DE Helmet rules, I'm looking to further the rules for safety
02-15-2013, 02:11 PM
#31
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From Snell directly:
Why should you replace your helmet every five years?
The five-year replacement recommendation is based on a consensus by both helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production can affect liner materials. Hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics, as well as normal "wear and tear" all contribute to helmet degradation. Petroleum based products present in cleaners, paints, fuels and other commonly encountered materials may also degrade materials used in many helmets possibly degrading performance. Additionally, experience indicates there will be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five-year period due to advances in materials, designs, production methods and the standards. Thus, the recommendation for five-year helmet replacement is a judgment call stemming from a prudent safety philosophy.
The five-year replacement recommendation is based on a consensus by both helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production can affect liner materials. Hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics, as well as normal "wear and tear" all contribute to helmet degradation. Petroleum based products present in cleaners, paints, fuels and other commonly encountered materials may also degrade materials used in many helmets possibly degrading performance. Additionally, experience indicates there will be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five-year period due to advances in materials, designs, production methods and the standards. Thus, the recommendation for five-year helmet replacement is a judgment call stemming from a prudent safety philosophy.
02-15-2013, 02:20 PM
#32
Scott,
Closed head injuries are among the most common presentations to ER in north america. In my particular practice catchment area I unfortunately know an awful lot about head injuries and injury mechanisms, and have lectured on them. I've also been on the world cup (skiing) as a doc for years, where, as you might imagine, head injuries and helmet design are a constant preoccupation. Lastly, I have specific insight and knowledge into helmet design re. relationship with one of the manufacturers.
I'm happy to answer any questions you might have, but i'm currently buying flowers for you. Sorry I'm a day late.
Closed head injuries are among the most common presentations to ER in north america. In my particular practice catchment area I unfortunately know an awful lot about head injuries and injury mechanisms, and have lectured on them. I've also been on the world cup (skiing) as a doc for years, where, as you might imagine, head injuries and helmet design are a constant preoccupation. Lastly, I have specific insight and knowledge into helmet design re. relationship with one of the manufacturers.
I'm happy to answer any questions you might have, but i'm currently buying flowers for you. Sorry I'm a day late.
Helmet design and materials get better over time.
There are crashes where a helmet does not matter. You are dead no matter what because the helmet could not mitigate the forces applied to the head enough to make a difference. There are also accidents where the helmet does matter. It's these accident that make the difference and why we have helmet standards in the first place.
Based on your logic, a helmet from 1990 is just as good as a helmet from 2010. That makes no sense. As the EPS loses it effectiveness, impacts from less sever crashes become more and more dangerous to the head inside the helmet.
Scott
02-15-2013, 02:20 PM
#33
Three Wheelin'
Because they have no interest in selling new helmets. All flippantness aside, I believe that if you're wearing every day than that's probably prudent but if you're using it ten times a year and you wear a head sock then I think it's overkill.
02-15-2013, 02:45 PM
#34
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MORPCA makes helmets mandatory for blue and yellow and all first timers...
02-15-2013, 03:19 PM
#35
Drifting
Thread Starter
I contacted PCA National and they said since we are at their min standards we are good. But i want to add this to the rules and regulations.
We are NOT responsible for helmets that have been in incidents previous to our events. If you have had an incident in which your helmet has been involved and have not made it clear to us with a written and signed statement we CANNOT be held responsible. Any incident that occurs at our event involving your helmet needs to be brought to our attention immediately, failure to comply with this regulation will get your *** kicked out of our event, Bitches. So there. We reserve the right to refuse any helmet we deem unsafe, even if it meets the minimum standards.
Maybe the bitches part is too much.....
We are NOT responsible for helmets that have been in incidents previous to our events. If you have had an incident in which your helmet has been involved and have not made it clear to us with a written and signed statement we CANNOT be held responsible. Any incident that occurs at our event involving your helmet needs to be brought to our attention immediately, failure to comply with this regulation will get your *** kicked out of our event, Bitches. So there. We reserve the right to refuse any helmet we deem unsafe, even if it meets the minimum standards.
Maybe the bitches part is too much.....
02-15-2013, 03:44 PM
#36
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Well, Snell doesn't really have any interest in selling helmets, but if you think it's a ploy to get you to buy a new helmet every 10 years, then good luck.
02-15-2013, 04:08 PM
#37
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I contacted PCA National and they said since we are at their min standards we are good. But i want to add this to the rules and regulations.
We are NOT responsible for helmets that have been in incidents previous to our events. If you have had an incident in which your helmet has been involved and have not made it clear to us with a written and signed statement we CANNOT be held responsible. Any incident that occurs at our event involving your helmet needs to be brought to our attention immediately, failure to comply with this regulation will get your *** kicked out of our event, Bitches. So there. We reserve the right to refuse any helmet we deem unsafe, even if it meets the minimum standards.
Maybe the bitches part is too much.....
We are NOT responsible for helmets that have been in incidents previous to our events. If you have had an incident in which your helmet has been involved and have not made it clear to us with a written and signed statement we CANNOT be held responsible. Any incident that occurs at our event involving your helmet needs to be brought to our attention immediately, failure to comply with this regulation will get your *** kicked out of our event, Bitches. So there. We reserve the right to refuse any helmet we deem unsafe, even if it meets the minimum standards.
Maybe the bitches part is too much.....
02-15-2013, 04:11 PM
#38
Drifting
Pls Delete
Last edited by txhokie4life; 02-15-2013 at 05:11 PM.
02-15-2013, 04:14 PM
#39
Drifting
Ironically -- this was the second time we've been t-boned in the drivers door.
I'm sure there are worse incidents folks have been involved in -- but
the point is you never know what's going to happen in a HPDE
or other on track event. Why take a chance.
FWIW, we pulled out the bumper, pried the door skin back off the roll bar,
climbed in and finished the race -- 15th out of ~60.
Mike
02-15-2013, 04:26 PM
#41
Drifting
Thread Starter
So that'll just buff out, right?
Do you think it was safe to drive the car after an incident like that? Did you inspect the cage welds for issues before going back out?
Do you think it was safe to drive the car after an incident like that? Did you inspect the cage welds for issues before going back out?
02-15-2013, 05:07 PM
#43
Drifting
My butt was the one first back in.
Not only did I climb around and inspect
the cage, I strapped in and did two exit drills to make sure that
I could indeed get out of the window without snagging myself on anything
and that I could indeed fit with all my gear and hans on.
24 hours endurance race -- 10 extra minutes was nothing to worry about.
Was very glad how well the cage was constructed, probably saves the
drivers leg as the bumper deflected off the cage bar (you can see the mark).
Mike
02-15-2013, 05:11 PM
#44
Drifting
02-15-2013, 05:41 PM
#45
Rennlist Member
Then you know that what you are saying does not make sense.
Helmet design and materials get better over time.
There are crashes where a helmet does not matter. You are dead no matter what because the helmet could not mitigate the forces applied to the head enough to make a difference. There are also accidents where the helmet does matter. It's these accident that make the difference and why we have helmet standards in the first place.
Based on your logic, a helmet from 1990 is just as good as a helmet from 2010. That makes no sense. As the EPS loses it effectiveness, impacts from less sever crashes become more and more dangerous to the head inside the helmet.
Scott
Helmet design and materials get better over time.
There are crashes where a helmet does not matter. You are dead no matter what because the helmet could not mitigate the forces applied to the head enough to make a difference. There are also accidents where the helmet does matter. It's these accident that make the difference and why we have helmet standards in the first place.
Based on your logic, a helmet from 1990 is just as good as a helmet from 2010. That makes no sense. As the EPS loses it effectiveness, impacts from less sever crashes become more and more dangerous to the head inside the helmet.
Scott