Should we wear helmets?

[tony t]

Originally Posted by kerny

Probably a good idea... no point in only having half the gear for rough weather... "just saying like hey t t".... http://cdn.rib.net/forum/attachment....6&d=1388338245

Well you wouldn't know would you I'd say Humber P gets out more often then you lately ... Just saying like Sent from my iPad using Rib.net

[kerny]

Originally Posted by tony t

Well you wouldn't know would you I'd say Humber P gets out more often then you lately ... Just saying like Sent from my iPad using Rib.net

Thats just midgitgating circumstances s Happy New Year

[jambo]

Originally Posted by kerny

Thats just midgitgating circumstances s Happy New Year

Your probably a safer driver Steve. Don't mind him he's jealous!!

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by 250kts

The increased weight of a helmet, can only add to the likelihood of whiplash injuries.
In high speed sports where they are worn (motor racing/offshore power boating), additional neck bracing is also worn. All this must be specifically fitted to the individual, any generic kit, not adjusted correctly will create more problems than it is intended to cure.
Steve

I have never seen anyone wear a hans device in a raceboat and I get around!

[Steve_B]

Cookee I was not specifically talking about a Hans Device, more generic neck brace/padding, such as this. I even wear one when racing karts.
My point being that the wearing of helmets on open boats is overkill as a legal requirement
Steve

[Trimix]

What happens if you do fall out of your boat while wearing a helmet - it must make swimming harder ?

It always seems that those promoting more safety have little grasp of the real risks and are unwilling to allow individuals to take responsibility themselves.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Trimix

What happens if you do fall out of your boat while wearing a helmet - it must make swimming harder ?

I assume you've never tried to swim in a fully inflated lifejacket and waterproofs / dry suit? you're not going anywhere anyway.

[Trimix]

No, not in waterproofs and inflated lifjacket

I have done lots of swimming in a dry suit, being a diver. Ive often done a long surface swims in full kit wearing a dry suit. But I always do it on my back, not fully inflated and wearing fins. Without fins Id do it on my back but use my arms instead. Its slow and hard, but you can move.

I suppose without tying it out most people would not think to deflate and try a different position to swim in.

If I was going to do a long trip in difficult conditions Id consider doing it in a dry suit, not water proofs, just so I could swim if I did go in. I might try it at some point.

[PeterM]

Interesting debate ....

I think there is more than one type/ style/ design of helmet to suit the differing needs - ie an F1 helmet is a very serious bit of design / engineering to withstand the sort of forces it may encounter - its heavy - hence the introduction of the HANS system some years back to avoid the whiplash situation when the driver is very securley strapped to his machine.

Bikes/watersports, climbing etc all have differant 'needs' and potential loads - ie you can't strap a HANS device to anything on a bike , or in a boat etc - so the solution is much like Steves pic or a much lighter helmet to reduce the whiplash situation.

Its a trade off between added weight swinging about and spreading the force of an impact, to giving the 'head' greater time to decelerate etc.

As for them on boats ? Racing yes by all means - Zapcats - yes why not ( I think there may be more whiplash type problems as a result ? )

Normal ' stuff' on a RIB - personal choice seems to work .

[biffer]

I don't like wearing a helmet, I can hear the sounds of the engines, it's like driving a boat with your fingers in your ears, can't hear bilge pumps running, engines knocking, nothing

[gtb]

Originally Posted by 250kts

The increased weight of a helmet, can only add to the likelihood of whiplash injuries.
In high speed sports where they are worn (motor racing/offshore power boating), additional neck bracing is also worn. All this must be specifically fitted to the individual, any generic kit, not adjusted correctly will create more problems than it is intended to cure.
Steve

Originally Posted by 250kts

Cookee I was not specifically talking about a Hans Device, more generic neck brace/padding, such as this. I even wear one when racing karts.
My point being that the wearing of helmets on open boats is overkill as a legal requirement
Steve

Why would you want to create more problems for yourself?

Only teasing... I think well designed 'generic' protection is fine, and many have some form of customization, even if it is just different sizes, adjustable straps, removable pads, or inflatable bladders.

In some circumstances (i.e. rough weather) I believe the additional risk of injury from wearing a marine Gecko is much outweighed by the protection it offers from potential weather fatigue / impact injury.

[landlord]

Originally Posted by gtb

In some circumstances (i.e. rough weather) I believe the additional risk of injury from wearing a marine Gecko is much outweighed by the protection it offers from potential weather fatigue / impact injury.

+1

This argument has been going around for years. Every time there is an accident on a yacht caused by an accidental jibe causing a head injury the RYA / Health and safety / press bring out the old arguments about head protection.

The wearing of helmets will probably stay choice rather than become compulsory whilst most of us are still able to enjoy being on the water

[Trimix]

Our heads do actually have a built in helment - its called the skull

No helmet will stop the brain injury inside your head, unless its about a meter in diameter !

[JamesF]

Call me fussy, but I'd rather break the sort of helmet that'll allow me to buy a replacement.

With the rest of the appropriate kit, a well-insulated helmet should give you a little extra time in cold water, I'd have thought.

The same as most things, there's a time and a place for them.

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Trimix

Our heads do actually have a built in helment - its called the skull

No helmet will stop the brain injury inside your head, unless its about a meter in diameter !

Yes, but that implies a sudden and large acceleration/deceleration. Sometimes a helmets usefulness is in providing protection against lesser impacts than such extreme situations.
For me, the weight of a helmet for use in open RIBs is a massive factor. I also feel that many put too much emphasis on protecting the head, and not enough on protecting the neck.
However, my relatively heavy helmet did stop most of what would have surely been a fatal brain injury, but it was designed for the intended use; motorcycling

[Trimix]

Ive tried motorcycling without a helmet - I rode really slowly, so you could argue the helmet made it more risky

[simsy]

My six year old boy wears a ski helmet on my rib... (those that have seen me helm can understand why). A simple fall or an unintended jolt for timing a wave inncorrectly can make a child (or adult) loose their footing or hold and impact head on boats structure...
Not huge crash type loadings. A light weight helmet may help prevent being stitched up in hospital. Light Ski helmets are very comfy to wear also....

[GordyP]

Originally Posted by Trimix

Ive tried motorcycling without a helmet - I rode really slowly, so you could argue the helmet made it more risky

Or you could argue that if you fell off whilst stopped and banged your head on the kerb, with a helmet no problem, without it will be rather different. Used to live in the states a long time ago, there was no requirement in my state to wear a helmet and I was often ribbed for doing so. Went to the funeral of one of those who did the ribbing who may have survived had he worn a lid. I also had an off myself where I would have almost certainly snuffed it without a helmet.

Having said that, I think that there is a time and place for wearing a helmet on a rib. If you are involved in rescue it's sensible where you may be in close proximity to a vessel with tackle flying about. Otherwise can't see the point, other than some of the previous posts where people find them useful to keep the elements off.

[two stroke mick]

Two questions
1) Has any member of this form suffered an injury from wearing a proper water sport brain bucket e.g Gecko.
2) Other than mustrib who appears to be an un-lucky B**tard has anyone been saved an injury by the waring of the Brain bucket.

I wear mine for weather protection. but sometimes I feel a bit daft with it on.

TSM

[willk]

I know one member who face planted his console and smashed the visor off his Gecko. I'd imagine that it would have smarted a touch had he not been wearing the lid.