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Misconceptions about helmets (please read)

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girl_jibBer
Posts: 761 - Karma: 14
I think this past week in Vegas, I learned more about helmets and their limits. I admit that I knew nothing of helmets as do most people who buy them. There are a couple things people should know:

ASTM 24/40 standards (which all helmets must pass) is 50 years old. They came up with this standard by droping a cadaver head down an elevator shaft and figured out at which speed the head could withstand an impact before death would occur. This is 14.1 mph. The problem is that in order for any helmet made with EPS foam (Protect, Boeri etc) to work properly and absorb the energy from an impact, the foam actually has to break. A couple things: 1. the foam won't break unless the impact is 14.1 mph or faster. Those of us who have had concussions know that they can happen at lower speeds than this. 2. Once you've sustained an impact with that helmet, that helmet is no longer usuable. That means you are stuck buying another helmet.
There are some helmet companies that are out there that claim to have a multiple impact helmet. These helmets either 1. contain EPP foam, which will absorb only 60% of a second impact, 20% of a 3rd impact and is useless on a 4th. and 2. some 'multiple impact' helmets contain no more than a seat cushion used strictly for comfort.
There is one company out there that is pushing to have the helmet standards raised. They have patented 'Zorbium' foam, which is the only true multiple impact helmet out there, and it's the one that is proven to absorb up to 2x the amount of energy over a wider range of speeds.
I know I'm putting a plug in on the sponsor, but when if you really want a helmet that will do its job, make sure you research on what you are buying. I spent 2 hours in the park today and watched a dozen guys smoke their heads (either off a jump or on a rail)....that helmet is no longer good....it's as useful as carrying around an extra 6 ounces on your head for nothing. Also, don't buy a used helmet.

www.whelmets.com
The troll stole my Santa!
Feb 2 2003 7:20PM
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girl_jibBer
Posts: 761 - Karma: 14
sorry it was so long
The troll stole my Santa!
Feb 2 2003 7:22PM
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TannerBalls
Posts: 3197 - Karma: 1,310
She is so right helmets don't protect your nuts!
'Search a little longer, travel a little farther'
Feb 2 2003 7:25PM
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freeskiing04
Posts: 4454 - Karma: 10
thanks ;) thats some good info and W probably make really good helmets

freeskiing-its a way of life

representing line skis
Feb 2 2003 7:29PM
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girl_jibBer
Posts: 761 - Karma: 14
....one last thing. next year's helmet is cooler than the one on the website (more of a protec look). Look at new pics of Rex wearing them.
The troll stole my Santa!
Feb 2 2003 7:35PM
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CTripper
Posts: 6520 - Karma: 20
so wait, since i've already banged my head about 3-4 times hard with my helmet, it doesn't work now?
-Chris Peck
Feb 2 2003 9:28PM
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l_KeViN_l
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 16
you're right I didn't kno jack shit about helmets



'Don't like hesh - Don't like rap - kicked ol' sally cos she fat - I'm a jerk I'm a punk took a shower cos I stunk - smoked a bong killed a cat - had my nuts attacked by rats dad got nude - I wore a thong - for a hobby I make bombs' Tom DeLounge
Feb 2 2003 9:48PM
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Phrosty
Posts: 9956 - Karma: 18
your full of shit. w helmets are like all the others.


googoo271 - 'Oh of course we get a post from our good ignorant assfuck, phrosty'
Oh, shit I spelt something wrong? Fuck you cocksucker!
Jesusjr.com
Wasted State Represent!!
I like my boots like my women, rear entry.
Feb 2 2003 10:28PM
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Phrosty
Posts: 9956 - Karma: 18
your full of shit. w helmets are like all the others.


googoo271 - 'Oh of course we get a post from our good ignorant assfuck, phrosty'
Oh, shit I spelt something wrong? Fuck you cocksucker!
Jesusjr.com
Wasted State Represent!!
I like my boots like my women, rear entry.
Feb 2 2003 10:30PM
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Downkink
Posts: 293 - Karma: 10
wow... thanks for the info, i guess its a new helmet for me




I went from gettin C's... to see me after class -Tanner
Dance banana dance.
Feb 2 2003 11:05PM
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Capurnicus
Posts: 9947 - Karma: 1,886
why would they name it ' zorbium' if they wanted people to buy it, but i'm going to buy one next year anyways, you make a good sales person
pat____________________
p.a.t.productions.

You're dressed to kill, look who's dying.

I love Cumar Palluna.
Feb 2 2003 11:10PM
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MSPbum
Posts: 349 - Karma: 12
I have hit my head multiple times wearing a helmet, but never gotten a concussion, is the helmet still usable? I mean it seems to do just as good as it used to
--------------------------------
Proud Owner of Rossignol BC's
Feb 2 2003 11:12PM
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scratch169
Posts: 293 - Karma: 10
well fuck
Feb 2 2003 11:41PM
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UpDawg
Posts: 2373 - Karma: 11
ok you said that most helmets are supposed to break on impact, therefore leaving you 'stuck buying a new helmet.' if the fuckign helmet broke on impact, who the fuck cares if you have to buy a new one, would you rather it be your actual head and end up having to pay a huge medical bill? i dont think so
Feb 2 2003 11:48PM
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sirjibsalot
Posts: 5751 - Karma: 19
I dont think a helmet that you hit a couple times is completly usless...its still helps....it provides cusion...cause whats better? banging you head on rail? or banging your head on a rail with a previously boinked helmet? like honestly it does some use..
--->Instead of grabbin everything like a frigging gorrila, we will be borrowing our style from turtles and yanking our shirts over our heads off every jump
Feb 3 2003 12:07AM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10887 - Karma: 2,165
yeah i smacked my head on the snow this weekend. i need to wear my helmet more often




Viva la Resistance!

Storm Trooper of the Silent Army

Hold my girlfriend while I kiss your skis!
Feb 3 2003 12:21AM
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Jib_This
Posts: 8272 - Karma: 9
Seems to me that most people didn't bother reading the info that came with/is probably glued onto the inside of their helmets. It clearly states that my helmet is designed to break when I crash, and that damage may/may not be visible to the naked eye. The helmet breaks so that my head doesn't. Seems like a good trade to me. BTW W Helmets' website also tells me to get my helmet inspected by a dealer/company after a major impact, presumably so that they can tell me if I need a new one. It doesn't say anything about 'only come in if you've crashed more than once, etc etc etc'. So, seems to me that W Helmets might be just as good as the rest that are all certified to the same standards, but no better. Conclusion: Buy any ASTM approved helmet that fits you right, and replace it if you crash hard, even only once. Your brain is worth whatever you pay for a helmet.
Feb 3 2003 1:10AM
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Nik
Posts: 542 - Karma: 11
i've never worn my helmet. so i'm still safe.

DAMN GLOBAL WARMING!
Feb 3 2003 1:16AM
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girl_jibBer
Posts: 761 - Karma: 14
k...most people didn't exactly get where I was coming from. 1 major impact with a standard ASTM approved helmet, will most like result in the foam breaking. This may or may not be visible. In order get that helmet checked you must take it to a dealer, who then sends it away to be ripped apart only to be told 'yeah, your helmet was or wasn't damaged'. W Helmets (here I go selling again) use a different type of foam (which makes it different) that is tested above and beyond the ASTM standard. Remember those standards are 50+ years old. The thing about it is, unless the shell is damaged, you always know the foam is still protective because it doesn't need to break apart to work.
Also here's a quick thought....every helmet company on the market came by the W Helmet booth at some point asking if they could licence the foam out for use in their helmets. The companies know there is something better and safer out there now. In the near future you will see the standards of helmet safety testing raised. Guaranteed, the helmet on your head probably wouldn't pass.

Thats it guys...if you get anything out of this, at least wear a helmet.
The troll stole my Santa!
Feb 3 2003 9:20AM
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221
Posts: 3488 - Karma: 11
I dont think skulls have changed very much in the last 50 years. And all I can say, after suffering a major concussion, whiplash and a dislocated vertebra, that my 'outdated' helmet saved my life. Furthermore, I dont care how much 'Zygosorb' or whatever the hell you call it you put in your helmets - I'll buy a new one after a major impact. Thats a fact of life and an $80 helmet is small price to pay to prevent turning out like Corky Thatcher. the destruction of a helmet is what saves you. If your helmet doesnt break down, what absorbs the impact??? A 'traditional' helmet converts kinetic energy (your dome hitting the snow) into mechanical energy (your helmet breaking). Any 'multiple use helmet' will have a hard shell (scary) and the only protection you have is from the foam compressing, which in my opinion is NOT safe because foam compressing takes much less energy than cracking a helmet. Quit being cheap about your brain - buy a new helmet when you give your old one a good impact. F1 helmets are designed the same way. 'multiple use helmets' might be good for beginners, but not big air crashes.
Feb 3 2003 2:43PM
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Jib_This
Posts: 8272 - Karma: 9
Maybe we missed your point because you're trying to advertise your sponsor by playing on peoples fears of head injuries...
Feb 3 2003 5:08PM
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PowderPrincess
Posts: 2767 - Karma: 20
I remember reading something in skiing mag a few years ago about the 14.1 thing, stating the point as to how many crashes occur when you're hauling ass down a hill, catch an edge and fall.. chances are you're going a lot faster than 14.1 mph.
*brooke*

'pocket rocket i hope the next time you get on a chair thhe liftie smashes the back of your legs so you cant even go and be a poser anymore.'- weiner
Feb 3 2003 5:39PM
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etom
Posts: 2443 - Karma: 13
but brooke, thats direct impact on the ground at 14.1 mph, thats like from straight down. when yhou are skiing fast and you fall your hitting your head on the snow it self probably a lot less of a speed then you are going forward

~Tom
Feb 3 2003 5:59PM
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
Actually your head is probably moving just as fast or faster hitting the ground then the speed you were moving at. It only takes less then a second for your head to go from its normal height to the ground when you bail hard...your not usually running head on into something. Another misconception about helmets is with full face motocross style helmets. While they work great if your running the glades or even gates keeping your face from getting smoked, the increase your chances of neck injuries if you bail in the park or just skiing. That large thing sticking out in front of you can easily catch the snow and is the first thing to impact and often tosses your head backwards causing whiplash and other neck injuries. It may protect your pretty face a bit and make you look hardcore, but there are other consequences.

CMc
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'Son, when you participate in sporting events, its not whether you
win or loose, its how drunk you get.' - Homer

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Feb 4 2003 2:47PM
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Itsbackfliptime
Posts: 18901 - Karma: 75
they should make helmets that work like shock absorbers in cars. They would be huge but they would work really good.

My girlfriend told me to shove my skis up my ass
Feb 4 2003 5:30PM
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J-Ho
Posts: 360 - Karma: 10
Yeh helmets are pretty useless after a certain amout of speed. But they do prevent things from goin THROUGH your head which is a bonus. But hey they can still save your melon from destruction. They may look gay but they keep us alive.
Feb 4 2003 8:04PM
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Shane_McWannabe
Posts: 1694 - Karma: 73
Just wear a football helmet when you ski, alright. But ya, those W helmets with zorbium are soooo ugly, I wouldn't wear one of those, they damn ugly. Giro make the best helmets.
Feb 4 2003 8:49PM
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Freestyla_01
Posts: 8586 - Karma: 34
Here's another solution: Don't fall.

Only reason I wear a helmet is to protect noggin from rails... Or trying new shit.
I don't go all hardcore like.
Feb 4 2003 9:55PM
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