On the subject of safety helmets...

[poacher82]

Have read with interest the thread on Pateys, following the HH letter in this weeks' issue about BD's ruling.

Here's another ponderance on the subject of hats: should there be a ruling that if you fall off at a competition and your hat hits the ground, you have to surrender it to the officials? I.e. it is ensured that you replace it with a new one.

We all know hats protect your brains by sacrificing themselves - the foam lining compresses to take the impact, thereby cushioning said skull/brains. But equally I'm sure the majority of us wince at the cost of a new helmet, and may well think twice after a 'small' fall, a 'slow' fall, a 'gentle' fall. For e.g. I fell off on a surface recently, landed on my bum but head thumped the floor. I did buy a new hat, because frankly I was a bit woozy and within 10 mins of hitting the deck had texted a friend who worked for my fav hat manufacturer to place a friends and family discount. However, had I left it until later, I may well have 'rationalised' that the woodchip was pretty soft, my head was the secondary impact, etc etc, and not replaced it. Let's face it, it made a £12 SJ round considerably dearer. I know plenty of people who ride in hats several years old that have hit the deck numerous times, and they won't replace them by choice.

Would this be policing gone mad, or would it be a sensible idea that would genuinely help improve safety?

On another slight tangent, I never fail to be amazed that BE don't change hat tag colours on a season by season basis so that at least hats are checked annually for obvious signs of decay.

Sorry, essay over, but curious to hear other's thoughts on the subject of replacing damaged hats...

 

[indigosplat]

Well I got laughed at by 2 riding instructors at my yard for replacing my hat when I fell off and hit my head and I even swapped it again when it fell off the back of a luggage trolley in the airport and smacked the concrete floor (sad times) they said they've had their hats for YEARS and threw them against walls and still wore them. Now being a bit of a worrier I just couldn't do this! I'd rather fork out the money (a PAS and kitemark and BSwhatever whatever hat can be bought for about 40 quid) than risk falling off and hitting my head on a broken hat that won't protect me. So I would be quite happy handing my hat over but I know A LOT of people wouldn't as (fair enough) it's their head they're risking and if they've spent a lot of money on it they might think it'll be ok for maybe one more fall, maybe odd logic but there you go..

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

If I've ever hit the deck off a fuzzy, and banged my bonce then the helmet is immediately downgraded to the bin or as a bird home in the hedging.
I also replace mine every 2 yrs if not already done so in between.

Horseriders wincing at the cost of replacement helmets?

If competing road racing (motorbikes) if a rider hits the deck the machine & kit have to be checked by scrutineers before it goes back out.
Most riders: if their helmet is damaged by a drop by hand will get it checked & if any dount will replace it.

If a helmet is damaged in an 'off' - however slow, then the scrutineers have the right to either impound the helmet (in case of very bad accident) or if in their opinion it is unsafe (badly scored etc) then the fixings are cut - simples. A cheapish ACU helmet is in excess of £150, good ones in excess of over £450. They are only valid for use from 5 yrs from date of manufacture.

Non-racers can send theirs off for checking with manufacturers - often someone drops a helmet on a hard surface & needs to ensure its worthiness.


One head, not too many chances..... just dont understand the competative horseworld in getting so wrapped up in not spending out for protection, tho happy to spend on zillions of rugs etc (bad comparision I know, sorry!)

Tho each to their own

 

[kerilli]

i think it's a good idea, but there would be riots. i've seen a Pro at a sj comp ride back to the lorry, stop his horse, take his hat off and throw it in through the living door onto the floor. he was wearing it purely because he had to...
i think all you can do is educate people as to the risks and then hope they make the right choices.
it would be far better if the foam in the hats changed colour when it had suffered a significant impact, one bad enough to damage the foam. then there would be no doubt.
i like Fuzzy's idea of damaged hats as bird homes in the hedging, might have to borrow that one! interesting that they're so strict at bike racing, but not surprising. they're light years ahead of the horse world in terms of safety.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

i like Fuzzy's idea of damaged hats as bird homes in the hedging, might have to borrow that one!

Shove them in sideways - waterproof homes for feathered fings.
Ours have had a myriad of lodgers in, from the wagtails, the wrens to blackbirds - and even a family of parakeets this year!!

interesting that they're so strict at bike racing, but not surprising. they're light years ahead of the horse world in terms of safety.

They are - and have been for years.
(mind you, they are years behind in accomodation requirements in the paddock but there is plug-in at most circuits these days in the garages).

 

[Kat]

It would also help if manufacturers/retailers were prepared to actually say whether or not the hat needed replacing rather than "if in doubt replace it".

An obvious sign like foam changing colour would be amazing.

I think if people knew it NEEDED replacing they would do it but as the OP says it is easy to rationalise and not buy a new one.

 

[Rowreach]

I got fired off in a jumping lesson one time, sat up and said "That was a big jump!!" and then realised that the trainer and the other riders were looking at me with shocked expressions - apparently I had hit the ground head first and didn't even know it. My hat was taken off me and had a big dint in the front of it under the silk I would have chucked it anyway but the trainer took it away with him. However, if I'd not had the audience I might not have looked under the silk and found the dint.

I think conviscating hats at competitions might be an unpopular move but it would be great if there were some visible evidence that a hat's safety had been compromised rather than just assuming it had done it's job and must have been.