Ski helmets - article

[jules77]

Hi All,

I'm researching a newspaper article at the moment about people wearing ski helmets and wondered if anyone would like to contribute - particularly anybody who got a ski helmet and were thankful afterwards because of an incident they were involved in.

Of if you feel strongly about not wearing a ski helmet, feel free to get in touch. You can email jules77@vodafone.ie. I can explain more about the article to anyone who might be interested in contributing?

Thanks!

[paul]

Hi Jules, welcome to the forum (please only post your question on one thread)

Last season I bought a helmet, basically after all the bad press about people injuring themselves on the slopes. Helmet technology has really improved over the last few years, and now they are pretty light, and a good replacement to a cap or a hood, as it will heep you warm (and safe).

I have had a few bangs with and without the helmet, and it does make a difference. Once someone hit into me, and their head hit my helmet in the tumble and well my head came off much better than theirs ! :P

[ultancav]

This is the first year I skied with a helmet, at first the main reason I wanted to wear it because I now use a helmet cam. But now I wouldn't dare ski without it.

After been in Serre Chevalier this year, I paid attention to other people at the lifts, and I would estimate around 66% of adults wearing helmets, most of which seemed to be French or Italian. Seems most Brits and Irish decide not to wear one.

It's only what I seen, others may have a different opinion.

[ClaireBear]

Ski helmets are now an essential part of skiing clothing, IMHO. I do know that people people didn't wear them, and we were generally all right. But now with carving skis and pistes getting more crowded I think it's important to have a helmet.

[osulljp]

I have skied the last 4 trips with a helmet. Can't imagine not putting it on now. Last trip, I persuaded all in our party to wear them and my wife, who didn't want to wear one, was surprised at how comfortable it was and is now buying one to use going forward.

My son was "creamed" by an over aggressive skier who was skiing too fast for the crowded conditions. I was glad he was wearing a helmet. He and the offender were both wearing helmets and ended up 20 metres apart after the collision. Both came off relatively unscathed, but as more people wear them, you need to protect your head from a clash with a helmet wearer.

As Clairebear points out, its the collisions on crowded slopes that you have to really worry about, and where a helmet is of most use IMO.

[paul]

The article about skiing helmets is now live and is in today's Irish Independent. http://www.independent.ie/health/get...t-2052917.html