Hi all, Have a query on getting a helmet for river use.what are the proper criterias for choosing a helmet? In the light of reading this article at http://www.neuroskills.com/index.shtml?main=/pr-whitewater.shtml on the lack of a standard for paddling helmets (in contrast to the CE standards for climbing helmets for example), it seems that choosing a helmet is pretty much a matter of arbitrary choice. Any help? Cheers, Ong Yong Hui Singapore *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
HArd plastic shell with closed cell foam rubber on the inside(not styrofoam)to protect against multiple low impact hits. Temple coverage, for your temples are fragile (many stylish paddling helmets lack this). Forehead coverage, for being dragged on your back deck and going bunk-a-da-bunk-a-da-bunk-a-da along the bottom on your forehead is not uncommon (many strylish paddling helmets lack this). Ear coverage (many paddling helmets lack this - I have a friend who was deafened by a hit in a hole). A Bomb proof chin strap (some hockey helmets have snaps that are not bomb-proof, but they can be easily modified with cordage). Full adjustability for a snug fit (many paddling helmets lack this). If in doubt, use a Canadian ice hockey helmet (e.g. CCM),and check that the chin strap will not come unsnapped too easily. As far as face mask cages go, they are more popular in Europe than in North America. The pro is that they save your jaw, teeth nose and eyes. The down side is that they may snag and either break your neck, or keep you pinned (although I have not heard of either of these things happening). Here is a hockey helmet: http://my.tbaytel.net/culpeper/GullRiver.html *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi all, you might be interested in the following iFilm on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. Happy paddling, tom RRFW Riverwire CRMP I-FILM SAYS IT ALL Released: October 31, 2004 See this short, stunning video that vividly illustrates our opportunity to change forever the way the Colorado River in Grand Canyon is managed, brought to you by River Runners for Wilderness. See it at http://www.ifilms.tv/rr/ Watch it and forward this link far and wide, the canyon belongs to everyone, so get your friends and family involved, too. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RIVERWIRE is a free service to the community of river lovers from River Runners for Wilderness. Membership is FREE! Send your e-mail address to riverwire_at_rrfw.org and we'll add you to the RRFW RIVERWIRE e-mail list. To join, visit our website at www.rrfw.org and click on the membership link. RRFW is a project of Living Rivers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Replying to my own question in part, I read online that there is a EN 1385 CE standard for paddling helmet safety standards, though this particular reviewer of paddling helmet at Kayak news and review (http://boaterinformation.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=82) and another source says it's a very weak standard. Given that variety of designs and the fact that only a few brands advertised that their wares conform to this standard, I suspect that this is not a universal standard adhered to rigourously unlike the strict adherence to EN12277 for sports climbing helmets for example. Thanks for the information and advice provided by all thus far, those were really helpful! Regards, Ong Yong Hui Singapore *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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