Question about helmets post-crash

**Karlyg** · 14th May 2006, 21:02

Hi all.

I came off my scooter the other day, and landed on my head, bouncing on it a couple of times. I am fine, barring some fabulous bruises and a massive headache the next few days, but what I wanted to know was how can you tell when your helmet is a write-off? It looks okay - it only has a few scratches, really - but I landed pretty hard on it. I read in the manual that came with it that one should replace the helmet after any hard knock, whether the damage is obvious or not, but are they just saying that to sell more helmets? As you may have guessed, I am a newbie rider, and thus ultra-paranoid... I would really like to keep my brain.

Thanks for any advice.

**James Deuce** · 14th May 2006, 21:09

As the risk of getting worked over by the people who use their helmet as a sidestand, I'd say that if you have a headache, then you've compressed the lining of the helmet enough to warrant replacement. Contrary to popular opinion, you do not need to buy the most expensive helmet on the market to get the best protection, merely one that fits very well.

I'd replace it, but I'm paranoid too.

**trumpy** · 14th May 2006, 21:10

I have spent a good portion of my professional life working with people with severe head injuries....take my advice, despite all our our best efforts, brains generally don't mend. Change the helmet.

**bobsmith** · 14th May 2006, 21:51

Ummmm I don't pretend to be a doctor, but knowing several friends (yes, my friends are unluckly... or maybe I am....) who have suffered concussion, I would suggest that if you still have a headache from an impact after a few days, you should see a doctor???

Oh and if you have a headache, I would guess that your helmet is a write off. But than again, I'm paranoid like everyone else... I think the fact that we want to keep our brains intact is a good enough excuse to be paranoid though....

**trumpy** · 14th May 2006, 21:58

Originally Posted by bobsmith

Ummmm I don't pretend to be a doctor, but knowing several friends (yes, my friends are unluckly... or maybe I am....) who have suffered concussion, I would suggest that if you still have a headache from an impact after a few days, you should see a doctor???

Oh yes, and wot he said as well...........

**mstriumph** · 14th May 2006, 22:00

I know it's hard

but

if you have given it that hard a knock

you HAVE to replace it - no option .................... sorry

**Madness** · 14th May 2006, 22:14

It's obvioulsly knackered, so I'd do what everyone else seems to do....

Put it on TradeMe to offset the cost of the replacement.

**BarBender** · 14th May 2006, 22:24

Agree with the others. Get a new one.
You'll find that you can get a shit load of helmets in this life...but only one head.

**bobsmith** · 14th May 2006, 22:24

Just another reason while I would buy just about anything on trademe, I would never buy used safety equipment on trademe.

**Karlyg** · 14th May 2006, 22:30

Originally Posted by bobsmith

Ummmm I don't pretend to be a doctor, but knowing several friends (yes, my friends are unluckly... or maybe I am....) who have suffered concussion, I would suggest that if you still have a headache from an impact after a few days, you should see a doctor???

I have been, don't worry. No permanent damage done.

And thanks to all the quick responses - didn't expect so many. Looks like I'm getting a new helmet.

**Dafe** · 14th May 2006, 22:31

I did a nice catapult from my bike not long ago and landed head first into the track at 100kph. I didn't get any headache though. Then again, It wasn't a cheap helmet either. Perhaps the cheaper helmets provide less deceleration for the brain. Crumple zones are supposedly where it's at. Is it really a question of Money?
Anyway, I replaced the helmet with an even more expensive one after realising the value of a good helmet.
The way I look at it. You now get to go Go-Karting with a dedicated Karting helmet. Just like I do!

**bobsmith** · 14th May 2006, 22:31

I see you're reasonably new here but you'll see soon enough that a lot of us have no lives, and if we do, we somehow still manages to look like we have no lives.....

I would probably be a much better rider if I spend the time riding instead of browsing here.

**OMG** · 15th May 2006, 00:06

I think it depends, if you value your brain more than a few hundred dollars, get a new helmet. But if your brain isn't worth that much don't waste your money

Get a new helmet mate.