helmet reviews/suggestions?

b33nine · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 311 City: Salem-ish

I had the luxury of experiencing my first concussion this weekend as well as fracturing my my orbit (small bone below my eye) after catching an edge on a whirlybird attempt.

I'm pretty beat up and maybe even a little shell shocked but I'd like to get some input on helmets for regular riding. I don't do any kind of rail riding but that might change when I finally make it to the cable park in the area. I've heard the arguments about whiplash when wearing helmets and I'd like to maybe get a bit more information on that as well.

I'm still debating if I'd start wearing the helmet full-time or if I would just wear it when I work on new or less consistent tricks.

Any suggestions/advice?

ssuter · Outlaw Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 191 City: Nashville

Same here man. I experienced my 1st this weekend to. Ive been thinking the same thing about getting a helmet. Not worth the pain when it can be avoided.

core-rider · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 531 City: Huntsville, AL

I just got a Shred Ready helmet, can't remember which model, and it fits so much better than my last one. There is really good padding built in and it has removeable inserts to custom fit it to your head. There is also a strap that is adjustable to fit the back of your head where it curves back in toward your neck. It helps keep the helmet in place instead of sliding.

With all that being said, I really don't see a helmet helping you avoid injury in your experience this past weekend. Your concussion was caused by your brain hitting your skull. That would still happen with a helmet. Hard to say about your orbit, but my guess is it would have still been damaged as well even with the helmet because your face is still not protected.

The helmet is going to better protect you from hitting soild objects. Riding with a helmet just going W2W might make you feel more safe, but I don't think it would help in the grand scheme. Sorry about your injury. Get well and get back on your board. Don't let this bring you down.

tcaseymcclure · Criminal Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Posts: 85

ya helmets for W2W jumps can almost be worse because it gives your head something solid to hit. I used to wear one and from my experience your head can get banged around inside of them pretty good

b33nine · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 311 City: Salem-ish

thanks for the input core-rider, I'm curious why the helmet helps on solid objects but not with normal wakeriding? You don't think a helmet would help even in a small amount from a crash?

I doubt it would have helped my face at all, I was more concerned about the concussion.

I think I'll probably be out for 2 weeks or so unless the eye doctor tells me differently when I go see him/her. I might just stay away from whirlybirds for awhile heh. Neutral

core-rider · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 531 City: Huntsville, AL

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

kent2010 · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 281 City: Needles

ya, i just got knocked out today. Went down trying my first mobe. then remember waking up next to the boat. pretty scary, luckily i was face up and always wear a USCG approved vest.

But would a helmet help? or would i still have been knocked out? it seems like i still would have been.

Almost got the mobe though, just missed the handle pass. lol

JeffreyCH · Posted: Jun 15, 2009 8:33 pm Post subject:

t_rex · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Helmets do help protect you from concussions but they still happen with or without. The padding inside the helmet allows your head a little room to push against the inside of the helmet when you hit the water, lessening the impact a slight amount. The hard plastic of a helmet also takes a bad landing better than your head, but nothing is concussion-proof.