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How often should I replace my helmet?

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dadunda
Posts: 447 - Karma: 219
My helmet for 5-6 years currently has 3 cracks on the inside and 2 dents on the outside shell. My parents say that I can't buy a new one because they think it will still work fine, however I feel like I should buy one.

Should I replace it?
Dec 23 2012 3:44PM
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NotGhood
Posts: 2809 - Karma: 1,255
after a big impact (like something that would give you a concussion) it should be replaced.
Dec 23 2012 3:45PM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
Ask your parents opinions on having a vegetable as a child.

Just one crack is all it takes for me to go out and buy a new one, you helmet is probably even covered under warranty so you won't even need to spend any money.
Dec 23 2012 3:48PM
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Funnel
Posts: 7816 - Karma: 1,534
Once it cracks, it becomes unsafe.
Dec 23 2012 3:50PM
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dadunda
Posts: 447 - Karma: 219
The problem is since the cracks are on the inside they think that it still works perfectly.
Dec 23 2012 4:25PM
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nbsauer
Posts: 26 - Karma: 34
that would make me nervous...the cracks are probably from an impact, right? You should replace it.
Dec 23 2012 4:31PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
you can find a helmet on ns pretty cheap. i bought mine for like 30 i think. id say it's definitely worth the money even if they dont want to buy you one
Dec 23 2012 4:34PM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9216 - Karma: 5,399
That's exactly where you should be worried about having cracks. If the foam is cracked it's not going to work right? A car with cracked bumpers isn't useful is it?
Dec 23 2012 4:35PM
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CashmereCat
Posts: 2211 - Karma: 2,394
I replace mine every year to every other year. Better safe than sorry.
Dec 23 2012 4:35PM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
They are very wrong. The helmet will not protect you nearly as much, even if the cracks are on the inside. What size of helmet do you wear? I can PM you some really good deals
Dec 23 2012 4:38PM
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dadunda
Posts: 447 - Karma: 219
I can't tell as the sticker has worn off on my current helmet. I think I would probably want to go try it on anyways.
Dec 23 2012 5:00PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,885
Because it's relevant...what kind of helmet is it?

I generally replace my helmet every 2 to 3 seasons OR after a heavy impact. As far as the cracks are concerned, the foam core inside the plastic shell is the very thing that protects your head, the plastic shell is simply to protect the core from elements and the look better...it does nothing.

This video should certainly help convince them, it's about BMX helmets, but it's the same basic premise:

ARF Presents: Certified vs Non-Certified Bicycle Helmet Impact Test from Athlete Recovery Fund on Vimeo.



Basically, the plastic shell protects nothing, a 1 meter fall can potentially kill you in them, they're worthless, it's the foam core on the inside that's doing all the work.
Dec 23 2012 5:04PM
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ridetomorrownow
Posts: 75 - Karma: 160
helmets life span are basically until you take a tumby and hit your head, after an impact you can see on the inside of the helmet the hard foam will be dented and you can actually see where the helmet absorbed what would have been on you head
Dec 23 2012 5:34PM
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oil.
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,254
2-3 years or one big impact is usually a good guideline. Tell your parents that any crack anywhere on the helmet hurts its integrity and durability to any crash, even if it is on the inside.
Dec 23 2012 5:38PM
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Gameday
Posts: 274 - Karma: 89
Definetly replace it
Dec 23 2012 9:07PM
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BASEDRILEY
Posts: 1451 - Karma: 898
i got a barnd new smith maze still in the box ill sell you for cheep. the only thing about it is its orange. you could paint it though
Dec 23 2012 9:47PM
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BChaps1209
Posts: 1350 - Karma: 2,441
yeah you need a new one...
Dec 23 2012 9:58PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Shit that was scary.
Dec 23 2012 10:32PM
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skiEER
Posts: 4089 - Karma: 79
most helmets are made for a single impact
Dec 23 2012 11:56PM
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pussy_puncher
Posts: 194 - Karma: 69
Id say get a new one. Safety first
Dec 23 2012 11:58PM
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jblaski
Posts: 5566 - Karma: 1,078
I have a couple helmets for sale for $20 yet. Plus, and brand new Bern for $70. Check my threads.
Dec 24 2012 12:04AM
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Elmo.
Posts: 4317 - Karma: 662
i know my poc receptor bug is... i hit my head pretty hard and had 2 or 3 cracks in the foam and plastic so i got a new one this year. (crash happened in late march)
Dec 24 2012 12:12AM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
Tell your parents tart you're going to end up as retarded as them if you don't get a new helmet
Dec 24 2012 12:13AM
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Lawd
Posts: 48 - Karma: 18
this OP.
Dec 24 2012 12:19AM
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dadunda
Posts: 447 - Karma: 219
All of the cracks are really small,
Dec 24 2012 12:48AM
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DsMoK3
Posts: 467 - Karma: 198
Aren't Bern's techinically not helmets because they aren't certified? For some reason I though they were considered hard hats
Dec 24 2012 12:56AM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
The foam on the inside of the helmet acts like the crumple zone of a car, it is there to prevent your head and brain form experiencing high g deceleration, which causes brain damage and possibly death. When the foam is compressed by an impact, it has protected your head, but it is also unable to protect your head from deceleration in the future in that specific spot as it is already compressed. The fact that there are cracks in it generally mean that it has compressed and the transfer of energy from your head to the helmet and subsquently from he point of impact to the surrounding foam was intense enough to damage the integrity of the helmet. Those cracks form because of the compression of nearby foam. GET A NEW HELMET.
Dec 24 2012 1:33AM
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jblaski
Posts: 5566 - Karma: 1,078
They make them both with the EPS "Helmets" or the Brock Foam "Hard Hats"
Dec 24 2012 1:44AM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
Hmmm this makes me want to replace mine now. Ive used it for 4 years now and its taken countless rails to it as well as a major concussion last year.
Dec 24 2012 2:14AM
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Black-Bandanna
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 1,603
Glad I opened this thread. I'm a couple years and hits overdue. I hope more people see this.
Dec 24 2012 2:25AM
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skiRay
Posts: 7558 - Karma: 926
i would replace my helmet after ANYTHING major thats not just cosmetic. a dent will be fine but any crack in the shell or the foam will just compromise the whole structure
Dec 24 2012 3:39AM
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Most-D
Posts: 729 - Karma: 1,088
Agreed.
Dec 24 2012 6:44AM
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Tikayt
Posts: 1031 - Karma: 1,543
Do you have brands who are really known in the protection industry or simply any brand can get to sell some "certified" helmets. My point is that each brand has a reputation for the product it sells, i'd never buy a Salomon on Rossignol helmet, I personally have Protec.
Dec 24 2012 7:28AM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Poc, smith, higher end RED, and giro all make great helmets. I personally bought a poc because I got a bad concussion last year, but it's getting harder to find a bad helmet.
Dec 24 2012 8:50AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6666 - Karma: 10,943
In order to sell a certified helmet in Europe, it needs to pass CE certification. In order to sell a certified helmet in North America, it needs to pass ASTM certification. While you may not like or think Salomon or Rossi have a cool helmet, they pass the same certification tests that Smith, Giro, POC, etc all pass.

Any company's claims that they have "extra" protection are great stories, but there is no way to measure how much "more" safe they are since there is no "extra" safety standard.
Dec 24 2012 8:58AM
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juliatheskier
Posts: 102 - Karma: 135
it doesn't matter if its a small crack or a big crack, if there is a crack you have to replace it. your helmet is supposed to protect your head from impact and when there is a crack, your helmet will become ineffective when it comes to protecting it. there is also a higher chance of concussions or trauma to the brian. better to be safe than sorry dude, you can find a bunch of good helmets nowadays for cheap
Dec 24 2012 10:40AM
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Lucas
Posts: 4881 - Karma: 1,575
Helmets literally do nothing when it comes to concussions, helmets are just for not cracking your head open.
Dec 24 2012 10:42AM
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Turkelton
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 8,558

This is so wrong. It helps against even getting an injury and in some cases stops concussion. It saves lives and I've had enough falls to know I love helmets. And whoever started this thread, go buy a nice one and wear a beanie and goggles underneath and take off the earpads. Fits better and doesn't increase risk of injury, as Giro says on their website

Dec 24 2012 11:02AM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
Ya. Not true
Dec 24 2012 1:30PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
He's right to a point. Helmets help REDUCE the strength of an impact, so it might lower the force down to a less severe level, but at that point you'll probably still have a minor concussion. Helmets are extremely effective at preventing superficial injury, but less so at brain injuries just because of you clock your head on a rail you still clocked your was on a rail....


If anyone's interested I just did a 25 page report on helmets and a reduction in head injuries over the last ten years. I could post a PDF if you guys want?
Dec 24 2012 3:51PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
He said they do nothing to prevent concussions. That's not true.
Dec 24 2012 4:02PM
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m-ruta
Posts: 160 - Karma: 168
OP, you are long past due for a new helmet. Even if you don't see any damage, a good rule of thumb is that if you hit your head hard enough to ruin the rest of your day, you probably also hit it hard enough to ruin your helmet. Plus, even if you never hit your head, the outer plastic slowly gets broken down by UV rays, so most reps I've talked to recommend a new one every 150 or so ski days or 2-3 seasons, depending on where and how much you ski and which comes first.
Dec 24 2012 4:04PM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
This.
Dec 24 2012 4:06PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Helmets don't 'prevent' anything.... If you hit you head hard enough you can still kill or severly injure yourself. Again, helmets help reduce the severity of injuries, but don't prevent them. The foam inside helps to absorb and disperse the impact, but often your brain will rebound and bang against the walls of skull. More severe conssions are also caused by the twisting and rotation of the brain.

Trust me on this one, I got a concussion from skiing with a helmet in february that lasted over half a year. I still have recurring symptoms. I also met with one of the best head injury specialists in Canada on a regular basis.
Dec 24 2012 4:18PM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
replace it, no question. you are only supposed to use a helmet for 5 years anyways before it starts losing its effectiveness. so it's too old anyways, with or without cracks.
Dec 24 2012 4:23PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
I think your misunderstanding what I'm trying to say. I'm not wording it great either.

Regardless OP needs a new helmet haha
Dec 24 2012 4:43PM
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Cotter
Posts: 2546 - Karma: 849
The glue I guess wore out on my Giro Revolver, and the styro-foam inner part can come out easily, but this weekend I took a pretty decent smack to my head and the styro-foam got pretty cracked on the inside. Good thing there is a POC receptor bug waiting for me under the tree :) I would defenitley reccomend getting a new helmet ASAP
Dec 24 2012 9:56PM
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Royal-bamboo
Posts: 294 - Karma: 105
my smith maze has lifetime warrenty so just send your back and they will probably be cool about it on giving you a new one
Jan 7 2013 11:15PM
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Miclovin
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 637
not trying to thread jack but why dont most pros wear a helmet?
Jan 7 2013 11:26PM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
Can't tell if serious
Jan 7 2013 11:57PM
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,704
There shouldn't be any cracks. You need to replace it, that helmet is way to old and you are describing signs of stressors that definitely affect it's integrity.
Jan 8 2013 12:05AM
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