What's your HANS routine?
 

I prefer to keep my HANS attached to the helmet. I put the rig on, then climb into the car.

But other guys get in the car first, wearing the HANS only, THEN put on the helmet and attach the HANS tethers. Seems like an extra step to me...and one more thing than can go wrong. Others just get in the car, then struggle to put the entire rig on in close quarters.

Which method do you prefer...and why?

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For me it depends on what car I am entering. With my height, some do not allow me to get in with helmet and HANS already on.

I am tall, with long legs and broad at the shoulders so climbing in a caged car is already a chore. A SPB is a gymnastics exercise for me. Cant do it with the helmet on and cant do the separate the HANS and helmet thing. So I gear up in the car with the rig together. It has never been an issue for me space wise and I find that before the race group goes out i am more comfortable and gear up when they call 5 minutes. I normally am ready to go at 2 to go including getting the helmet blower connected.

Interestingly, I can get out with the rig on, which of course is necessary in an emergency. I normally do get out with it on as a way of continuously practicing the exit if you needed to as its more second nature. Normally I only take the rig off in the car if I am sent to the scales.

For DE, I will put on the HANS first, then the helmet and then get into the car. The tethers go on when staging so my head is free to move when driving around the paddock to staging.

For racing I put on the HANS, strap in and drive to false grip. I put on the helmet and tethers as I arrive at the false grid so I can check the radio and troubleshoot any problems.

Getting in/out of the car all suited up (w hans/helmet) is also a good practice/exercise for when you need to get out of the car in a hurry/panic. Better to have the exit moves stored into muscle memory instead of learning about exit obstacles first time when/if the car catches fire.

That also means that they will not allow you to get out which could matter greatly if the car catches fire.

Good topic. I just got my hans haven't had a chance to use it but I think I'll put on the HANS, get in the car put on the helmet then strap everything together in grid for HPDE. Not sure how easy it will be to look around in grid/paddock with the sliding tethers. I did a few dry runs to get everything buckled down and it took a while.

I do the same, just easier for me and ensures everything is on right before I strap in

I follow the same routine for racing and DEs. HANS and helmet on prior to car entry. With endurance racing and pit stops, you don't have the luxury of getting ready in the car during a driver change.

Depends on car and situation. Normal club race in T3 S2000, I get in with only Hans and put on my helmet in grid. Mostly because it is easier to get in without the helmet on, but also easier to see and cooler waiting in grid. For endurance race driver changes, obviously Hans and helmet together before getting in the car.

I like the comments about always leaving the combined rig on after the race and practicing exits, I will start doing this.

Nope. Literally every car I drive or ride in, I can get out just fine fully suited up. Especially head first.

My exit strategy has always been to go out head first, seems like the fastest way as I am also tall. Of course, that is after I finish my text, put my cigarette out and turn the AC and radio off :)

Don't these contradict?

Nope, I know exactly what he means. My helmet is full of scratches from shoe-horning myself into my car as my head would always rub on the way in. On the way out, head is first thing out, never hit. I know on paper it should be the same, but it isn't...

Hans+Helmet going in and going out. Mike