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If you're the type that doesn't wear a helmet because it makes you look stupid, imagine yourself in this guys place

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fixed

Story?

is that a non-rated skydiving helmet or an actual helmet???

edit - nm found that it is...looks like a bike helmet that it is supposed to crack on impact. good idea to wear it!

i want to hear the story too heh

As for the story, well, nothing too fancy...
E-140, moderate but turbulent sidewind, 180 with twists, multiple strikes until ground, broken femur, head ok

That is a very interesting point. A couple of years ago I went to buy a half-shell helmet at a sporting goods store. I had decided to buy either a skate helmet or a snowboarding helmet.

One of the first questions the sales guy asked me was whether I wanted a single-impact helmet or a multi-impact helmet. I asked him to explain the difference because I had never heard of either.

The difference is that the single-impact helmet is designed to break on impact. That is part of the shock-absorbing mechanism designed into the helmet.

In contrast, the multi-impact helmet is designed to *not* break on impact.

To show pictures of a fractured helmet without saying what kind of helmet it is paints a dramatic picture, but not necessarily an accurate one. I think most people would assume the helmet to not be designed to break on impact and further assume that the damage to the helmet would have happened to the wearer's skull had he not been wearing that helmet. That is not necessarily the case.

BTW, my choice was a multi-impact helmet. The choice was based on the assumption that I would have to buy a new helmet after a single impact incident. Fortunately I have not had any impacts to the type of helmet has been a moot point.

Really interesting pictures and I'm glad the wearer was protected by that helmet.

Walt

Yeah. But contrary to popular belief, all skate, snowsports, bicycle, and foam based helmets are single impact rated by Snell, DOT, and SHARP. The only helmets that I know of that are multi-impact helmets are those with a suspension or airbag system inside (ie. football, hockey, rock climbing, and construction helmets). You must have gone to a good sporting goods store. Most employees at sporting goods stores I've been to don't know shit and like to spread their lack of knowledge to all of us seeking it.

Was the difference between multi impact and single impact the hard foam vs. the soft foam? I have tried on the soft foam pro tecs, which are very comfortable. But I went with the hard foam ones (that are supposed to break I think) because I thought it would protect my head a little more, and at 30 bucks a pop I would gladly replace it if I hit my head that hard!

Just curious if there were other differences.

I got a Triple Eight helmet, so I went to their website (clicky) and looked at their helmet chooser. Looks like the main difference is the padding.

Walt

That's about as dumb as saying that despite your broken leg, you didn't get your canopy wet. If you get a concussion with a helmet that would have performed better if it had cracked would require me to take the helmet off your unconscious ass and destroy your helmet.

Interesting point. I'll start a new thread on this.

Walt

I agree. So hard foam, single impact helmets seem to be the way to go right? (as far as half shell designs go. Obviously full face bmx style helmets would be even better). Seems to me if you get a soft foam helmet, you might as well be wearing a bonehead or cookie.