Frequently Asked Questions

BRIM/VISORS:
TheASTM equestrian task group is actively researching additional test methods to control the design of visors on helmets. The European standard has a requirement for flexibility, but the task group want to move beyond this simple test. Many injuries associated with visors are not actually caused by the visor, but result from the helmet slipping forwards. Typical injuries are black eyes, broken nose and other soft tissue injuries. It is the rim of the helmet that is causing the damage not the visor.
Sometimes this is due to the incorrect helmet design for the head being worn. Sometimes it is a helmet that was bought comfy rather than firm. Sometimes the wearer needed a customised helmet. We make an anti-rok block which can be easily fitted by a trained fitter. Sometimes a helmet moves to reduce the rotational force of the fall and in so doing replaces a blow causing death by one causing soft tissue damage.
The sort of concerns being addressed by the task group are:
•Flexibility of the visor to avoid unnecessary extension of the neck upon contact with the ground and subsequent splintering of the vertebrae, which may cut in to the spinal cord.
•Shattering of the visor resulting in lacerateration or cause eye injury.
• Detachment of the visor which causes eye or facial injury. At present, there is a lack of recorded injuries from visors and the task group welcomes any information as changing the standard does require analysis of accident data.

DIAL MECHANISMS:
Dial mechanism's are popular amongst stores as it reduces their inventory and the need to be an experienced helmet fitter. They are also popular with mothers as the helmet can grow with the child. Interesting fact is that you usually get your adult head size by the age of 12. Recent experimental testing has taken place which showed that some of the mechanisms are weak constructed, others explode when subjected to a blow and one released a steel shaft which penetrated the test block. At present these devices are unregulated and there is nothing to stop a designer using a 2 inch steel pin focused at the brain stem. All this testing is subject to confidentiality and I can give no clear guidance as to what is good or bad.
As these devices are currently being researched, any information about their effectiveness or dangers from current use will allow the task group to develop a test protocol to eliminate any dangers.

HELMET CONDITIONING:
Helmets are tested in four conditions. Room temperature, soaked with water, heated to 122F and frozen to -4F. These conditions are used to represent a range of conditions in which helmets may be stored prior to use. Since a common fall is due to a loose girth strap, the helmet may very well be hot or cold upon impact. Also the water affects standard nylon parts that can soften and buckles have been known to unclip when water logged. It is probably worth saying that Styrofoam/Polystyrene starts to melt at 170F and is moulded with steam at 212F. Drying a helmet on a heater will do damage as well as leaving the helmet in full sun inside a car.

Frequently Asked Questions Part 2