Should we wear helmets?

[indaba1991]

Have people seen the stick Lewis Hamilton has been getting for posting photos of himself, skiing without a helmet? Ok – even taking into consideration the sensitivities that Schumacher has been injured it hardly seems appropriate to me – Hamilton was actually on trekking/walking skis and snowshoes! What then really upset me is that in a subsequent discussion about the newspaper article a rather senior RYA instructor suddenly stated that, in his opinion, all active water sports should require people to wear a helmet – including (especially!) anyone travelling in an open RIB!

This sort of thing tends to set me off! Why is it ‘elf and safety disciples pervade our society so unnecessarily at every level? In balance I can see anyone racing a Zapcat would probably be better off using a helmet – I can also see the sensibilities of helmets for children sailing and those racing on extreme multihulls. In parallel I can also see that someone charging around Brands Hatch in a saloon car should probably wear a helmet as well. However dictatorial legislation in individual areas, particularly in leisure activities, denudes much of the pleasure and emasculates the long forgotten tenets of individual responsibility. If we leave it to the experts it will not be long before I have to wear a helmet in the rusty BMW on a trip down to Waitrose!!

Who is for helmets in a RIB then?
(Grump Grump!)

[Nos4r2]

Compulsorily, absolutely not.

I've been known to wear one in crap weather to stop eyeball freeze and water in my eyes, but it's only for comfort.

[Chris Caton]

we wear Geckos occasionally, but to be honest that's just to keep the wind n rain out of the eyes more than anything else, not for any head protection as such. I'm with you, the health n safety elves should go take a running jump, surely there are better things to be worrying about than head protection in a leisure rib

[biffer]

I stopped riding a Motorbyke when crash helmets became compulsory. I know all the arguments but it should be my choice. Same with seatbelts. I would say I'm a better driver without being trussed up.
I know I'm a naughty boy but I've been driving cars for 42 years and bykes before that. I'm still here and only wrecked one car. The suspension fell off the front wheel of my moggy.
What about smoking while driving. A burning bush between your fingers

[neil.mccrirrick]

Originally Posted by biffer

. A burning bush between your fingers

I think you can get a cream for that now

Sent from my iPad using Rib.net

[Trimix]

Helmets dont stop your soft brain smashing into the inside of your hard skull.

[indaba1991]

Originally Posted by Trimix

Helmets dont stop your soft brain smashing into the inside of your hard skull.

Can I suggest one of these if we have to?

[kerny]

Probably a good idea... no point in only having half the gear for rough weather... "just saying like hey t t"....

http://cdn.rib.net/forum/attachment....6&d=1388338245

[Poly]

Hamilton is getting stick for not wearing a helmet and not ending up in hospital but Schumacher was wearing one and still got hurt? Assume you've been reading the daily mail for that sort of logic... whilst hardly scientific that might point to: Risk compensation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Which would explain this: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/01/sp...mid=tw-nytimes

As for wearing one on open RIBs... ...is there any evidence of large numbers of preventable head injuries? (not that I've heard - I have heard of some nasty face injuries - but then we would need full face helmets which is a step up from the norm, and why "open ribs" not those with even more vertical surface to smack into). I've heard of more head injuries on racing yachts - so if you were going to start somewhere...

Would be interesting to see if that RYA instructor, who will have specifically risk assessed all his training activities, provides and requires the use of helmets on ALL his courses.

[biffer]

I would be more worried about neck fatigue by wearing a helmet, as regards to Hamilton, I heard a rumour that he didn't even know that Schumacher had a fall when he posted his blogg

[Deekus]

Hamilton needs to wear less makeup!

[matt h]

Originally Posted by indaba1991

Can I suggest one of these if we have to?

Brilliant.. I want one!! ha ha

[lukewhiting]

I wear one on my thundercat but that's only because there's a much higher risk of going for a swim & jumping waves can be risky at times! I'd never wear one In a open rib though

[Ian M]

+1 - wot Nos said
I really am getting very aggravated by thems that think they have the right to tell the rest of us what to do. Seems we won the 39-45 bash only to end up with a million and one petty little hitlers
Glad I got that off me chest

[Landlockedpirate]

Over on Snowheads the Schumacher/helmet thread is starting to make WW11 look like a rugby match.

I dont wear a helmet when skiing and I realise this is a risk. I have worn a helmet on the water but only on a Jetski and TBH it was mostly to keep my head warm at 60mph+ in the winter.

I hope the wearing of helmets in all recreational pursuits remains voluntery, but I fear that interested parties (insurance companies ?) will eventually help to push through legislation that makes us wear protection on all boats, even rowing

[whisper]

I have been wearing a gecko now in the bad weather while out on my rib for about three years, at first I was very self conscious about wearing it but not now. If it's rough or raining I just wear it.

I don't think the person who said they should be worn has much of a clue, I mean have you ever seen a steering wheel on a boat after an accident?

Helmets are a good thing in the right circumstances, but not every circumstance.

Mind you If I had one of these linked to my Garmin I would probably wear it all the time

Skully Helmets - Lets go for a ride - YouTube

[PeterM]

Awesome....they've got AJs Round Anglesey music and then Mrs Aj even calls him :-)

However the 'warning ribnobbers ahead' instruction would have to be added.......

Edit..I think you mean 'shouldn't' not should?

[Steve_B]

The increased weight of a helmet, can only add to the likelihood of whiplash injuries.
In high speed sports where they are worn (motor racing/offshore power boating), additional neck bracing is also worn. All this must be specifically fitted to the individual, any generic kit, not adjusted correctly will create more problems than it is intended to cure.
Steve

[MustRib]

on RI, I managed to smack the visor of my Gecko into the wheel. It happened sooo fast and was quite a bang.
In bad weather, and when going at any speed I always put it on.
The full visor gives great protection from spray and wind fatigue.
But I dont want anyone telling me I HAVE to wear one.

[m chappelow]

Its bad enough getting some to wear a lifejacket!