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Helmet Advice

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tirolerpeter

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Re: The subject getting Weird?

beswift said:
Certainly, I am not advocating pro or con vs. helmuts as a personal choice. I am only pointing out their drawbacks. If I am ever hit by a helmut wearing skier, the helmut will make it harder for me to damage when I hit him back. :D Of course people ski out of control regardless of what their head gear is like. However, putting on a helmut IMHO will never reduce someone's self-confidence but in isolated cases it will enhance it. I really question the attitude that skier collisions are purely accidental. It's like stating that some people are accident prone. Some people are dangerous and present a risk to society. As to N.Y. lawyers, they go for bigger bucks than any other lawyers. Most of the high lift ticket prices in Vermont are due to New York and not Vermont lawyers. :lol:

OK.....you have convinced me. I am going back to skiing without a helmet, cutting off my NY Atty's retainer, resuming unprotected sex, and I'll be hitting "White Heat" as soon as I fortify myself with a six-pack or two. Wanna join me?

See you at the lift.
 

sledhaulingmedic

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Be right there! (I'm just reviewing my anatomy to find out where on my blind side my kidneys and spleen are :roll: )
 

RISkier

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Finally joined the ranks of the helmeted this week. My wife bought me a gift certificate for Christmas cause I kept saying I was going to buy a helmet. As of yesterday, she was still reluctant. So yesterday she had a yard sale and banged her head pretty hard. For safety sake we had ski patrol check her out. No real damage (she's very hard headed and I mean that in everyway) and we skied a bit after, but she's now convinced.
 

RossiSkier

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HELMUTS

Bought a helmut this season after seeing a brains splattered against a tree. My wife already had one. Bought one for my good friend as well. They are very warm and they look fashionable, but that's not a big selling point with me. I don't want what little brains I have splattered on a tree or a rock.
 

kfan

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I've had my Giro 9 helmet for a year now and I love it (btw, Giro make great helmets, I have a bicycling helmet by Giro too). The goggle strap buckle is still there and I used it all the time unlike some people who just keep their goggles on the helmet. In addition to the stuff already mentioned, I would recommend you take your goggles with you when you try on the helmet, make sure that your goggles fit with the helmet.

Someone mentioned the Giro Fuse and the switch for the vents. I haven't found the need to air my head while on the slopes, so I don't think that it is a very useful feature (in case you're thinking about it). Besides you'll get snow in your helmet with the vents open when you wipe out (just kidding).

Another concern is the popularity of the helmet. If you get a popular color, it might get mixed up with other people's helmet (ugh, that's like wearing someone else's socks). However, a decorative sticker/decal to personalize the helmet should solve that problem.
 

sledhaulingmedic

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Advice:

Wear one.

Find one that fits and is comfortable. I have a fat head so Leedom XXL is the only size that fits. (Go figure, I wear Langes, cause I have a narrow foot :oops: )

My Head is hard to fit, so I've been through three, but now am fairly comfortable with the Leedom. I could use more ventilation in spring conditions, but hey, maybe as gloabl warming takes hold, they'll get that right. (That and have Anejo Tequilla at more ski area bars :beer: )
 

GadgetRick

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Heard it all...

I've heard every argument on why not to wear a helmut. I've also heard every argument on why you should wear one. However, the best examples of why I personally wear one (you have the right to do whatever you like, great country!) is because I am on the ski patrol and I do see lots of accidents and I do learn what happened and the injuries caused by these accidents.

Anyway, everyone is correct, if I ski head first into a tree, a helmut may not protect me but it won't do any damage which would kill me--the header into the tree is probably sufficient to do this. These types of accidents will do nobody any good no matter what you're wearing.

However, most accidents on a mountain (thankfully) are not so serious. Most accidents involving head injury (like what we're talking about) tend to be someone falling and hitting their head on something hard (i.e. the ice on the mountain or a rock). Now, people have argued things like, "I might get a bruise or a cut on my head from the helmut." Well, yes, you might, however, it's better than the possible skull fracture you might sustain when you whack your head on the rock. It's much like airbags. Ever known anyone to be driving a car when their airbag went off in a crash? In most cars, you'd wind up with burns on your forearms from the explosion used to set off the airbag. Now, I don't know about you, but I'd rather take the burns than the alternatives.

Also, they can help in the event of an unexpexted meeting with a tree. A couple of years ago we had someone who was racing, got out of control, went backwards into the trees and hit the tree...hard. I saw the video of it. The person lived to tell the tale and has made a full recovery. The doctors said the helmut--which, btw, had bark stuck in the plastic--saved their life. Ok, it's not the full header we've talked about but you just never know how you're going to get into an accident.

So, do I wear a helmut? Heck yeah I do! Do I suggest people wear one? Heck yeah I do. Do I preach to them they should? Only if it's my family or close friends. I don't really care whether people wear them or not. I feel they can help keep you from serious injury in many of the more common accidents.

btw, I wear a Giro 9 myself. My only complaint about helmuts is they're too hot for me! I've tried many different types but on those warm spring skiing days it's just HOT in there for me!
 

Charlie Schuessler

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This past summer while riding downhill in the rain on my road bicycle I took a fall and realized afterward that wearing a helmet probably prevented a head injury.

SO, this is the 1st Year I'm wearing a helmet skiing and it feels all right. I tried a few of them on and liked the Marker M3 with removable ear cuffs. My sunglasses and goggles fit well and do not fog nor does it diminish my peripheral version.

At first I wore it riding my mountain bike and then I started skiing with it. It is a tad heavier than a bicycling helmet but nowhere near the weight of a motorcycle helmet.

With the integral venting and the ear cuffs off, on warm days it is nearly the same as a bike helmet, where I take it off while on the chair or taking a break. And on cold days with the ear cuffs on it is very warm.

The only issue I have is the sound muffling that occurs with the ear cuffs on, where I don't hear everything going on around me...not necessarily a bad thing though...

I was speaking with my brother (who has been wearing one for about 8-years now) about over it the Holiday’s and we agreed that our concentration levels may have increased; however neither believes that at our age, individual bravado has not.

To wear or not to wear a helmet is a personal decision. A perceived close call riding a bicycle helped me decide to wear one.
 
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sledhaulingmedic said:
Advice:

Wear one.

Find one that fits and is comfortable. I have a fat head so Leedom XXL is the only size that fits. (Go figure, I wear Langes, cause I have a narrow foot :oops: )

My Head is hard to fit, so I've been through three, but now am fairly comfortable with the Leedom. I could use more ventilation in spring conditions, but hey, maybe as gloabl warming takes hold, they'll get that right. (That and have Anejo Tequilla at more ski area bars :beer: )

dang sled, you have a big mellon.....i have been sporting a brain buckett for over 15 years.
and have owned them"all'. i just swiched over to a ledom limit cut....love the vent and leave it open all the time.
remember folks just like ski/board boots..."the best helmet fits best"
 
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beswift

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Re: The subject getting Weird?

tirolerpeter said:
OK.....you have convinced me. I am going back to skiing without a helmet, cutting off my NY Atty's retainer, resuming unprotected sex, and I'll be hitting "White Heat" as soon as I fortify myself with a six-pack or two. Wanna join me?

See you at the lift.

Not if I see you first.
 
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beswift

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sledhaulingmedic said:
(I'm just reviewing my anatomy to find out where on my blind side my kidneys and spleen are :roll: )
I hope your plumbing isn't as screwed up as the previous poster.
(If it is, you might want to take him up on his proposition for a date after his remark about safe sex.):roll:
Nevertheless, if you are picking yourself up after falling with a helmut look for your heart in your throat first, after that look for your foot in your mouth. Then I would worry about whether your brains are still in your seat. :wink:
sledhaulingmedic said:
Advice: Wear one.

In the words of J.D. Salinger when he granted an interview to the press after many years of living a reclusive life in N.H. and was asked if he had any advice for his public:
Don't take anyone's advice.
Although I think the falling value of the U.S. dollar vis-a-vis the Canadian would be the driving force, I'm starting to wonder if the reluctance of the players to return to competition in the NHL strike might have something to do with the assault which occured last spring that has been the only news about the league. I forget the names, but the guy who was struck was wearing a helmut. He has been complaining about various malfunctions which weren't prevented by his helmut. This type of blow would be typical of one that demonstrates the dangers of wearing a helmut.
 

tirolerpeter

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Helmets Ad Nauseam

OK everybody, I think I finally understand. Sometimes Beswift's highly nuanced postings confuse me as to what he advocates. (I feel like a :dunce: when I do that.) So, let me state it clearly: He doesn't want to wear a helmet and he doesn't want anyone else to wear one because he feels unsafe around those who do." Did I get that right, or am I missing his point again? Now, I wonder how he feels about wearing goggles? After all, think of how that limits your peripheral vision and impinges on your ability to maintain eternal vigilance for errant helmeted skiers! In fact, I'm now wondering if skiers should be using poles too? Think of the potential for spearing each other that creates :roll: ? I confess, I have been blithly skiing along for all these years and have not acknowledged the gravitas these issues engender! Oh, upon further consideration I'm even going to stop wearing my helmet during any kind of sex at all!
 

BrockVond

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Re: Excessive Speed and Helmuts

beswift said:
Someone with a helmut would be less likely to attempt to avoid bumping heads with you as well. All it will take will be one serious accident where the injuries can be attributed to a helmut. Some slick N.Y. lawyer will sue the ski area for allowing helmuts, and they'll be banned.

I'm always amused that there are people still arguing against the use of helmets, but this particular argument takes the cake. We shouldn't allow helmets because we might head-butt some lame brain not wearing one? Now I've heard everything.

Bottom line is that we wouldn't be talking about this if all resorts required the use of helmets. And the reason why they don't require it? Because it increases, not decreases, the resort's exposure to lawsuits.

Ironic, huh?
 

tirolerpeter

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Helmet use

You are probably right BrockVond! If helmets were mandated some a--hole who managed to slip out onto the slopes without one, and who then knocked himself sensless or worse, would sue because the resort hadn't "enforced" their helmet rule. While this is truly ironic, it doesn't change my mind about the positives of wearing one.
 
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beswift

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Helmuts

Let see, first of all I am not taking seriously any of the postings which attack my personal case over and above the facts of the matter. That leaves out some of the more active posters, but it does clarify the situation. Many others will post because they have spent their money on helmuts and want to defend their choice (having been sold another dispensible item). That leaves a bias to the thread. :blink: Unfortunately, those who have had spinal cord injuries due to helmuts can't post (or actually communicate well at all) . This will certainly enhance the bias for helmuts. Now, I can only relate my experienced opinion here. Certainly, I think giving spastic and autistic kids helmuts would be a good idea. On top of that, retarded adults that like to post on the internet should also be allowed to have them. :wink: However, if you exercise care in your activities and basically keep your head up when skiing, etc. you don't need a helmut. However, there are those who lead with their heads. They are the one's I try to avoid. Firemen, Policemen, Soldiers, Ski Patrollers, Homeland Defenders, etc. with Hero or Napoleonic complexes would be best put at a distance. Certainly, though, they are easy to pick out since they wear funny hats. :dunce: They are into helmuts inorder to protect themselves and not others. Most of them have also been sucked into wearing a monkey suit in public and want to avoid personal recognition for their arrogances. :flag: Futhermore, since they often aren't the brightest lightbulbs in the string , they aren't even good at protecting themselves. :oops: Those with swelled heads feel they need the helmut to keep the swelling at a minimum. :roll: Those with hot-heads (and proud of it) will use these infernally hot pieces of plastic to keep it up, so to speak. :uzi: Let me relate a personal experiences (among many) which may explain my position. The North Face of Mt. Snow has the only trail which I ever failed to negotiate, went into the woods uncontrollably and had a collision with a tree. It's an experience one doesn't forget. I was using waxed new Olin GS skiis with the all metal Geze florescent green binding, it was cold, icy and very fast. I was alone on the trail and to say I was cruising would be putting it mildly. I lost my balance and went head over heals. Once in a slide, I was able to flip over, put my feet first and take the impact with the equipment. Although I had lost one ski, I still had the other. Hitting the first solid tree I could aim at with the tortion box mid section of the ski, not only did I break the inertia of the fall, I was able to use the ski in the careem off the trunk to avoid going futher into the thicket by tangling it. No helmut, no injuries, no real damage to the ski (that's Olin for you), I brushed myself off, took a deep breath and went back to skiing. However, a helmut would certainly have wip-lashed causing a neck injury. I lost my hat, but was able to retrieve it as it was a pretty cold day. Nowadays, I am wearing hoods more. In fact I have learned how to put my own snaps on my parkas and add a detatchable hood. The hoods protect one's ears from the wind and cold better as hats tend to ride up (especially if you wear a chill choker. Unless pulled tight, they will cut your periferal visibility a bit, though. I have a good tight, thin skull cap type gortex and polarfleece hat with ear flaps which I picked up last winter in Brattleboro. It works well under the standard wool ski hat, but I'm not sure about the combination with the chill choker. So for head gear, I am experimenting with both set-ups in the future. I did buy a helmut (plastic free) for ice-kiting, but I doubt if I will find a good combination of wool or fleece that can keep my head warm for that sport. I'll try, though.
 

sledhaulingmedic

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Ah, the pattern continues. Previously, you've demonstrated your total ignorance of anatomy, drawn the conclusion that helmet wearing skiers and riders do so to enhance their ability to inflict injury on those who do not, wear helmets, made libelous statements about a ski shop owner, all proving that there's nothing in your cranium worth protecting.

I'm glad that you’re now labeling me as having "hero" and Napoleonic complexes. I think a few of the members who know me might disagree. But since you're so certain, it must be true. Let me buy you a drink:

CUPOF.JPG


Also, maybe you could save time and bandwidth and shorten your handle from "Beswift" to "BS"
 
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beswift

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stalking

I've got sledhaulingmedic down as a cyber-stalker. I guess that fits into his mission in life (ambulance chasing?).
 

tirolerpeter

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More Helmet!

Beswift you must have the athletic ability of SPIDERMAN they way you describe your wipeout at Mt. Snow! I too have "lost it" and found myself launched off into the wooded side of an icey stretch there. However, while in retrospect, the event played out in my mind in slow motion, real time meant that the best I could do was grab my neck, assume a fetal position, and ride it out. I went down hard (as described by my nephew watching from behind and above me on the trail) and was catapulted into the air and into the woods by the berm. As LUCK would have it, I had my flight arrested by what must have been the only group of saplings among some substantial trees along that stretch. In my case, I caught a really good head "thump" on the initial fall (my tails spun out on the top of an icey mogul and dropped me backward) and had I not been wearing my helmet, it would likely have been "lights out" right there. My point here is that you are totally deluded about your own ability to avoid a head injury. If you ski aggressively on any level of trails, some unforseen hazard is going to take you down at some point. In fact, while very good skiers tend to be extra cautious on difficult terrain, even cruising on blues can take you off guard (or another oblivious skier) at any time. I hope you are not counting on your various hat/hood combinations and your extraordinary athleticism to save you from a major head shot. But then we will never know, because you likey won't be posting much thereafter. LOL
 
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