Re: [Paddlewise] Use of helmets in the surf zone

From: <FoldingBoats_at_aol.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2003 20:20:05 EST
In a message dated 4/3/2003 8:10:26 PM Eastern Standard Time, bc_at_asdi.com 
writes:

> ... Clearly, if the surf zone is rocky, a helmet will help prevent, or at 
> least lessen, injury.  But if the surf zone is entirely sand covered (as it 
> is along much of the eastern U.S. coast and Florida), wouldn't a helmet be 
> a potential liability?  I would imagine that the helmet would result in 
> much more 'friction' with a sandy bottom resulting in a much greater risk 
> of neck injury.  What are other's thoughts and practices? ...

Not having made a scientific study of the respective coefficients of friction 
of typical helmets and potential surf-crash-dummy heads I speculate: Between 
my beard, baby bottom soft facial skin, cauliflower ears and a somewhat 
prominent nose, I expect that my head would produce more friction than most 
models of helmet with which I'm familiar. In any case, I'd rather accept the 
friction between that sandy beach and a helmet than have the experience of 
more intimate contact of this sort directly with my   head.

I'm sure that certain left coast paddlers will be able to add far less 
frivolous comments ...

;-)

Best regards,
Ralph

Ralph C. Hoehn

Folding Boat Center
P.O. Box 700
Enfield NH 03748

info_at_FoldingBoatCenter.com
www.FoldingBoatCenter.com

phone: +1-802-649-2555 -- Ralph
phone: +1-603-632-9500 -- Alv     (yup, they rhyme)

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Received on Thu Apr 03 2003 - 17:20:25 PST

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