Quake damaged helmets?

[Furyos J]

I see turner auctions are selling "quake damaged" helmets on trademe. They have cearly taken some impact.They are described as excellent condition with minor markings, other have broken vents and minor markings. They cant really tell how much of an impact it has taken. Is this a very safe practice?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...16&permanent=0

[nathanwhite]

Well considering you replace a helmet after less then a .5m drop off a table my unprofessional opinion is a resounding HELL NO.

if I was the kind of person who would scoot around still traffic at 30-40kph in jeans and a rain jacket on a wet day then maybe.

[Luckylegs]

I see turner auctions are selling "quake damaged" helmets on trademe. They have cearly taken some impact.They are described as excellent condition with minor markings, other have broken vents and minor markings. They cant really tell how much of an impact it has taken. Is this a very safe practice?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...16&permanent=0

Yes, selling these is a completely safe practice... Buying one with the express intention of wearing it and expecting full protection however, may not be (a safe practice).

Remember people might buy for parts, art, or flower pots!

[Bald Eagle]

Question posted on trademe listing :

How can this be described as "Physical Condition : Excellent"
When it is damaged.
"Condition Comments : Broken Front Air Vent, Minor Marking"

Selling damaged "Safety Equipment" is not responsible trade practice and this listing should be withdrawn.

Be interesting to see their response.

[Luckylegs]

Question posted on trademe listing :

How can this be described as "Physical Condition : Excellent"
When it is damaged.
"Condition Comments : Broken Front Air Vent, Minor Marking"

Selling damaged "Safety Equipment" is not responsible trade practice and this listing should be withdrawn.

Be interesting to see their response.

Oh FFS, are you joking... I'd guess their answer will look something like the statement below that they have in the ad.

"Physical and Test Level Condition Reports are a guide only and all goods are sold 'AS IS WHERE IS' and viewing is HIGHLY recommended"

[sleemanj]

you replace a helmet after less then a .5m drop off a table

In a drop of 50cm off a table without containing a head there is no compression of the foam, and the foam is what really protects you by absorbing the energy of the impact by compressing - the shell is a mostly container, energy spreader, and protector for the foam, there is very little chance of damaging the shell to any degree from a drop such as that.

After a drop of 50cm off a table, I would pick the helmet up and check it visually, check the foam for fractures, and finding none not be concerned in the slightest.

If my head was in the helmet when it sustained the impact, then I'd likely replace it or have it inspected depending on it's value.

Major helmet manufacturers like Arai or Shoei will tell you the same, as will Snell for that matter http://www.smf.org/helmetfaq#aDroppedHelmet

But this is very much a personal judgment decision, and somewhat religious argument surrounded by much hear say and tales from the days of yore when helmet technology was perhaps a little embryonic, so we must all make our own decisions on this.

[Maha]

''If my head was in the helmet when it sustained the impact, then I'd likely replace it or have it inspected depending on it's value''.

...They do head transplants now?..the value of your exisiting one (damaged or not) must surely be higher than market value?

[CHOPPA]

They will be fine. The outer shells are very strong. The reason why they say not to use a helmet after a big head knock is due to the inside of the helmet due to the deformation your head does to it

[CHOPPA]

In a drop of 50cm off a table without containing a head there is no compression of the foam, and the foam is what really protects you by absorbing the energy of the impact by compressing - the shell is a mostly container, energy spreader, and protector for the foam, there is very little chance of damaging the shell to any degree from a drop such as that.

After a drop of 50cm off a table, I would pick the helmet up and check it visually, check the foam for fractures, and finding none not be concerned in the slightest.

If my head was in the helmet when it sustained the impact, then I'd likely replace it or have it inspected depending on it's value.

Major helmet manufacturers like Arai or Shoei will tell you the same, as will Snell for that matter http://www.smf.org/helmetfaq#aDroppedHelmet

But this is very much a personal judgment decision, and somewhat religious argument surrounded by much hear say and tales from the days of yore when helmet technology was perhaps a little embryonic, so we must all make our own decisions on this.

Yeah what he says! and buy a shoei!

[slofox]

In a drop of 50cm off a table without containing a head there is no compression of the foam, and the foam is what really protects you by absorbing the energy of the impact by compressing - the shell is a mostly container, energy spreader, and protector for the foam, there is very little chance of damaging the shell to any degree from a drop such as that.

After a drop of 50cm off a table, I would pick the helmet up and check it visually, check the foam for fractures, and finding none not be concerned in the slightest.

If my head was in the helmet when it sustained the impact, then I'd likely replace it or have it inspected depending on it's value.

Major helmet manufacturers like Arai or Shoei will tell you the same, as will Snell for that matter http://www.smf.org/helmetfaq#aDroppedHelmet

But this is very much a personal judgment decision, and somewhat religious argument surrounded by much hear say and tales from the days of yore when helmet technology was perhaps a little embryonic, so we must all make our own decisions on this.

Yep. He's right.

[White trash]

Yeah what he says! and buy a shoei!

Couldn't pay me to wear one. Arai's where it's at son.

[Scuba_Steve]

Couldn't pay me to wear one. Arai's where it's at son.

you would have to pay me to wear one, too expensive, & nowhere near as comfortable. I'll stick with my Shoei

[quattro]

Well I once dropped my Nitro helmet from shoulder height onto rough concrete. It landed on the forehead area leaving some deep scratches. I replaced the helmet a month later but I was wearing it when I had a 50km/h + 50km/h head-on collision with a piece of unrestrained farm equipment The impact landed right on the old scratches but it held up 100%.

In a nutshell, I'm not sure I'd take one on a trackday but I'd consider one if I were satisfied it hadn't been stuck under a fallen wall. Would I recommend a buddy would buy one... probably not.