 12" gash on her leg but her brains still intact.

+1 

New Lids on Kids videos

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southern Man 

If you're not wearing a helmet I suggest re-thinking that while you still can think.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost 

It doesn't fit in my boot bag.  I have to carry skis poles and boots, and now a helmet too!

 

There are inexpensive durable boot bags available with helmet pockets, like these that we've been using for several years:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SKI-BOOT-BAG-HELMET-PACK-RED-/350443727040?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519812e8c0 
 

BTW, I have no relation to this company or seller, except having bought six (6) of these bags for me and my extended family several years ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeshoto 

It is interesting to see that when you write about skier collisions so many say that collisions are not common.  But when you talk about helmets, there are alot of stories about heads hitting things.

 

Which is it?

Both.

Serious accidents are rare if you look at the number of collisions/accidents versus the number of skier days per year.  Skiing, by many statistical measures, is much safer than other sports, and you're far more likely to be hurt or killed driving to the mountain than on it.  If you took a random poll of skiers and riders, the vast majority of them would never have been in a serious accident.

But when you have a discussion like this, the sampling of people who post is not random.  Someone who got in a serious accident or knows someone who did is much, much more likely to post than the many people who didn't.  This creates a self-selection bias that makes it sound like accidents are much more common than they really are sometimes.  (This is also why negative commentary about things seems so prevalent online -- the happy people aren't motivated enough to post about it.)

interesting question that won't get full agreement. Personally, I'm like you. My helmet has saved me from some nasty bumps from lift bars, branches and skis being carried by others. I know a couple of guys who claim their helmets have saved them from much worse (the size of the yellow streak from the aspen tree is evidence). I also know a guy who had such bad internal injuries from his chest hitting a tree that the helmet really didn't come into play.

Personal preference. I feel better that my kids wear them (especially my daughter who bashes gates). As a bonus, they get to display stickers from places we have visited, proving that I'm a super cool dad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHRISfromRI 

 

There are inexpensive durable boot bags available with helmet pockets, like these that we've been using for several years:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/SKI-BOOT-BAG-HELMET-PACK-RED-/350443727040?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519812e8c0 
 

BTW, I have no relation to this company or seller, except having bought six (6) of these bags for me and my extended family several years ago.

Mine is similar to this one, Technica brand.  Helmet fits right in the middle and loose stuff like neck gators, spare gloves,e tc goes in there too.

Nice helmet thread.

So yes, I've had at least two occsions where I caught an edge and slammed backwards onto my head.

First one was a couple years ago, slammed into hard ice. Luckily I had the Ovo on. Very strong carbon fiber exterior on that one, totally absorbed the impact.

Other one was last Sunday. Doing spins on snow, slammed back of the head again. At least the crappy smith variant absorbed some of it.

I've got dents in it from other collisions I don't even remember.

I agree with your assesment: Ski helmets are built like garbage. Price doesn't even matter all that much. They're made to be light.

But, I recommend the padded hat as a place to start. It's a hat, but it's padded so it has that extra protection. Plus, you're still wearing a hat. The not best of bothe worlds, but pretty good.

Studies yet to be done will show it's safer. Yes, this one you can wear in the shower too.

Here's one for paintball:
 

http://hundredthmonkeypaintball.com/index.php?pg=store&pr=cap&col=blue

Or, if you prefer one with a mullet and integrated face protection.

Technically, this is a hat, but really have we approached the helmet stage here?

http://hundredthmonkeypaintball.com/index.php?pg=store&pr=mullet&col=desert

I remember when RR was such a well manured guy. He would have never thought of restarting the Helm thread. He use to post on what are we drinking now and, what do you think about helping seniors onto the chair lift threads.

You know the nice piloit guy from down the road.

See what a few seasons here will do????? it will corrupt the the well natured good people of the world!!!

RIGHT ON RR WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE!!!

I gots ta' axe? 

Hey Richie, are you still wearing that neck-snapper slick mo-cy helmut.

Like I had time to .. and this is still ... nah? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

Mine is similar to this one, Technica brand.  Helmet fits right in the middle and loose stuff like neck gators, spare gloves,e tc goes in there too.

 

 

Ya but what do you do with your boots now?????Looks too big to go on the over head in the plane

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogophers 
As a bonus, they get to display stickers from places we have visited, proving that I'm a super cool dad.

 

I read the adhesives on some stickers can damage the structural integrity of the plastic shell of helmets, making them brittle.  But not sure if that is some serious hyped-up legal chatter from the helmet companies, or if it actually is true.

If you didn't know, just giving you the heads up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoredAtBMBW 

I read the adhesives on some stickers can damage the structural integrity of the plastic shell of helmets, making them brittle.  But not sure if that is some serious hyped-up legal chatter from the helmet companies, or if it actually is true.

 

If you didn't know, just giving you the heads up.

Naw its hyped up police propaganda, it applies to bikers pulled over for having stickers on their helmets so they can't ride away!!

You have ruined the integrity of the DOT approved  or SNELL approved helm sir!!! You will have to walk to get a new helmet before you can ride away, oh ya here's a ticket to remind you.

And thats why I don't wear a helmet when im out skiing next thing you iknow they will have to be snell approved and if I scratch it or put a sticker on it I will have to walk down the hill!!!
 

I would have thought the helmet company would tell you to remove all stickers if that was the case.  All it takes is one deep pockets lawyer.

When I was doing aircraft spray painting back in the 60's during the "other war", there was a lot of talk about the solvents screwing up the helmets.  But guys would come in and we would just hit them with primer and then send another "Captain America" on his way.  Yeah, Easy Rider kept me busy.  Don't give me crud about "the public's nickle", at $100 a month and 16 hours a day, can it.

Addressing Richie's original question: yes, a helmet has prevented serious head injury for me many times.

In alpine racing, helmets prevented concussions during crashes (including hitting icy pistes, hitting gate bases, hitting fencing supports, etc.).

In free skiing, the protection from tree limbs is worth a mention.

And back in 2000, my Briko Windshape very likely saved me from a stay in the ICU.  I crashed going around 35 mph, hitting the ground so quickly that I can't remember a span of about 10 minutes after it happened.  I had facial abrasions due to both snow contact and a shattered goggle lens that sliced-and-diced under my left nostril (the gash bled a bit and had to be Dermabonded).  The front side of the helmet had its EPS foam liner cracked and crushed.  The hard shell stayed intact.

These days, for gate racing I still wear Briko lids, and for general freeskiing I wear a Giro.  For mouth protection (i.e. "protecting my pearly whites"), I have a mouthguard that I wear when skiing solo (had my dentist make one for me), though I'm not always the best about putting it in (I'm an open-mouth skier, so I sometimes fear losing it).  I've not worn a full-face skiing helmet in some time, and I can't say that I miss them (but you know my thoughts on that, Richie, form previous conversations on the matter).

As for liability and decals, it's really a non-issue: the majority of decals will not void a helmet's warranty, even if the manufacturer states the opposite.  Painting can, due to the solvents present in many paint formulae.

This is my 28th year skiing. Never had a head injury, never was really sold on needing a helmet.  THIS IS BEFORE I FOUND OUT HOW MUCH NEUROLOGICAL DAMAGE SUCKS.

2 years ago, riding a Vespa on a warm day in January, I hit a patch of sand in a turn doing about 15 mph. I have no recollection of the accident, but an eyewitness said that the front wheel went sideways, they when it hit clean pavement, it bucked me over the handlebars head first into the curb.

Moderate to severe concussion/subdural hemotoma (sp.) It was 3-4 months before I felt even close to right. Headache, dizzy disoriented, poor short term memory, poor motor skills, etc. Doctors say that I would be dead with my skull caved in if I was not wearing a full face helmet.

Since then:

1. I now have chronic migraines that started about 8 months after the concussion. Spend 3 months out of work because I had the same migraine for that whole period that was totally unaffected by meds. Lost 50 lbs, mainly because I couldn't make it out of bed to feed myself and was constantly puking.

2. I have had several siezures. Not fun to wake up on the ground and have no idea what has happened or how long you have been there.

3. Random bouts of dizziness and confusion. I have a headache pretty much all the time, migraines several times a week. This is pretty much my life now.

Note that I have had 3 brain MRI's since the accident, and none show any visible problems. In many ways, my symptoms aren't really considered severe.

YOU DON'T WANT A PREVENTABLE BRAIN INJURY. PEOPLE DIE EVERY YEAR FROM SKIING RELATED BRAIN INJURIES.

Furthermore, in addition to being safer, helmets are great music delivery devices, nice, warm and comfortable. 

You don't think it will be you until it is. Be safe and wear a helmet. 

Wear the bucket.  

Tree Skiing avoiding  a Sonny Bono make a helmet necessary IMO - not to mention the twigs/branch bits pulled out of clothing that could end up in an ear or under the scalp.

For $50-100 it is a no brainer.

Helmets are a solid addition to the sport.

1.  In the trees those annoying little branches can't pull your helmet off the way they used to snag your beanie.

2.  When going through light branches in the trees you can kinda lead with your head (i suggest looking down a bit though), instead of desperately trying to avoid taking a couple thorny stick shots to your noggin like before (also you probably just lost your hat too- See No. 1).

3.  Some have speakers, which I find simultaneously bat-shit dangerous and really exhilarating.

4.  They stay dry.  Forgetting to dry out your hat and having to ski wet always sucked. 

5.  Stickers? I guess?

6.  concussions.