[budderbear]

I have wondered the same thing since I started riding..Its not just Pro riders,I think its Snowboarders in general.Although where I ride doesnt have the elevation that you would associate with risk we do have a Huge park section and some decently steep short hills..Its really the only place of its kind around so there is a alot of young decent riders just pushing it in the park as well as people bombing icy groomers that are literally bulletproof.And I would say its like 1 out of every 5 snowboarders wear a helmet.I think its ridiculous.Im sure that has alot to do with my age..I never wore a helmet skating growing up so I guess I understand but there is just sooo much speed involved with snowboarding..Only took me one snowboarding concussion to figure I wanted a helmet..Im just lucky it was only a concussion :laugh:

Snowboarders in general? That's pretty narrow minded to make an assumption of a group of people because of the way a few present themselves. Seems to me you don't just wear a helmet on the mountain...

 

[SchultzLS2]

After reading this, gotta say. I really never did trust helmet companies. Guess the only reason to wear one would be to avoid some pain.

The Problem with Snowsports Helmets - The Backcountry Skiing Blog

I don't really understand your statement. If you ask me, this study COMPLETELY tells you to wear a helmet. Did you see the non-helmet stats at the end?

Ok...now don't forget...

Pain - 95g's
Concussion - 150g's
Serious/Death - 275's

Helmet to wooden post - 333g's - Just over the serious/death threshold, so you MIGHT have a chance.
Helmet to icy groomer - 162g's - Your in pain and have a possibly mild concussion.

Now lets look at the figures at the end of the article with NO HELMET

No Helmet to wooden post - 696g's - Probably certain death.
No Helmet to icy groomer - 329g's - Serious/Death, again...chances over 275g's are slim.

Sooooo....I'm not sure why the article was named "The Problem with Snowsports Helmets"

 

[AIRider]

I wear one religiously. Don't care too much what others do. It's warmer than a toque, keeps my earbuds in place, and my head and hair doesn't get wet in rain/snow …

 

[Snowfox]

I don't really understand your statement. If you ask me, this study COMPLETELY tells you to wear a helmet. Did you see the non-helmet stats at the end?

Ok...now don't forget...

Pain - 95g's
Concussion - 150g's
Serious/Death - 275's

Helmet to wooden post - 333g's - Just over the serious/death threshold, so you MIGHT have a chance.
Helmet to icy groomer - 162g's - Your in pain and have a possibly mild concussion.

Now lets look at the figures at the end of the article with NO HELMET

No Helmet to wooden post - 696g's - Probably certain death.
No Helmet to icy groomer - 329g's - Serious/Death, again...chances over 275g's are slim.

Sooooo....I'm not sure why the article was named "The Problem with Snowsports Helmets"

The study was done at 18.6 mph, a speed that any of us could attain easily. So if we all went 20mph or below, helmets would be amazing...

The idea of the article is that most of us go (significantly) above that speed and the impact begins to increase dramatically (sounds like everytime you double the speed, you quadruple the impact force). Much beyond 18.6 mph and it sounds like helmets can't do all that much to protect your head in the case of a direct impact. The article's main point (as Snowolf pointed out) is that helmets give a false sense of security and that while they provide "some" protection, they aren't perfect.

My main problem with the article is it doesn't seem to consider "indirect" (example: you hit a shoulder first, use your arm, etc.) impacts that could significantly decrease the impact before the helmet comes into play. At the same time, it still does make its point with the examples provided.

My personal opinion (not that anyone asked... ) is that everyone should wear them, but no one should be forced to wear them.

 

[eddiethebus]

As in every helmet thread, I ask the same question. What is it to you ( the helmet police ) whether someone else wears a helmet? This topic comes up as much as the stupid Shawn White threads and it's always the same broken record. Everyone fully understands the protection that a helmet offers so there is no need to preach endlessly on and on about why EVERYBODY should wear a helmet. It's really not their business what choices a another rider makes that does not impact them so shut up already about; people are sick of hearing it. Some of the helmet police are worse than Jehovas Wittness with their proselytizing.

Then we have the full blown " Helmet Nazi" who, when their preaching proves ineffectual will try to enact laws requiring all the "infidels" to wear them. These people need to be rounded up, loaded onto a 747 and flown to Iran on a one way ticket!

I rarely wear a helmet and as a 46 year old adult this should be my choice to make freely without being fucking harassed by the butt inski do gooders of the world. Preach to me about a helmet and I will tell you to your face to "fuck off and mind your own business". I just don't understand the need to preach about it. It's almost like some of these people feel insecure about wearing a helmet and are working way too hard for validation. They need an E Cookie I guess.

One caveat that I will say is that for kids who are too young to make informed decisions, then sure I have no problem with that. If society feels a kid is not experienced enough in their decision making process to legally drive, vote or drink, then it is reasonable to conclude there is an age at which they are not experienced enough to make this decision either.

You do of course have the option to not read the thread if it going to annoy you so much

Comparing people who preach about helmets to people that executed thousands of people is probably a bit harsh as well

 

[nickwarrenn]

I never knew there was so much debate about wearing helmets. Here in NS you're already forced to wear one in the park, pipe, and boardercross, we all just slap em on and wear them religiously. Plus the new NS law making everyone wear them.

I think it looks a lot cooler with helmets than without. Wearing a toque and goggles doesn't look "even" and makes your head look like a wide shallow cylinder rather than throwing a helmet on top of that which makes it look like a head again.

Just my opinion though, this is a pretty hostile thread.

 

[eddiethebus]

I don`t actually have the option to not read threads...

Exactly how am I "annoyed"? I think I have been pretty clear about about my support for helmet use, but point out the facts that these are not the magic talisman many think they are. In fact, I was pointing out that the individual I was addressing (which was NOT you by the way) sounded angry because of Thunder`s sarcasm. I think you doth protest too much and it sounds to me like you are the one "annoyed" by my "non compliance" to your obvious but unspoken bias based on the fact that you simply "reacted to a post not the discussion...:dunno:



Well, about 6 million to be exact so you might want to study history....:dunno:

Are you really so obtuse as to not understand the internet forum colloquialism regarding the term "Nazi" which is frequently used to describe someone who is overly anal retentive about something? Example: "grammer Nazi" to describe "that guy" who is always correcting a poster`s spelling and grammar.

I will say it again for the third time....

I am not calling those who preach about helmet use "helmet Nazis", I refer to those who attempt to enact laws and regulations forcing others to comply with their agenda "helmet Nazis" because they are in fact acting in a Fascist manner about something that has not impact on them personally.

Got it now?

bit tetchy:laugh:

 

[Leo]

I think you may have totally missed the context. I clearly stated the difference between the helmet advocate and the helmet Nazi. I can be opposed to the Nazi without being biased against the advocate and I am not. I am unbiased about the realities of helmet usage and have always said as much. In fact I always encourage helmet use when asked. What I object to is the Nazi like behavior of using the law to force one's advocacy upon others.

Do not assume that my vocal opposition to the Nazi equates to opposition of helmet use.

I'm talking in the context of doing reviews (like my Union one) and articles like the one that was referenced here that Kill and I were discussing. It shows a bias when you use these terms in reviews/articles.

 

[dreampow]

Here we go again, its like groundhog day.

I agree that we shouldn't be forced to wear helmets. Its a personal choice.

Going in the park and hitting big kickers is clearly putting yourself at more risk too, lets ban it:dunno:.

Where you ride and how you ride in relation to your skill level is more important than anything else IMO.

Its all personal choice.

Your choices and decisions of where and how to ride will always be the best safety.

If people want to wear helmets let them. If I don't leave me be.

 

[eddiethebus]

The hostility is actually borne from people who advocate laws forcing people to their agenda. Americans have a very natural aversion to the "nanny state" and Fascist regulations being crammed down our throats. If there is any doubt about the cultural difference between our countries in this regard, just look at the gun control issue....

Slightly off topic, but...

I always though that the US was king when it came to gun totin, but the last couple of years living in france has shown me things that i doubt you'd ever see in the US (and all totally legal!)

During october/november in hunting season its not unusual to see blokes lying under trees in public parks shooting things There was an article in the local newspaper about "accidental" shootings, joggers, cyclists, people walking dogs (and the dogs) have all been shot, but the local marie (sort of like the local mayor) puts it down to bad luck an no charges are ever bought

basically you dont got walking at night

 

[Leo]

Helmets should be forced. All of you non helmet users put me in danger because I get incredibly distracted when I see you on the mountains. All I can think of when I see you A-holes is, "Why the FUCK isn't that douche wearing a helmet?".

Make it a law so it's safer for me

 

[Memphis Hawk]

I wear a helme so that the next time I'm on a lift a 9.0 Earthquake doesn't snap the cable or lurch me out of my seat causing massive brain trauma. Things to consider when you live in Japan. Now I ski in a radiological biohazard suit so I don't get Fukushima'd, unfortunately helmets weren't considered as part of the design so now I refrain from doing inverted tricks off the 100' kicker.

 

[JoeyScholl]

It's called REAL ADVENTURE...

 

[SchultzLS2]

You sound angry bro! No one is telling you not to wear a helmet and actually I took his comment as sarcastic really. The reason for the title and the real "problem" with helmets is far too many people develop a false sense of security when wearing them. They are ignorant of the limitations and often are in denial when faced with facts that undermine their preconceived idea that a helmet is some kind of magic talisman that will protect them.

I have seen this phenomenon time and again over the course of teaching for 7 years. I see people who are rough beginners start out riding sensibly. They buy a helmet and suddenly I see them attempting shit they have no ability to pull off in conditions an expert knows better to try. They often end up severely injuring themselves and to be 100% honest, I see more concussions from people who were wearing a helmet.

Yes, wear a helmet. It protects you very well from surface injury and offers some MINIMAL protection from concussion but understand their limitations and don't suddenly ride like an idiot thinking you are protected. Helmet or not at 25 MPH if you hit anything hard enough to make that sudden stop, your brain IS going to slam against your skull and you will be concussed.

hahahaha Not angry at all. I agree it may give some a false sense of security. Not me though, because I'm about 100x more worried about my limbs than my head.

The study was done at 18.6 mph, a speed that any of us could attain easily. So if we all went 20mph or below, helmets would be amazing...

The idea of the article is that most of us go (significantly) above that speed and the impact begins to increase dramatically (sounds like everytime you double the speed, you quadruple the impact force). Much beyond 18.6 mph and it sounds like helmets can't do all that much to protect your head in the case of a direct impact. The article's main point (as Snowolf pointed out) is that helmets give a false sense of security and that while they provide "some" protection, they aren't perfect.

My main problem with the article is it doesn't seem to consider "indirect" (example: you hit a shoulder first, use your arm, etc.) impacts that could significantly decrease the impact before the helmet comes into play. At the same time, it still does make its point with the examples provided.

My personal opinion (not that anyone asked... ) is that everyone should wear them, but no one should be forced to wear them.

I agree people should, especially those hitting the park. Hell, just 2 weeks ago I was just riding over a box on my way to a kicker, and it was a little icier than expected, my board slid out from under me, and flew off box onto my back and whacked my head on the box. I was sure happy I had my helmet on. Probably wouldn't have been serious, but woulda hurt. Turned a dangerous situation into a minor annoyance.

 

[Argo]

I'd rather break all my limbs at the same time than have a head injury.... And I have a broken leg right now....

 

[Cr0_Reps_Smit]

I'd rather break all my limbs at the same time than have a head injury.... And I have a broken leg right now....

really? cause if i had the choice between a concussion and breaking every bone in my body i think id take the concussion.

 

[Argo]

really? cause if i had the choice between a concussion and breaking every bone in my body i think id take the concussion.

You going extreme on the "limbs" that I stated being every bone in your body... Your being ginger on the "concussion" related to head injury..... Your bones heal, I'll take broken bones any day over a true head injury, you never fully recover from a true head injury.

 

[nickwarrenn]

I'm joining pro-helmet forcing side. It's not like wearing a helmet could do you any harm, it'll help a bit. It's just stupid not to wear one. Plus what I said earlier about non-helmet wearers at my hill all look like tryhard tools and retards who just started snowboarding and wear jeans rolled up above their rental boots hunched over because they don't think they need a lesson.

 

[Redmond513]

Everyone has the ability to make their own decisions. If you want to wear a helmet, go ahead. If not, then don't. I personally will never board without one.

 

[dreampow]

Forcing?

Thats BS:thumbsdown:.

So you are saying pros who don't wear helmets look like tryhards and retards:dunno:?

I've said it before and I will again. How you ride is the the most important thing and there are plenty of morons riding dangerously with helmets on (and without).

Here in Japan I would say maybe 5% or less (boarders) wear helmets. Most of the tourists who come from Oz and the US do wear them.

Yet its the foreigners wearing helmets who ride the most dangerously and go into areas where they should not based on their abilities. They repeatedly get into accidents and problems which are rare between Japanese riders. Japanese riders rarely wear helmets, but in general they know how to ride according to their abilities. Really bad injuries and fatalities from on piste collisions are almost unheard of here yet there are seemingly not uncommon in the US.

Its people who imagine they are way better than they are going through trees on steeps or bombing crowded runs that cause the most problems IMO.

I bought a helmet, but I won't be wearing it for most of my powder riding and I should have that choice. I just prefer riding without. I felt it limited my peripheral awareness somehow. Not saying thats scientific, but I feel more aware of my surroundings without it. I can hear better for sure without it.

Anyway that should be my choice. I believe in free choice when that choice doesn't directly affect others.

If you are going to force helmets next it will be body armor. Then get rid of the pipe and park. Then ban the double blacks. Make a 15mph speed limit. These are all degrees of policing what should be free choice.