Do you wear a helmet?

[SkiDog]

That's why I looked to see if the hats were torn (wool, polarfleece etc will show the effects of a tree hit or snag). I ski a lot of trees.................non-stop..........do recall, it is my decision to ski with or without a helmet.

So, here's one for all of the helmet wearer's who go into avie terrain. Do you wear an avi lung. All the arguements made here would suggest everyone who ventures into that type of terrain would have an avie lung. I don't see a whole lot of avie lungs out there in avie terrain..............but I use mine all the time. What do ya think...................gonna buy one for the next time you decide to duck the rope or go thru the open gates to a non patrolled and non maintained section.

The approach is the same............we all use the safety equipment we feel will help us the most. For me, that is probe, transceiver, shovel, avilung, and avalanche/ski mountaineering courses. For others, it's a helmet.

Personally Ive never seen a big mtn skier that DIDNT WEAR A HELMET. I have seen many many that dont wear Avi lungs...I have read that they arent as effective as you'd think...sure..they may keep you alive a bit longer, and have been proved to do so, but there are a lot of factors also involved in an avi situation. You may be dead from hitting a tree way before that avi lung will be useful...now that helmet might be very useful if your uphill partner kicks loose a piece of ice that hits your head...I dont think that AVI lung will help you at all here...I do like that new airbag solution for avi safety...

It IS STILL YOUR CHOICE..for sure..I just dont understand the logic behind NOT wearing one..especially in the situations it seems you encounter on a regular basis..

Just my .02.

M

 

[AHM]

I guess I have....................

Personally Ive never seen a big mtn skier that DIDNT WEAR A HELMET. I have seen many many that dont wear Avi lungs...I have read that they arent as effective as you'd think...sure..they may keep you alive a bit longer, and have been proved to do so, but there are a lot of factors also involved in an avi situation. You may be dead from hitting a tree way before that avi lung will be useful...now that helmet might be very useful if your uphill partner kicks loose a piece of ice that hits your head...I dont think that AVI lung will help you at all here...I do like that new airbag solution for avi safety...

It IS STILL YOUR CHOICE..for sure..I just dont understand the logic behind NOT wearing one..especially in the situations it seems you encounter on a regular basis..

Just my .02.

M

Let's see: Spriceneiks, Coombs, Garvey, Smart, Egan, Mossiere, Newcomb, Lowe..... There are a few. Recognize, a lot of big mountain skiers you see are film stars. There are a lot of big mountain skiers out there that don't wear helmets and aren't film stars, they are just real skiers living and skiing..............like a lot of the "safety skiers" and guides for Seth and company, guys like Rob Hess.

It is my choice, and if I decide I am gonna wear one it'll be an actual helmet capable of withstanding some impact. Also, I have done a simulated burial with my avilung and found it worked quite well. I'll keep wearing it when the situation merits, you keep wearing your helmet. Good deal.

 

[SkiDog]

Let's see: Spriceneiks, Coombs, Garvey, Smart, Egan, Mossiere, Newcomb, Lowe..... There are a few. Recognize, a lot of big mountain skiers you see are film stars. There are a lot of big mountain skiers out there that don't wear helmets and aren't film stars, they are just real skiers living and skiing..............like a lot of the "safety skiers" and guides for Seth and company, guys like Rob Hess.

It is my choice, and if I decide I am gonna wear one it'll be an actual helmet capable of withstanding some impact. Also, I have done a simulated burial with my avilung and found it worked quite well. I'll keep wearing it when the situation merits, you keep wearing your helmet. Good deal.

yes I agree your choice...100%....

Can I ask...? Why wear one MTN biking and not skiing? Do you think one is that much more dangerous than the other?

M

 

[Hawkshot99]

I wear a Giro G10. Very comfortable helmet and with the vent slider thing, you cant loose your vents. I think I may get the Visoe G10 this year with the I-tunes kit.

The helmet I just replaces, shows all of the damage I did to it. There are deep gouges and scratches and scuffs all over it. If that had been my head, it would have been bad.
Being warmer than a hat is nice, and hey, its more areodynamic.

 

[SkiDog]

I wear a Giro G10. Very comfortable helmet and with the vent slider thing, you cant loose your vents. I think I may get the Visoe G10 this year with the I-tunes kit.

The helmet I just replaces, shows all of the damage I did to it. There are deep gouges and scratches and scuffs all over it. If that had been my head, it would have been bad.
Being warmer than a hat is nice, and hey, its more areodynamic.

I have that giro10 with the visor..the only complaint I have is that the visor get in the way whne I need to remove my goggles you have the balance them to make em stay put for a minute...I have taken off the visor and am trying to dtermine if I want to put it back on...other than that the earphones rule...and the vent does too..

M

 

[awf170]

I really like the looks of that Giro G10. I like how the plastic doesn't go over your ears like mine, that is probably why I feel so deaf in it. I think I'll go to the Ski Haus sale this weekend and see if they have that or the G9 for cheap.

 

[Hawkshot99]

I really like the looks of that Giro G10. I like how the plastic doesn't go over your ears like mine, that is probably why I feel so deaf in it. I think I'll go to the Ski Haus sale this weekend and see if they have that or the G9 for cheap.

There is no G9, it is called the "Nine". The G10 is a much better helmet than the Nine, at least for my head. They are shaped slightly different, so that may be the deciding factor.

I have that giro10 with the visor..the only complaint I have is that the visor get in the way whne I need to remove my goggles you have the balance them to make em stay put for a minute...I have taken off the visor and am trying to dtermine if I want to put it back on...other than that the earphones rule...and the vent does too..

I dont really take them off anyway, so thats ok. The new I-Tunes kits coming out are going to be wireless for the 07' models.

 

[AHM]

Here's why................

Can I ask...? Why wear one MTN biking and not skiing? Do you think one is that much more dangerous than the other?

On my mtb, there are a whole lot more crashes. Much technical mtb is pretty slow, so one of the primary factors in a crash is the vertical distance you fall. With speed there is a horizontal vector which can play a big role (especially in skiing where the surface is slippery).

Also, I bash branches out of the way with my bike helmet, because the trail doesn't let you see as far down hill you can all of a sudden have a branch across the trail. Skiing, I simply can easily duck the tree branch or choose a different line. On the bike, the trail is pretty much the line.

Tree skiing is a good place for most to ski with helmets. I think a lot goes into when you learned to tree ski (old dog, new tricks), how you tree ski, and really how often you crash or have close calls. We all know that race car drivers wear helmets, but we as rec drivers do not. We know the helmet is safer, but we feel that the "situation we are driving in or how we are driving" does not merit a helmet. I look at skiing the same way. If you are in situations regularly that merit a helmet based on external factors (the terrain) and your own skills, then by all means wear a helmet. If not...............just like in our cars.

 

[SkiDog]

Can I ask...? Why wear one MTN biking and not skiing? Do you think one is that much more dangerous than the other?

On my mtb, there are a whole lot more crashes. Much technical mtb is pretty slow, so one of the primary factors in a crash is the vertical distance you fall. With speed there is a horizontal vector which can play a big role (especially in skiing where the surface is slippery).

Also, I bash branches out of the way with my bike helmet, because the trail doesn't let you see as far down hill you can all of a sudden have a branch across the trail. Skiing, I simply can easily duck the tree branch or choose a different line. On the bike, the trail is pretty much the line.

Tree skiing is a good place for most to ski with helmets. I think a lot goes into when you learned to tree ski (old dog, new tricks), how you tree ski, and really how often you crash or have close calls. We all know that race car drivers wear helmets, but we as rec drivers do not. We know the helmet is safer, but we feel that the "situation we are driving in or how we are driving" does not merit a helmet. I look at skiing the same way. If you are in situations regularly that merit a helmet based on external factors (the terrain) and your own skills, then by all means wear a helmet. If not...............just like in our cars.

Ok I dont like the last car analogy, but I see your point....

I wear one in both biking and skiing....I was sking trees for sure WAY before the helmet craze...i've hit my fair share of branches..and had a few close calls...rather have it for added confidence...not out of control...just feel safer...it likely wont save me from a head on tree collison..but..maybe it will, ill take that chance..

M

 

[marcski]

This decision is a no-brainer. That is for people that have them. Therefore, I wear one.

 

[JimG.]

Can I ask...? Why wear one MTN biking and not skiing? Do you think one is that much more dangerous than the other?

M

Statistically speaking, there are approximately 10 times the number of fatalities among people who bike compared to people who ski. Of course, part of that is due to the fact that alot more folks bike than ski, but then again you don't often see cars around people who ski like you do people who bike. Generally speaking snow is softer than concrete or asphalt too. And the MTB crowd, while not near cars, are really tree skiers on dirt.

Biking is more of a risk than skiing regarding injury.

 

[AHM]

Yep, just ask Gordy Howe..............

This decision is a no-brainer. That is for people that have them. Therefore, I wear one.

When they asked Gordy Howe why he wore a cup, but not a helmet...........................he said, you can always get someone to do your thinking for you.

For you, it is a no brainer. For other's, they see it differently and that seems hard for some to understand. The same could be said for fitness. I mean if you can't do 150 situps (cake for me), bench twice your body weight(again cake), or cycle more than a century (super cake), wow you are just out of shape and heading for a infarc and will be a medical mess shortly. By all means, don't order the fromage course while skiing in France. I mean the fat intake is huge. Don't drive a fuel efficient car.........just too small and unsafe, get an H2, it's the only way you'll be safe. I mean anyone with a brain could tell ya that if you are not in the safest car out there, then you are just lining up to get injured. Install the support bars in your shower/tub, it's slippery and unsafe. So, recall that it is our own choice. Look at the data as it applies to you and make your own call. That's what I did.

 

[SkiDog]

When they asked Gordy Howe why he wore a cup, but not a helmet...........................he said, you can always get someone to do your thinking for you.

For you, it is a no brainer. For other's, they see it differently and that seems hard for some to understand. The same could be said for fitness. I mean if you can't do 150 situps (cake for me), bench twice your body weight(again cake), or cycle more than a century (super cake), wow you are just out of shape and heading for a infarc and will be a medical mess shortly. By all means, don't order the fromage course while skiing in France. I mean the fat intake is huge. Don't drive a fuel efficient car.........just too small and unsafe, get an H2, it's the only way you'll be safe. I mean anyone with a brain could tell ya that if you are not in the safest car out there, then you are just lining up to get injured. Install the support bars in your shower/tub, it's slippery and unsafe. So, recall that it is our own choice. Look at the data as it applies to you and make your own call. That's what I did.

Why are there seatbelt laws then? Do you wear one of those? Seems that SHOULD be a choice but is not. What would you do if ski resorts started making them mandatory?

M

 

[SkiDog]

Steep

SPEAKING OF HELEMTS....

PLEASE GO QUICKLY YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN

http://www.steepandcheap.com/

M

 

[marcski]

When they asked Gordy Howe why he wore a cup, but not a helmet...........................he said, you can always get someone to do your thinking for you.

For you, it is a no brainer. For other's, they see it differently and that seems hard for some to understand. The same could be said for fitness. I mean if you can't do 150 situps (cake for me), bench twice your body weight(again cake), or cycle more than a century (super cake), wow you are just out of shape and heading for a infarc and will be a medical mess shortly. By all means, don't order the fromage course while skiing in France. I mean the fat intake is huge. Don't drive a fuel efficient car.........just too small and unsafe, get an H2, it's the only way you'll be safe. I mean anyone with a brain could tell ya that if you are not in the safest car out there, then you are just lining up to get injured. Install the support bars in your shower/tub, it's slippery and unsafe. So, recall that it is our own choice. Look at the data as it applies to you and make your own call. That's what I did.

Absolutely, I am all for choice, trust me. I would be against mandatory helmet laws while skiing. However, its a personal choice of mine to protect my most vital organ. If one feels their brain is not worth protecting, I'll fight for your right to choose.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Helmets?

Skiing Magazine "Gear Guide 2007" Edition. It came in the mail this morning. Page 33 in the section called "By The Numbers:"

"33 Percentage of skiers/riders who wore helmets during the "04-05" season, according to a report commissioned by the National Ski Areas Association.""

"38 Percentage of skier/rider fatalities (1999-2005) who were wearing helmets."

Res ipso loquitor

 

[kbroderick]

Uh, I can vouch for 30 MPH not being the top end of helmet usefulness. I started wearing one most of the time I went skiing after a 40+MPH wrong turn on Narrow Gauge (@ Sugarloaf) about 12 years ago.

The story: we were freeskiing super-G (closed trail IIRC; it was a MARA JIII super-g training day) and I went right instead of left at the Birch Hook trail junction. I remember thinking that I was going to bend my skis (Rossi 7XK, rather prone to bending if introduced to bumps improperly), bounced a couple of times, and then was gathering myself together from near the bottom of Birch Hook. My goggles were cracked, one of my skis was completely vertical in a mogul about one row in from the top, and I was a bit cold (it was something like -10 F that day before wind chill), and my balance wasn't quite right for the rest of the day. On the other hand, I didn't bend the skis and I was able to train the following day and race the day after that.

Years later, I talked to another coach who said that Adam (my coach at the time) expected a lot worse when I went out of sight at 50 MPH (his estimate).

Since then, I've also had a few relatively minor incidents where the helmet was rather helpful, including one that was a (relatively) low-speed incident and could have led to hospitalization without the helmet--I was making a brushed, medium-radius turn on Vortex (at Sunday RIver) while skiing with my dad when my downhill ski hooked up and my body kept going down the hill. With my impeccable sense of timing, I managed to do this near the top of a small knoll and thus went flying through the air before landing smack on the back of my head.

At this point, I put my helmet on if I'm putting my ski boots on, whether I'm going out for beer league racing, treeskiing, or even just skiing over to the race hill to take photos. And yes, I haul it with me when I'm hiking for turns--I figure it's worth the small amount of extra weight given the greater issues involved in a rescue if I'm somewhere I had to hike into.

 

[riverc0il]

Do the newer helmets still make you feel half-deaf or have they gotten better?

i always wear a giro9 and never ever have had a hearing issues. the ear pads are very soft but still keep the ears warm unless the wind is REALLY blowing. if it is that cold out though, i generally wear a hat because it offers full, no skin exposed, protection and keeps my head warmer. besides, can take the ear flaps off during the summer for backcountry when it is warmer

 

[riverc0il]

Uh, I can vouch for 30 MPH not being the top end of helmet usefulness. I started wearing one most of the time I went skiing after a 40+MPH wrong turn on Narrow Gauge (@ Sugarloaf) about 12 years ago.

while helmets may prove useful at higher speeds, the likelihood of protection is reduced dramatically. a review of skiing related deaths over the past few years would show you many many many helmet wearing skiers that died going 30 MPH+ due to head/neck trauma after hitting a tree. that raises the ole' false sense of security issue which suggests people do more dangerous things (such as ski faster than they would without a helmet) because they think the helmet would protect them.

 

[skibum9995]

I've been wearing a helmet since I started racing my freshman year of high school. The only times I don't wear one is is on hot, sunny spring days. It just feels weird without it. I feel like my hat is going to blow off because of all the wind that is normally blocked by the helmet coming through.