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Full-face guard helmet

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80Bill
Posts: 3 - Karma: 41

My 10 year old is a very aggressive skier and has been wearing a full guard helmet. We have been told that a full-guard helmet may be dangerous and lead to neck injuries. However, I have not been able to find any evidence of this and I feel the face guard is added protection against face injuries. Is there any evidence of a full-cover helmet leading to neck injuries?

Feb 17 2013 1:24PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3604 - Karma: 3,973
Not sure if this is the right site to be asking that, park rats have no idea about helmets, they just know tall ts and smoking weed.

I personally don't see the need for a full face helmet on a 10 year old. I think a regular helmet would do the same thing. Unless your lil guy is hucking 50 footers in the BC or bashing race gates.
Feb 17 2013 1:27PM
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Mr.Mitten
Posts: 1333 - Karma: 3,976
Im gunna say NewSchoolers probably isn't your best bet to ask those kinds of questions, but who knows haha maybe not all of us are degenerates.
Feb 17 2013 1:28PM
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*steeze_is_good
Posts: 2886 - Karma: 721
Please tell me more about how smart and educated you are
Feb 17 2013 1:29PM
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LoathesRaisins
Posts: 3612 - Karma: 4,735
Assuming park rats don't wear helmets.
Feb 17 2013 1:32PM
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FreeballinPGH
Posts: 64 - Karma: 23
going to be hard to answer i think!

I am only familiar with motocross helmets, neck braces. And I dont think they studied full face vs open face, because no one should be wearing an open face helmet anyway.

I could see the full face crashing " differently" in certain situations, but I really can't decide if its worse.

Personally I'd just send them off with a top of the line helmet and mouth guard. But getting a 10 year old to wear a mouth guard while skiing could be tough.


Feb 17 2013 1:36PM
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Tacocat
Posts: 658 - Karma: 356
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Helmets like this are a little bit less safe than a fullface but lighter and more safe than normal helmets. So this will probably be your best bet
Feb 17 2013 1:36PM
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ARMADAR7
Posts: 401 - Karma: 36
I can think of no logical reason that a full face helmate would be less safe considering motocross and snowmobilers use them along with many mountain and bmx bikers, football helmates have a face mask as well and all of the helmates I have mentioned are required to be more safe than a basic ski helmate by thier industry if im not mistaken, all this said I really have no hard evidene to back up this statement so what I have said along with almost everything else on this site should be taken with a grain of salt
Feb 17 2013 1:36PM
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animeallstar
Posts: 835 - Karma: 1,245
I haven't heard anything about neck injuries with full face helmets, but if you're really afraid of him hurting himself just buy him a normal helmet and a mouthguard. They help a fair amount.
The above posts are right, NS might not be the site for you. Your local ski shop is probably your best bet.
Feb 17 2013 1:37PM
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FuckAllOfYou
Posts: 3864 - Karma: 2,518
that is a slalom helmet. the face guard is for helping block plastic gates, not falling on your face. pretty impractical for anything but racing imo
Feb 17 2013 1:41PM
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washparkdub
Posts: 266 - Karma: 66
I would say unless your son is dropping cliffs, there is no need for a full face helmet.
Now I can't speak from experience but, I gotta believe you can see better with a regular helmet.
Feb 17 2013 2:04PM
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SloanKettering
Posts: 691 - Karma: 465
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Feb 17 2013 3:05PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,297
I think some people think the extra length beyond your chin can create more torque and injure your neck. You'd have to fall twisting and land on the side of your head, so the helmet could act like a lever while your body rotated about your neck. People say the same thing about aero helmets for longboarding.

If you're worried about his teeth, get a mouthguard. Tons of people ski park with them.
Feb 17 2013 3:54PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3604 - Karma: 3,973
Sometimes when I leave my comfort zone and ski blue trails I wrap myself in bubble wrap.
Feb 17 2013 4:08PM
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Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
back when i raced we were always told never to wear our chin guards unless we were racing or training slalom because of neck injuries
Feb 17 2013 4:27PM
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Ribss.
Posts: 3442 - Karma: 3,344
YES!!! I had a friend who crushed his face real bad and needed full facial reconstruction, and if he had been wearing a full face his neck would have snapped. There is no place for a full face helmet in the terrain park. The B.C. is a different story but please don't let your kid wear that.
Feb 17 2013 4:35PM
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Ribss.
Posts: 3442 - Karma: 3,344
If you want me to elaborate, I can, but full face hlemets are flat out dangerous.
Feb 17 2013 4:37PM
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danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,833
dumbest response in the whole thread. do not buy a helmet with a chin bar and do not buy your ten year old a full face ski helmet. your standard ski helmet will be totally sufficient.
Feb 17 2013 4:41PM
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RimJobber
Posts: 3313 - Karma: 10,058
Ok, its like in motocross, a lot of the helmet companies try to keep the full face close, because it can snag. If he crashes and rolls, the front part that sticks out in front of his mouth has a chance of catching (the snow or whatever) and if it catches and he keeps rolling, it will twist his neck around.
Feb 17 2013 4:45PM
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DeRizzo
Posts: 3827 - Karma: 3,485
A normal helmet will be fine really unless he's doing some crazy stuff
Feb 17 2013 4:46PM
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,704
Does anyone have information not based solely on speculation and hearsay? There has to be legit research on this out there.
Feb 17 2013 4:54PM
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Holte
Posts: 10743 - Karma: 7,829
I've been searching FIS's site for half an hour now, and there doesn't seem to be any scientific evidence listed.

My buddy had a serious neck injury from tweaking his neck with a full face helmet in a bicycle crash a few months ago. It's enough to scare me away from them.
Feb 17 2013 11:02PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
Does not seem to be a concern of Seth's.
Feb 17 2013 11:09PM
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E__
Posts: 5751 - Karma: 4,635
Friend of mine broke her nose on a fall yesterday wearing a normal helmet. Personally I wouldn't put a full face on my kid but I'm not a parent so I don't know the factors.
Feb 17 2013 11:09PM
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Balbertt
Posts: 1585 - Karma: 4,723
Funny because its true in many ways, thats going to be one disgusted parent when he/she sees people with the user name "cum.snorkler" nothing against it haha, and smoking weed. Its ironic that a parent found there way onto NS.
Feb 17 2013 11:14PM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
How has no one posted this yet?

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Feb 17 2013 11:16PM
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
this'll do the trick
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Feb 17 2013 11:20PM
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SKIU4EA
Posts: 2387 - Karma: 2,072

agreed... but when's the last time you've walked into a ski shop and seen a full faced helmet?  I'm pretty certain there is a reason you can't really find them except for MotoX and other sports.  Probably cause they are deemed unnecessary for the sport, but again this is just speculation.   I would be interested to see a study on it.

Feb 17 2013 11:27PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5075 - Karma: 43,050
Why do I feel trolled? anyway so far I have been impressed by the maturity of most of the responses, I would agree that a full face could be more dangerous because of the chin-bar catching but the protection for your face probably outweighs the potential danger. Of course the danger of being beat up or being made fun of for wearing a full face helmet on the hill could be the deciding factor...
Feb 17 2013 11:34PM
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bighomieflock
Posts: 2040 - Karma: 2,445
A full face isn't necessary for probably 99.99% of 10 year olds.
Feb 17 2013 11:38PM
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Poop_nugget
Posts: 534 - Karma: -15
.
Feb 17 2013 11:42PM
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Gerome.
Posts: 1040 - Karma: 965
assuming your talking about something like a full face bike helmet I know its not recommended to wear one with out a neck brace so your probably best to just wear a normal helmet Click for larger image
Feb 17 2013 11:46PM
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Balbertt
Posts: 1585 - Karma: 4,723
I have a leatt brace for freeride bikin, quality stuff
Feb 17 2013 11:52PM
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LukasSchroeder
Posts: 1460 - Karma: 2,683
I too am impressed on maturaty. Thought most of the posts would be negative, but yeah. A) he probs looks out of place. B) he could tweak his neck C) ruroc helmets are an alernative but cost $99999999999999999
Feb 18 2013 12:01AM
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RimJobber
Posts: 3313 - Karma: 10,058
Holy shit. Scott makes them now? Or is this just a collab with Leatt? It looks like a Leatt designed.
Feb 18 2013 1:14AM
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NotGhood
Posts: 2809 - Karma: 1,255
ns should definitely not be considered a legitimate information source.

speaking from experience, when i was a kid my parents had me in a hard sided helmet and speaking from speculation i don't think there's much merit to a full face helmet for skiing or else you would see them everywhere.
Feb 18 2013 1:28AM
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keatdogg
Posts: 95 - Karma: 110
My DH biking experience has always been if you are going to wear a full face, wear a neck brace. I would never wear a full face in the park, but I don't know if this means anything relevant,

Feb 18 2013 2:58AM
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tripnip
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 482
I would say no. Not worth the extra weight to potentially injure a neck.
Feb 18 2013 9:17AM
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bp.lando
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 1,495
I work in the head protection industry, and can say that full face helmets for Skiing and Snowboaring are rather unnecessary. Typically I would recommend a full face helmet for impacts over 60mph and where there is concrete or rocks. Big Mountain dudes will wear full face helmets charging lines at high speeds with cliffs, rocks and all sorts of other elements present. The Terrain Park, or glades does not compare especially at the speeds your 10 year old will be traveling at. Any certified half shell helmet will protect his noggin perfectly well. Bern makes helmets designed specifically with as much protection as possible while maintaining a low profile look. We call in sink fit. check it out.
Feb 18 2013 10:33AM
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hardcoriKS
Posts: 137 - Karma: 13
honestly i can see why your concerned for your child's well being and i can respect that but like another poster said above full face helmets are meant to be worn with neck braces for a reason. i have had quite a few encounters with hitting my face pretty hard on ice and rails and have never even chipped a tooth, just nosebleeds and bit through my lip once. i would say go for a good ski specific helmet and a mouth guard. you can tie the guard to the helmet strap to prevent loss. the goggles you wear have, in my experience been life saving. rarely do skiers have full frontal face hits honestly but besides the scratching of the lenses my goggles saved my face
Feb 18 2013 12:23PM
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roddy116
Posts: 10640 - Karma: 7,553
the only real issue with a full faceguard (other than looking a little odd) is if you fall on your face you could possible whip your neck really fast to the left or right, which could give you a sore neck or break it. i have seen this happen to many a racers.
Feb 18 2013 12:28PM
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80Bill
Posts: 3 - Karma: 41
He is dropping cliffs up to 20ft., so far, and his peripheral vision is quite good. The helmet is cut for goggles and he there is no limitation to his vision. As well, the helmet has a more secure fit than the POC helmet recommended by the local ski shop.
Feb 18 2013 12:38PM
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Tacocat
Posts: 658 - Karma: 356
10 and dropping 20ft cliffs? Holy shit
Feb 18 2013 12:42PM
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80Bill
Posts: 3 - Karma: 41
I total agree with this train of thought and continue to believe this is the case since I can find no hard evidence to the contrary. We originally bought the helmet for BMX and DH Mtn Biking. I really don't see how the face-guard will negatively impact a fall. The helmet is light-weight, snug-fitting and offers protection for his face when skiing fast through steep chutes with rocks and other hazards.
Feb 18 2013 12:43PM
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80Bill
Posts: 3 - Karma: 41

What makes you think he skis in the terrain park? He's a big mountain rider and thinks the terrain park is for dope-smokin' dorks. He's the youngest team-member on the Alta Freeride Division and won his first comp for U13 and took 3rd over-all for U17. He skis fast and aggressive in varied double-diamond terrain at both Snowbird and Alta. It sounds like your friend would have benefitted from a face-guard to me.

Feb 18 2013 1:01PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3604 - Karma: 3,973
Are you my long lost father?
Feb 18 2013 1:11PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3604 - Karma: 3,973
PS. TGR is ---->
Feb 18 2013 1:12PM
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Balbertt
Posts: 1585 - Karma: 4,723
Your awesome.
Feb 18 2013 2:32PM
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nagger
Posts: 1576 - Karma: 883
you're mean.

go here instead. http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/forum.php
Feb 18 2013 2:41PM
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arnie_grape
Posts: 3455 - Karma: 11,741
You and your son kind of sound like dicks.
How do you feel about snowboarders
Feb 18 2013 2:47PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7556 - Karma: 37,286
My kid could beat your kid up.
Feb 18 2013 2:49PM
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