To wear or not to wear a Helm? - Page 7 - Snowboarding Forum

onefutui2e · 03-01-2012, 12:29 PM

IMO there are helmets so light you won't even notice that you're wearing one. but they're typically very expensive.

like someone pointed out on this forum, your body is pretty good on its own at guessing where parts of your body are in relation to each other. so if you hit the ground it instinctively knows how much to tense your neck so you avoid slamming your head, among other things. it's not perfect but it does the job for most situations. it depends on your activities too. i used to break dance so i'm used to falling in almost every way possible.

there's also that catch-22 where increased safety is correlated with increased risk-taking. they've done studies on it but you can see it on the forums here too. i personally would not have put myself in a situation a year ago to get a concussion if i didn't have a helmet on, but it pretty much saved my life.

of course, if your body is not aware of a rock being there you're all kinds of fucked. in that case a helmet will probably be helpful.

kpd2003 · 03-01-2012, 01:10 PM

Any protection is better than none, but is spending $130 really worth it? I would imagine any helmet would work - obviously not as well as a "snowboard" deemed helmet with specific advantages (re; speakers, insulation, etc.) - to at least do the basic protecting that a helmet is good for. So, as long as it is not a huge deal, would wearing a simple skateboard helmet give you the same level of protection on the snow as it would against concrete?

I got a good chuckle when I saw a snowboarder a few weeks ago with a dirtbike/motocross helmet. More dangerous than beneficial with the limited peripherals but it does add to my original question: can any helmet work as a snowboard helmet?

Goddamn I am a stingy mofo!

poutanen · 03-01-2012, 03:01 PM

^^^ You can get a basic snowobarding helmet for $40...

Smith Hustle Silver Max 2011 Helmet Medium | eBay

I think my helmet was about $90 on sale. Light, closeable vents so good for a wide range of temps, ratchet strap adjustment for good fit.

I've busted shoulders, ribs, wrists, and bruised my tailbone really bad over the years of boarding. I forgot how to talk and gave myself headaches for a while after hitting my head. Not really looking to become a vegetable any time soon.

KIRKRIDER · 03-01-2012, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpd2003

Any protection is better than none, but is spending $130 really worth it? I would imagine any helmet would work - obviously not as well as a "snowboard" deemed helmet with specific advantages (re; speakers, insulation, etc.) - to at least do the basic protecting that a helmet is good for. So, as long as it is not a huge deal, would wearing a simple skateboard helmet give you the same level of protection on the snow as it would against concrete?

I got a good chuckle when I saw a snowboarder a few weeks ago with a dirtbike/motocross helmet. More dangerous than beneficial with the limited peripherals but it does add to my original question: can any helmet work as a snowboard helmet?

Goddamn I am a stingy mofo!

Will my Subaru WRX take me up the mountain? For sure and well too. Is it as safe and quiet as an Audi S4? No way. You get what you pay for.

mixie · 03-01-2012, 07:10 PM

this thread made me stop wearing a helmet.

When i started riding a friend gave me his old one but it only fit with a beenie underneath. Not to mention it was hideous!! I wore it when I was learning (which is probably when you need it the least) and would still wear it on icy days. Then I saw that post with the OSHA regs-- I've ditched that thing and I'm not looking back. Maybe if I find one on sale with some headphones built in, I'll pick one up.

what I don't get is why helmets are such a hot topic. In any sport. not just ski/snowboard. I've seen a million altercations both online and in person over helmets in cycling as well. Why do people care what someone else does? How does my wearing (or not) a helmet effect you?

Random Facts: I've suffered 3 concussions in my life. One was from being hit in the face (martial arts tourney) the second was from crashing my bike at about 25 mph and landing on my head. (yes, with a helmet)

The third and far worst concussion was from slipping while playing DDR.

Yeah, I know Im talented.

poutanen · 03-01-2012, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mixie

I wore it when I was learning (which is probably when you need it the least) and would still wear it on icy days. Then I saw that post with the OSHA regs-- I've ditched that thing and I'm not looking back. Maybe if I find one on sale with some headphones built in, I'll pick one up.

I would hardly say learning is when you need it least. Catch an edge, go down on ice, head smashed like a melon... lol

Also why do you care about OSHA regs when you're snowboarding? Are you being paid to snowboard? I'd take a loose helmet with a beanie rather than no helmet any day.

I really don't care if people wear a helmet or not, but I have to question peoples motivation NOT to wear one.

cjcameron11 · 03-01-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowolf

Yeah, this is also the exact reason why I drive a large SUV (though I wish I could afford one that was a hybrid or alt fuels). I am not worried about my driving but rather the other idiots on the road running into me. I want to always be in the larger vehicle just in case!

Exact reason i drive a toyota land cruiser, i figure id rather have the guilt of someone i don't know dying in an accident with me than myself or family dying. IMO bigger is better on the road.

poutanen · 03-01-2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjcameron11

Exact reason i drive a toyota land cruiser, i figure id rather have the guilt of someone i don't know dying in an accident with me than myself or family dying. IMO bigger is better on the road.

I'd kill for an FJ40 Landcruiser (the 70's landcruisers)... On the other hand bigger isn't always better on the road. Just look at the Ford/Firestone roll over scandal.

That said, you wouldn't catch me dead in a dumb car, I mean smart car.

cjcameron11 · 03-01-2012, 09:36 PM

Haha smart cars are pretty much a coffin in a collision, also plenty of fj40's here in aus pretty cheap

poutanen · 03-01-2012, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjcameron11

Haha smart cars are pretty much a coffin in a collision, also plenty of fj40's here in aus pretty cheap

Would love to import one. Here they're $10k CDN and up for one that's not rusted to shit... Damn Aussies get all the good cars for cheap!

03-01-2012, 07:10 PM	#65 (permalink)
mixie Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: so cal Posts: 577	this thread made me stop wearing a helmet. When i started riding a friend gave me his old one but it only fit with a beenie underneath. Not to mention it was hideous!! I wore it when I was learning (which is probably when you need it the least) and would still wear it on icy days. Then I saw that post with the OSHA regs-- I've ditched that thing and I'm not looking back. Maybe if I find one on sale with some headphones built in, I'll pick one up. what I don't get is why helmets are such a hot topic. In any sport. not just ski/snowboard. I've seen a million altercations both online and in person over helmets in cycling as well. Why do people care what someone else does? How does my wearing (or not) a helmet effect you? Random Facts: I've suffered 3 concussions in my life. One was from being hit in the face (martial arts tourney) the second was from crashing my bike at about 25 mph and landing on my head. (yes, with a helmet) The third and far worst concussion was from slipping while playing DDR. Yeah, I know Im talented. Last edited by mixie; 03-01-2012 at 07:13 PM.

03-01-2012, 09:36 PM	#69 (permalink)
cjcameron11 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 744	Haha smart cars are pretty much a coffin in a collision, also plenty of fj40's here in aus pretty cheap __________________ my names's Petey and i have gigantic balls

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03-01-2012, 12:29 PM	#61 (permalink)
onefutui2e Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 218	IMO there are helmets so light you won't even notice that you're wearing one. but they're typically very expensive. like someone pointed out on this forum, your body is pretty good on its own at guessing where parts of your body are in relation to each other. so if you hit the ground it instinctively knows how much to tense your neck so you avoid slamming your head, among other things. it's not perfect but it does the job for most situations. it depends on your activities too. i used to break dance so i'm used to falling in almost every way possible. there's also that catch-22 where increased safety is correlated with increased risk-taking. they've done studies on it but you can see it on the forums here too. i personally would not have put myself in a situation a year ago to get a concussion if i didn't have a helmet on, but it pretty much saved my life. of course, if your body is not aware of a rock being there you're all kinds of fucked. in that case a helmet will probably be helpful.

03-01-2012, 01:10 PM	#62 (permalink)
kpd2003 Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 74	Any protection is better than none, but is spending $130 really worth it? I would imagine any helmet would work - obviously not as well as a "snowboard" deemed helmet with specific advantages (re; speakers, insulation, etc.) - to at least do the basic protecting that a helmet is good for. So, as long as it is not a huge deal, would wearing a simple skateboard helmet give you the same level of protection on the snow as it would against concrete? I got a good chuckle when I saw a snowboarder a few weeks ago with a dirtbike/motocross helmet. More dangerous than beneficial with the limited peripherals but it does add to my original question: can any helmet work as a snowboard helmet? Goddamn I am a stingy mofo!

03-01-2012, 03:01 PM	#63 (permalink)
poutanen Resident Creep-o-saurus Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 3,558	^^^ You can get a basic snowobarding helmet for $40... Smith Hustle Silver Max 2011 Helmet Medium \| eBay I think my helmet was about $90 on sale. Light, closeable vents so good for a wide range of temps, ratchet strap adjustment for good fit. I've busted shoulders, ribs, wrists, and bruised my tailbone really bad over the years of boarding. I forgot how to talk and gave myself headaches for a while after hitting my head. Not really looking to become a vegetable any time soon.