Prompted by Jim\'s sad news, I\'m wondering is there a helmet out there that would give unobtrusive protection to the rock-hopping paddler. I personally would be more likely to wear something the size and shape of a bike helmet, as opposed to the head-wrapping, ear-blocking slow-cooker that is the traditional kayak helmet.
I know bike helmets are not meant to be used (except on bikes)... has anyone a better idea ?
Multisport helmets like this one
[img size=150]http://www.gearzone.com/v/vspfiles/phot ... 101-2T.jpg[/img] and this one
[img size=150]http://www.ratracestore.com/store/salew ... %20med.jpg[/img]
are still a bit on the chunky side, compared with something like this....
[img size=150]http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:LN2b ... /11062.jpg[/img]
Thoughts ?
Ciaran
Helmets
Re:Helmets
Bike helmets are fundamentally different in construction to kayaking helmets in that they\'re basically an expanded polystyrene (or similar) block. They\'re intended to protect the head against a single heavy blow from a blunt object (car / ground) and may well be destroyed in the process as the polystyrene absorbs the energy of the impact.
Sometimes that might be fine in kayaking, but I think only sometimes. More often protection against multiple smaller impacts is required. The outer shell of a bike helmet is usually insubstantial and full of large holes. It wouldn\'t resist puncture by a sharp object (rock) very well.
By contrast kayak helmets usually have a strong outer shell with relatively few small holes to resist puncture. They either have a cradle with an air-gap, a bit like a climber\'s helmet, or a high density foam interior. They\'re intended to absorb multiple smaller impacts and those from sharp objects. Some have ear protection, some don\'t. (I\'ve just bought one that has snap-on removable ear protection.)
One key difference between climber\'s and kayaker\'s helmets is the size of the air-gap between the head and the helmet. Climber\'s sometimes take big falls, so a big air-gap gives lots of space for the helmet to absorb the impact. That space also gives ventilation. However, when upside down in a kayak, you really don\'t want a big space to fill up with water, or in flow, to act as a drag on your head.
So, they\'re all different for good reasons. Much as I\'d like to reuse helmets from different sports and occasionally I do, you\'d be best to buy something intended for the job of kayaking.Post edited by: julian, at: 2010/06/02 14:46
Sometimes that might be fine in kayaking, but I think only sometimes. More often protection against multiple smaller impacts is required. The outer shell of a bike helmet is usually insubstantial and full of large holes. It wouldn\'t resist puncture by a sharp object (rock) very well.
By contrast kayak helmets usually have a strong outer shell with relatively few small holes to resist puncture. They either have a cradle with an air-gap, a bit like a climber\'s helmet, or a high density foam interior. They\'re intended to absorb multiple smaller impacts and those from sharp objects. Some have ear protection, some don\'t. (I\'ve just bought one that has snap-on removable ear protection.)
One key difference between climber\'s and kayaker\'s helmets is the size of the air-gap between the head and the helmet. Climber\'s sometimes take big falls, so a big air-gap gives lots of space for the helmet to absorb the impact. That space also gives ventilation. However, when upside down in a kayak, you really don\'t want a big space to fill up with water, or in flow, to act as a drag on your head.
So, they\'re all different for good reasons. Much as I\'d like to reuse helmets from different sports and occasionally I do, you\'d be best to buy something intended for the job of kayaking.Post edited by: julian, at: 2010/06/02 14:46
Re:Helmets
For the latest in hip headwear http://www.sweetprotection.com/#/whitew ... /strutter/ ........ I know a supplier in Galway and Limerick.
Pricy but what is your head worth? Jim\'s sad news brings it into perspective.
On the other hand if you don\'t mind what it looks like then there\'s plenty to choose from.
Jamie
Pricy but what is your head worth? Jim\'s sad news brings it into perspective.
On the other hand if you don\'t mind what it looks like then there\'s plenty to choose from.
Jamie
Re:Helmets
The question of helmets does need to be addressed. I totally agree that they should be used
(a) in rough water when there\'s a possibility of coming out of your boat or
(b) when rockhopping.
The problem is that a lot of our time is spent touring and is not particularly near rocks or big bump. Therefore people shouldn\'t be expected to wear them all the time. So, the problem is to get a helmet that is easy to store and is easily accessible.
I\'ve never found a helmet that has been designed for sea kayakers. It needs to sit easily and neatly on the deck which rules out most white water helmets as the side protection makes them approximate a ball in shape .
Netting is probably the easiest for storage? The Wild Water version looks a possibility.
The other problem is where to store it? If on the front deck, it\'s unlikely to sit neatly in the middle as the deck is convex. If on the rear deck, it\'s harder to access and may obstruct a day hatch cover and get in the way when doing rescues, either between the boats or over the side.
Thoughts?
(a) in rough water when there\'s a possibility of coming out of your boat or
(b) when rockhopping.
The problem is that a lot of our time is spent touring and is not particularly near rocks or big bump. Therefore people shouldn\'t be expected to wear them all the time. So, the problem is to get a helmet that is easy to store and is easily accessible.
I\'ve never found a helmet that has been designed for sea kayakers. It needs to sit easily and neatly on the deck which rules out most white water helmets as the side protection makes them approximate a ball in shape .
Netting is probably the easiest for storage? The Wild Water version looks a possibility.
The other problem is where to store it? If on the front deck, it\'s unlikely to sit neatly in the middle as the deck is convex. If on the rear deck, it\'s harder to access and may obstruct a day hatch cover and get in the way when doing rescues, either between the boats or over the side.
Thoughts?
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tadhgbarry
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:37 am
Re:Helmets
just to clarify a point in the above-
As stated, if you are taking warfarin advice would be to avoid rock gardens- However, with the other anticoagulants eg aspirin/ plavix- a helmet should give adequate protection.
Tadhg
As stated, if you are taking warfarin advice would be to avoid rock gardens- However, with the other anticoagulants eg aspirin/ plavix- a helmet should give adequate protection.
Tadhg
Re:Helmets
I think any helmet that\'s worn is better than a brilliant helmet that\'s not worn. I don\'t think that people will launch with a helmet on, just because there might be a bit of rock hopping later on, so the helmet has to be accessible and store-able, rather than worn from the off.
This suggests something flat and easy to carry on deck (or on the back of the BA ?) such as a bike helmet, until someone does a kayak helmet that\'s a similar shape.
WRT big water, when there\'s no rocks involved, it\'s mainly other boats hitting you that are an issue. While this isn\'t pleasant, I\'m not sure I\'d wear a helmet to protect myself from this possibility - have others experience to contradict this prejudice?
Ciaran
This suggests something flat and easy to carry on deck (or on the back of the BA ?) such as a bike helmet, until someone does a kayak helmet that\'s a similar shape.
WRT big water, when there\'s no rocks involved, it\'s mainly other boats hitting you that are an issue. While this isn\'t pleasant, I\'m not sure I\'d wear a helmet to protect myself from this possibility - have others experience to contradict this prejudice?
Ciaran
Re:Helmets
Watch out if buying second hand. I was almost caught buying a helmet with a hole/crack disguised by nail varnish!
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michaelcheers
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:37 am
Re:Helmets
I use the helmet made by www.sweetprotection.com
I have found the helmet suitable for sea kayaking because it
1/ has no ear protection and therefore can sit flat on the deck.
2/ it has a peak and so provides protection from sun glare and the worst of the rain.
3/ It has no holes and is therefore quite insulating so I would wear it in favour of a wooly hat or other thermal protection.
I have found the helmet to be comfy enough to wear all day irrespective of needing it to protect my head. If I do take it off however I store under the spraydeck, which is less than conveinient but a least worst option than the other locations mentioned by Des for all of the reasons he stated.
It was eyewateringly expensive, I can\'t remember how much exactly but I recall I was tempted to lie when my wife asked what it cost.
I bought it from Munster Dive in Cork.
also try this link.
http://www.sweetprotection.com/?swfaddr ... /strutter/ [img size=429]http://www.irishseakayakingassociation. ... lector.jpg[/img]Post edited by: michaelcheers, at: 2010/06/09 16:58
I have found the helmet suitable for sea kayaking because it
1/ has no ear protection and therefore can sit flat on the deck.
2/ it has a peak and so provides protection from sun glare and the worst of the rain.
3/ It has no holes and is therefore quite insulating so I would wear it in favour of a wooly hat or other thermal protection.
I have found the helmet to be comfy enough to wear all day irrespective of needing it to protect my head. If I do take it off however I store under the spraydeck, which is less than conveinient but a least worst option than the other locations mentioned by Des for all of the reasons he stated.
It was eyewateringly expensive, I can\'t remember how much exactly but I recall I was tempted to lie when my wife asked what it cost.
I bought it from Munster Dive in Cork.
also try this link.
http://www.sweetprotection.com/?swfaddr ... /strutter/ [img size=429]http://www.irishseakayakingassociation. ... lector.jpg[/img]Post edited by: michaelcheers, at: 2010/06/09 16:58
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conormurray
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:37 am
Re:Helmets
I carry an endless list of safety gear (as do most sea kayakers) and now I have a new piece of kit with me on the boat!
[file] [img size=362]http://www.irishseakayakingassociation. ... elmets.jpg[/img]
[file] [img size=362]http://www.irishseakayakingassociation. ... elmets.jpg[/img]
