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

From: Vaughan <vaughan_at_jps.net>
Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2003 18:55:52 -0800
[Moderator's Note: Content unaltered. Excessive quoting (i.e.  headers/footers/sig lines/extraneous text from previous posts, etc.) have been removed.]

Wet sand is not all that soft.  The compression area on the skull may be
wider than pavement but it is far less than a helmet covered head which
spreads the compression over a much greater area.  Neck injuries are the
same.  Head hits (no matter what the area of compression) then the neck/back
absorbs shock.  I know of no studies regarding the resistance of hair or
bald skull compaired to smooth helmets when dragged under water over sand
(volunteers are hard to find), but I suspect helmets slide at least as
easily over any surface.

Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Volin" <bobvolin_at_optonline.net>


> I second Steve's observation that sand can hurt.  I'd much rather have my
> helmet scraping against sand than have sand enlarging my bald spot.
> Besides, even if nature intends a beach to be completely sandy, you never
> know what man-made object, such as a glass bottle, might fall off a boat
or
> get washed into the surf from the beach.
>
> And helmets make you look cool.
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Received on Fri Apr 04 2003 - 10:47:02 PST

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