New Skydiver (Helmet Question)

[taz9420 0]

Can downhill ski helmets substitute for regular skydiving helmets?????

[ChileRelleno 0]

Yes.

ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414
Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868

[skybytch 273]

Sure. You can use any kind of helmet you want (or none).

The downside to using a helmet not designed specifically for skydiving is that it probably won't have a place to put an audible. But you can work around that if you're handy...

[Cornholio 0]

Quote

But you can work around that if you're handy...

Yup, with an Exacto knife and some Velcro, I was able to mount my ProTrack in my Boeri snowboard helmet. I cut out the spot in the styrofoam for the unit, then put a tiny piece of velcro on the back of the PT and on the helmet padding....it works great.

Butthead: Whoa! Burritos for breakfast!
Beavis: Yeah! Yeah! Cool!
bellyflier on the dz.com hybrid record jump

[jumpy 0]

Plus safetly wise as i understand it no skydiving helmet is rated. Just read inside a factory diver or any helmet like that.. can't remember what it says exactly but something along the lines of it 'may' not supply any protection from injury and stuff like that.

[Casch 0]

Most helmets provide pretty good protection from hitting the door on exit or being kicked or something in freefall, or having a bad landing where you hit your head. That's about all their for. I can't really think of any other use, other than mounting a camera to.

[kallend 2,027]

Quote

Most helmets provide pretty good protection from hitting the door on exit or being kicked or something in freefall, or having a bad landing where you hit your head. That's about all their for. I can't really think of any other use, other than mounting a camera to.

Having both hit the door on exit (a hazard of 10-way speed) and been kicked in freefall, I'd say that these are very useful functions.

[cobaltdan 0]

"Most helmets provide pretty good protection from hitting the door on exit or being kicked or something in freefall, or having a bad landing where you hit your head. That's about all their for. I can't really think of any other use, other than mounting a camera to."


for those of us that wear contacts, helmets also ensure a full face shield or that your goggles can not blow off. as someone that cant safely land without contacts i rarely jump without a helmet.

also note: some boeri helmets have ventillation holes cut into them that have very sharp edges and a snap on the back as a snag point . when using them for skydiving you might want to put tape over these areas.

sincerely,

dan<><>

Daniel Preston <><>
atairaerodynamics.com (sport)
atairaerospace.com (military)

[Nick 0]

As Cobaltdan said one main thing to watch for when not using a normal skydiving helmet is points where your lines could snag (there was a notice at my DZ saying that some cycling helments were not permitted for this reason) cover them with tape or try to remove them if possible.

Nick
Gravity- It's not just a good idea, it's the LAW!

[drenaline 0]

Quote

Most helmets provide pretty good protection from hitting the door on exit or being kicked or something in freefall, or having a bad landing where you hit your head. That's about all their for. I can't really think of any other use, other than mounting a camera to.

To add to that list, helmets can protect from riser slaps in the back of the head.

HISPA 21
www.panamafreefall.com

[mccordia 74]

I use a snowboard helmet for skydiving.
It only cost about 35 bucks, is nice and warm, and the ears even fit my dytter (just sewn a small pocket in there)

It's a great substitute if (like me) you don't have the bucks for the real thing.

Only thing to watch is if it protects your ears, and if it doesn't have any nasty edges that could snatch a line or riser..

Silly webcam pic of my helmet> http://www.3dluvr.com/mccordia/fridge/pictures/skydive/mccordia_newhelmet.jpg

JC
FlyLikeBrick
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