Helmets

Pennpromo · 28-01-2006, 10:42 AM

Just a couple of notes RE Helmets for those of you doing the Brass Monkey:
As many of you may know the RYA is under stringent watch from MAIB after the unfortunate incident in Weymouth last year.
One result of this is that the RYA have been told to make a mandatory helmet standard, not a recommendation as was previously in the rules.
Unfortunately there is not a suitable standard yet published for marine crash helmets. The PAS standard is for what one could call "bump helmets", the impact rating is far lower than that for a motorcycle helmet.
The RYA has commissioned Quinetiq to conduct a helmet survey, many of you kindly answered questionnaires, the results of this survey are due to be published at the end of February. (At which time firm rule definitions will be laid down, to include BS6658)
In the mean time Quinetiq have advised the RYA that all helmets should be to BS6658 or higher. This can include Snell standards and also the new CE motorcycle standards.
Scrutineers have been asked to be quite vigilent in the policing of this new rule. The onus of proof of compatability and compliance is on the competitor.
We also want to be practical; if you have a helmet painted orange with no sticker, go onto the internet, find a description of the helmet at a vendor who is selling it with the standard detailed, print it out and bring it to the race, that proves compliance.
Similarly if you have a very old ropey helmet with frayed strap you are likely to have it refused, have athink about it ...
As Tony D. Says heads are a one off commodity; protection is vital.
It is very unfortunate that yet again we have to bring in another onerous rule but we do live in a litagious society now, full of monitoring, health & safety, accident reporting and risk assesments, we do need to comply.
Probably enough said ...

BluFin · 28-01-2006, 11:58 AM

Dont forget there are two types of sticker issued by the ACU The old style has a single gold band and is no lonnger accepted for race use the replacement has a dual boarder / band which is the current standard.

JFYI look at the stickers

verytricky · 28-01-2006, 01:17 PM

I have communica helmets, with no stickers. What is the implication of this?

Gav · 28-01-2006, 04:00 PM

my helmets have ECER22.05 0n them is this ok? they are Nitro racing type.........

roofer · 28-01-2006, 04:15 PM

Everything you need to know about helmets http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/hatz/

BluFin · 28-01-2006, 05:29 PM

Havent a clue but I was talking ACU
Their policy is no dual band sticker you cannot use it.
But it all gets very messy as some lids have ACU but no BS so they cant be used on the road, examples are some Sipson & roof models which are race approved with no BS sticker

scottyboy · 28-01-2006, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gav
my helmets have ECER22.05 0n them is this ok? they are Nitro racing type.........

Gav,
Have yours got the gold square sticker at the base on the back? Mine have the same and are also made by nitro! Think the gold sticker is proof of temple testing and means bs6658 standard! Either way The 2006 PB1 book says:
All helmets must confirm to minimum BS6658 standard with temple protection and must be coloured orange HOWEVER, the efficiency of the helmet is the responsibility of the wearer!

Gav · 28-01-2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottyboy
Gav,
Have yours got the gold square sticker at the base on the back? Mine have the same and are also made by nitro! Think the gold sticker is proof of temple testing and means bs6658 standard! Either way The 2006 PB1 book says:
All helmets must confirm to minimum BS6658 standard with temple protection and must be coloured orange HOWEVER, the efficiency of the helmet is the responsibility of the wearer!

cool, my helmets have been sprayed, no gold sticker on the back! but has a blue sticker with the ECE22.05 on it.......?

scottyboy · 28-01-2006, 08:22 PM

Ignore the ece2205 number that is just a nitro number something to do with the size i think? Mate at the end of the day the r.y.a just want your money the worst they will do aslong as the helmets fit you and they are mostly orange is tell you not to wear em next time but this time is ok! Im wearing my nitro helmet!

Gav · 28-01-2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottyboy
Ignore the ece2205 number that is just a nitro number something to do with the size i think? Mate at the end of the day the r.y.a just want your money the worst they will do aslong as the helmets fit you and they are mostly orange is tell you not to wear em next time but this time is ok! Im wearing my nitro helmet!

"In a typical large motorcycle dealership you're likely to find helmets that conform to all these standards. Most U.S.-market full-face helmets made in Asia—Arai, HJC, Icon, KBC, ScorpionExo, Shoei, and most Fulmer models—are Snell M2000 or M2005 certified. (The Snell standard did not change substantially from M2000 to M2005.) Most helmets from European companies—Vemar, Shark, Schuberth, etc.—conform to the ECE 22-05 standard. "

JBP · 28-01-2006, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottyboy
Ignore the ece2205 number that is just a nitro number something to do with the size i think?

the ECE22.05 is an amendment to BS6658 as noted on the BSI web site, not size or specific to Nitro.

JBP · 28-01-2006, 11:10 PM

hope you can read this...

JBP · 28-01-2006, 11:20 PM

this is what the text says.

BS 6658:1985 specifies the requirements for helmets for riders, drivers and passengers of motor vehicles including participants in competitive events, for whom a high-performance option is included.

ECE Regulation 22.05 series of amendments specifies regulations for protective helmets for drivers and passengers of mopeds and of motor cycles with or without side-car and to the visors fitted to such helmets or intended to be added to them.

hope that helps

Ciao · 30-01-2006, 12:21 AM

Simon, unfortunately I am going back boat racing this year. I need a hat, anything you can recommend?

(Loved the Simpson in ’83!!!)

Also Life Jacket recommendations.

Pennpromo · 30-01-2006, 07:37 AM

John, what on earth would you want to go back into racing for ! Why not just tear up loads of money, at least at your age you will still be able to walk the next morning doing that !
As far as helmets go I would recommend a helmet to ACU gold standard, as per Blufin's Email. If you go for that you know you have the best and that it will pass any future mandates. Snell is also more than acceptable.
Powerboat Racing has to think carefully about helmets, unlike motorsport we don't (yet) impose a maximum age on safety gear, (5 yrs),it may come, (I'm not saying it will, be the way !).
As I said earlier you only get one head and in my view you can't do better than a decent quality full face helmet with a double "D" ring strap, very little to go wrong or corrode there.
If you hit the dash or stuff an open boat you will appreciate full face, (Roof are a good option with the lifting front, see them on Ebay).
Do make sure that it fits well, put it on and shake your head forward and back it should be snug and not move, keep al steel bits greased with a little Vaseline, (especially mechanical fastening clips), Keep it in a padded helmet bag. Stick it in the airing cupboard after a race, don't drop it, cosset it , its there to protect your brain !

Cookee · 30-01-2006, 09:05 AM

And my 1 year old helmet - specifacally approved by the RYA is now useless - thanks RYA!

Tony Davis · 30-01-2006, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cookee
And my 1 year old helmet - specifacally approved by the RYA is now useless - thanks RYA!

Gecko I spose?

Jon Fuller · 30-01-2006, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cookee
And my 1 year old helmet - specifacally approved by the RYA is now useless - thanks RYA!

I don't think that's very fair! don't get me wrong, as you know, the RYA are far from my fave org, but if they change a rule in the name of safety, based on lessons learned last season, bashing em for that is daft and unfair.

BluFin · 30-01-2006, 10:05 AM

Lets chuck some more petrol on a fire "Wooosh"

It used to be the case that any ruel change required two years notice, unless it was a Saftey issue which could be implemented at any time without notice. I'm sure this would fall under that catagory if still in the book.
At the end of the day "Its on your Head" with the incident last year things always move from the back burner and become topical this is a classic case.
As far as impact protection goes Then it should be an ACU "Gold" double boarder, but then style & use are diffferent for boats, do you need the full impact caperbilities??
The best thing to come from it is a proper survey / study into cause-effect-protection as applicable to powerboats.

Use of limes seems to be quite effective...........................

JBP · 30-01-2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BluFin

The best thing to come from it is a proper survey / study into cause-effect-protection as applicable to powerboats.

I think that's what's been commisioned by the RYA...