John Looze wrote: > There is no set criteria for a whitewater helmet. There is a new company > making a helmet that they say it is based on scientific studies. These made > as a result of their son's death while wearing a whitewater helmet. I think, > but am not sure, the company was out of Maryland. The "company" is called Whitewater Research and Safety Institute, and it's based in Utah. The design for the new and improved helmet came from some engineering students at Hopkins. Unfortunately, the WRSI website has disappeared, and I can't find any info about the actual product except for some pics here http://boaterinformation.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=86. I've never seen the actual article. As to the criteria John mentions, the new helmet misses the mark on points a, c, and f, AFAICT. It's news to me that helmet brims cause fogging. What about hat brims? Turning your ball cap around does keep the rain from running down your collar, but... Also, I've been paddling here in Georgia for many years wearing green, dark blue, and black helmets and never noticed the heat particularly. YMMV. > As it is, it seems that > more people are going for style over protection. Anyway, here are some > considerations. > a.. It needs to go over the temple, ears, and back of the head. (Function > over style.) > b.. No brim, on the front, if you wear glasses. Brims cause fogging > c.. If you are paddling technical (rocky) water, be able to attach a face > guard. > d.. Not a dark color, it gets hot. > e.. Holes to allowing cooling air circulation. > f.. Adjustable to allow a paddling hat underneath. > g.. Not inhibit hearing. I need to add two more: h. It's gotta fit you head snugly i. It must not rotate back and expose your forhead. The death that inspired the WSRI was caused by a helmet that violated point i, and perhaps h. The new helmet, if and when it appears, seems to have a clever strap arrangement to prevent rotation. Meanwhile, the Cascade line has some adjustability and stays put. -- Steve Cramer Athens, GA *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Nov 01 2004 - 07:11:54 PST
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