RE: [Paddlewise] Rescue Helmets

From: Rob Gendreau <gendreau_at_ccnet.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 20:59:40 -0800
Philip added:

>Now that I've had lunch and the blood sugar is level up again, I can think 
>of yet another compelling argument against climbing helmets for kayaks. 
>Without large drainage holes, you're going to be working against the 
>weight of a lot more water when you roll (or perhaps when you try to 
>roll). If your head is coming out of the water last, as it should be, that 
>trapped water will basically be a huge suspended weight at the end of a 
>long lever (your neck and body) working against you.

I have tried this and Philip is absolutely correct. I once used my Joe 
Brown climbing helmet WW paddling. It's like a lot of climbing helmets, 
fairly full coverage with no vents. It acted as a cranial sea anchor when 
I came around to roll. Not only did the thing almost pull my head off, it 
did do the water-dumping thing. Not advised. Some more recently 
manufactured helmets, like the Petzel, might work: they've got more vents 
and fit tighter. But you'd be pressing your luck.


Rob Gendreau
Oakland, California
gendreau_at_ccnet.com

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Received on Wed Jan 27 1999 - 21:00:23 PST

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