Bill_Simpkins Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 I've heard of a few recent accidents where the helmets has shattered into pieces. Does anyone know if these were particular brands or materials? Has this always been this common? Better your helmet than head I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1 Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 UV man... (sounds like a super hero). I haven’t heard of new helmets shattering, (not that that means anything), but it only takes a couple years of avid climbing for the affects of UV to breakdown the plastic. Same rules apply to hard hats. I have a fibermetal (plastic) hard hat for work that actually has a replacement date stamped into it (ya, I’ve had it for about 15 years). I’ve had the same Petzl Ecrin for... uh... 11 years so I decided it might be about time to replace it. HIt a few of the local shops and got the same story from everyone. Plastic helmets shatter after UV deterioration. I opted for the HB El Cap (carbon fibre/kevlar). Funny, you visit a construction site and you see these new carbon fibre hard hats. Hmmm I says... What kind of helmet do you (everyone) wear? Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Helmets are designed to shatter and dissipate the force. If the helmet didnt shatter the skull it transferred the force to might. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treknclime Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 That's my understanding, too, that a helmet will shatter to absorb the force. That HB helmet looks like a good alpine "duty" helmet, when weight isn't an issue. I like the brim...and it looks like it might deflect debris away. Do folks like the HB?? Thoughts?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1 Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 You are right, plastic helmets are designed to shatter (I learnt sumpin tday). I think there’s more to the story though. I mean wouldn’t it be better if it didn’t break at all and could still absorb shock like a polystyrene? Carbon fiber helmets probably come closer to this than plastic. I’ve heard folks say the HB aren’t ventilated enough and are a little heavier. The El Cap is a bit heavier, but I decided I liked the design enough to carry the extra weight. There is another that’s worth a look if you’re interested... check out the Carbon Dyneema Helmet http://www.hb.wales.com/helmets.htm I would be curious to know if there has been comparative tests done regarding different helmets makes and models and the failures from impacts taking UV into consideration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj001f Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Helmets are designed to shatter and dissipate the force. If the helmet didnt shatter the skull it transferred the force to might. Bullshit. Utter bullshit. How is that shattered helmet going to keep the rock from hitting your head? Helmets shatter because they've encountered a force they weren't designed to withstand - they are designed for low force impacts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ade Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Helmets are designed to shatter and dissipate the force. If the helmet didnt shatter the skull it transferred the force to might. Bullshit. Utter bullshit. How is that shattered helmet going to keep the rock from hitting your head? Helmets shatter because they've encountered a force they weren't designed to withstand - they are designed for low force impacts. Not BS at all. Depending on the type of helmet it'll deform and then crack/delaminate to absorb energy. These might be useful reading: http://www.thebmc.co.uk/safety/tech/articles/issue19_helmet1.pdf http://www.thebmc.co.uk/safety/tech/articles/issue20_helmets2.pdf http://www.thebmc.co.uk/safety/tech/articles/issue26_off_centre.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj001f Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Not BS at all. Depending on the type of helmet it'll deform and then crack/delaminate to absorb energy. Thanks for the links. The failure mode of the hardhat type helmet (rigid shell w/webbing support) is when the outer shell contacts the webbing. A shattered helmet would then be a failed helmet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolyn Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Ade, How recent are those articles? I was wearing a half dome a little over a week ago when i got hit by a football size chunk of ice from about 50ft above. I suffered a concussion good enough to keep me in bed and on heavy drugs for the past week. Helmet looks good. No cracks or deformities from what I can tell. Its interesting reading those articles and finding out that the half dome tends to put more of the force on your body than most others. No wonder it hurt so f'in bad! Maybe its time for a new helmet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ade Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 They're reprints from Summit magazine issues 19 (Fall 2000) to 26 (Summer 2002). A complete list can be found here: http://www.thebmc.co.uk/services/summit/backissues12-20.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1 Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 Ade, thanks for providing the links. Answers a lot of questions. Made me a little more confident in my choice for a helmet. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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