| Safety
Information The
toughest testing requirements for ski helmets are currently
imposed by CE-tests, including impact damping capabilities,
effectiveness of the strap system as well as range of
vision.
All ALPINA helmets comply with the latest European CE
EN 1077 standard.
The new helmet adapting system
by ALPINA:
A convenient rotary knob allows quick and optimum helmet
adjustment, even at each head size. The RUNSYSTEM surrounds
the back of the head in a particulary comfortable way
and guarantees an absolutely perfect fit.
Inmolding technology enables complete
bonding of the shell and rigid foam by means of a compression-molding
process.
This results in an extremely stable, yet light-weight
helmet offering significantly higher protection against
mechanical impact (e.g. crashes involving sharp or pointed
objects) compared to (usually spot-bonded only) adhesion-bonded
helmets.
Each year, between 12,000
and 16,000 skiers and boarders leave the slopes with
head injuries, which account for about 14 percent of
all snowsliding injuries, reports the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Only a few years ago, a non-racer
wearing a helmet on the slopes was almost as rare as
a snowboarder in Taos. Today, helmeted skiers and boarders,
adults and children alike, can be seen at every resort
in the World.
But even with helmets flying off store
shelves, the percentage of skiers and boarders wearing
them remains small; estimates hover around 5 percent.
For many non-helmeted snowsliders, certain questions
remain:
Do helmets really work?
"When head banging occurs, helmets
can do a lot to lessen the damage", contends Dr.
Stewart Levy, a neurosurgeon at InterMountain Neurosurgery
& Neuroscience, a division of St. Anthony's Central
Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
Results of the French campaign "Put
your helmet on!":
The French campaign "Put your
helmet on!" began in 1994 with the aim of encouraging
and educating all children in the safety benefits of
helmet use.
It was pointed out that other head
protections are simply not sufficient in removing the
risk of head injury.
Now, 90% of the kids < 10years
wear a helmet in France.
How a helmet works?
The most common head injuries among
skiers are impact injuries:
Damage to the skull occurs at the
point of impact.
Often, the collision makes the brain
bounce inside the skull, also causing damage to the
part of the brain opposite the point of impact. Helmets
can reduce the severity of impact on both sides of the
brain.
What about the helmet standards?
The main current norms regarding alpine
helmets are CE-EN 1077 and ASTM F-2040. Only helmets
answering to these norms ensure a real protection. In
Europe, to conform to the EPI guideline (individual
protection equipment), alpine helmets must be validated
according to the CE-EN 1077 by an accredited European
laboratory (i.e.: TÜV).
CE-EN 1077: European
certification standard for "protective helmets".
This European norm specifies the minimum performance
requirements and the test methods concerning the helmets,
which should be worn by alpine skiers, including kids
and competitors. These corresponding prescriptions and
test methods cover the following topics: construction,
including field of view; impact energy absorption capacities;
penetration resistance; retention system features; branding
and information.
TÜV: It is a certification organisation
that is accredited in Europe to test and certify products
to the European standard.
ASTM- F 2040: ASTM means American
Society for Testing and Materials. This North American
Society recommendation defines performance requirements
for helmets used by non-motorised recreational snow
sports (i.e. skiing, snowboarding, and other alpine
sports). This specification is a performance recommendation
and is not intended to restrict design. This recommendation
from the ASTM committee differs from the CE standard
in that it uses different impact energy and requirements,
applies a hemispherical anvil and an edge anvil and
does not apply a penetration test.
What about using a helmet
again after receiving a shock?
The helmet may, after receiving an
impact, be damaged to the point that it is no longer
adequate to protect your head against further impacts.
This damage may be not visible, so it must be replaced
even if it seems to be in good condition. No helmets,
even motorcycles ones, can resist at a multishock impact
without damages.
What is the role of style
and comfort?
Forget statistics, forget scientific
evidence, style and comfort are often the main barriers
to skiers wearing helmets. Many think a helmet screams
"geek;" others complain that a lid is too
hot or that it muffles sound. But these barriers are
beginning to crumble. Psychologically people are becoming
more comfortable with helmets. Fewer feel like it will
make them look wimpy. In fact the image perception is
starting to swing the other way especially among snowboarders.
It portrays a more extreme attitude.
Helmets are increasingly user-friendly
as well, with manufacturers offering better ventilation,
lighter-weight materials, improved sightlines, and removable
liners, less obstruction to hearing and more style-conscious
designs.
When buying a helmet, consider choosing
one that has met established standards, such as the
Central European Norm, the ASTM standard, which was
finalised earlier this year, or two standards (one for
racers) by the Snell Memorial Foundation in North Highlands,
California. To meet one of these standards, a helmet
must pass rigorous tests of stability, head coverage
and impact protection.
Head-coverage standards are relatively
high for snowsports helmets, so some "shorty"
or half-helmets may not meet them. Sorting through the
various standards can be confusing. The important thing
to remember is that choosing an approved helmet helps
ensure that it will be effective when you need it to
be.
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, all helmets
are not equal. Just as different brands and styles of
shoes are more suited to your foot shape, some helmets
will fit your head better than others.
Here are some tips from the Snell
Memorial Foundation, a helmet-testing organisation,
to ensure a good fit.
Adapted
Place the helmet level on your head,
so that it sits low on your forehead. If you tilt your
eyes upward, you should be able to see the edge of the
helmet.
Good Stability
Adjust the chin-strap so that when
buckled it holds the helmet firmly in place. Try to
remove the helmet without undoing the chin-strap. If
it comes off or shifts over your eyes, readjust and
try again. You should not be able to move it more than
an inch in any direction. If no adjustment seems to
work, this helmet is not for you.
Good adjustment, Ventilation
and materials.
Test your strap adjustment each time
you put on your helmet; otherwise it may not work when
you need it to. It will also pay to be choosy in terms
of design. Consider which features will be important
to you. For some, ventilation is key, while others are
concerned about weight or goggle-compatibility. With
any design, test its effect on your hearing and field
of vision before you buy.
After any big crash, or heavy impact,
it's important to replace your helmet. Most helmets
use a crushable liner made of expanded polystyrene (EPS),
which can only handle one hard thump. Generally, the
damage will be visible on the helmet.
Some helmets use expanded polypropylene
(EPP), which slowly rebounds after crushing, allowing
it to take more than one small to medium-sized hit.
Its effectiveness does diminish with each impact, however,
even if it appears undamaged, so the helmet should be
replaced after several smaller crashes or one severe
blow. Some companies offer to replace the helmet at
a discounted price if you've been involved in a serious
crash.
CONCLUSION
"Each year, in the US, between
12,000 and 16,000 skiers and boarders leave the slopes
with head injuries, which account for about 14 percent
of all snowsliding injuries" (Source CPSC).
"Helmets could prevent or reduce
the severity of nearly 8 000 on-slope head injuries
each year". Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Colorado neurosurgeons studied 395
skiers and snowboarders with head injuries. They concluded
that helmets may have prevented or reduced the severity
of injury in many of these instances.
Helmets are increasingly user-friendly
as well, with manufacturers offering better ventilation,
lighter-weight materials, improved sightlines, and removable
liners, less obstruction to hearing and more style-conscious
designs.
Wearing a helmet helps to
prevent injuries from falls and collisions. |
