Skiing vs cycling

[PK99]

I don't think so. I sometimes wear a helmet and once it is on my head I forget it. I am sure I don't put it on and think "Right, lets go for it". In my opinion cycle helmets are pretty useless for anything but I got caught up in the scare mongering and am trying to get myself out of it. :0)

Steve

So say some folks about ski helmets (try googling some of the discussions) but if nothing else the Schumacher case should kill off the idea of a cliff edge failure mode: ie beyond the design speed limit a bike helmet is useless

 

[dodgy]

James Cracknell's missus weighing in, enjoy http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/acti...-not-just-skiers-who-should-wear-helmets.html

 

[steveindenmark]

I don't know the design speed limit for a bike helmet. Does anyone?

I read somewhere that they are only designed for a minor fall.

But I am sure someone else will have read that they are fine for a Mach 2 pileup.

I also read that Michaels helmet cracked while hitting a rock.

Steve

 

[PK99]

Yes, one instance where we have no solid information about the impact should be good for that.

No different from much helmet debate.....

Rotational injury.... No documented case of it ever having happened only academic speculation that it might occur.

Strangulation by cycle helmet.... Has never happened with a cycle helmet used on a bike only with a couple of kids on climbing frames.

Actually it is different, Schumachers helmet demonstrably did work to a degree way beyond its design specification. Much like coming of a bike and hitting the edge of the kerb. Some Protection from low probability high consequence events.

 

[srw]

Actually it is different, Schumachers helmet demonstrably did work to a degree way beyond its design specification. Much like coming of a bike and hitting the edge of the kerb. Some Protection from low probability high consequence events.

Are you sure? I'd have said "allegedly".

(And the stats do suggest that when you're skiing an injury isn't a "low probability" event.)

 

[sazzaa]

I'm sure my boarding helmet is made to workwear hardhat spec? So is made to withstand a fair amount. And skiing really isn't that dangerous, don't listen too much to the media.

 

[PK99]

Are you sure? I'd have said "allegedly".

(And the stats do suggest that when you're skiing an injury isn't a "low probability" event.)

I'll choose to accept his doctor's comment on that point.

Launching yourself head first on to a rock is a low probability high consequence event.

I note that in many helmet debates folks say they do not wear a helmet when road cycling but do when off road on an mtb. Skiing is akin to mtb riding and off piste skiing is akin to hardcore down hill riding on unmade trails

 

[PK99]

You know both what that design specification was and the actual forces involved in the impact were?

In detail no. But i have googled ski helmet design specs and from all descriptions of the accident it was way beyond the design spec.

 

[srw]

I'll choose to accept his doctor's comment on that point.

That's no demonstration. That's an assumption.

 

[ComedyPilot]

If you want to wear a pudding bowl on your head when skiing or cycling, then that's up to you. I have been skiing and cycling for the last 30 + years helmetless, and don't see that the activities have got any more dangerous than they ever were.

And as for James Cracknell's promoter/publicist wife, who the holy mother of fark is she to tell me to wear a farking helmet?

 

[steveindenmark]

I'm sure my boarding helmet is made to workwear hardhat spec? So is made to withstand a fair amount. And skiing really isn't that dangerous, don't listen too much to the media.

I like how this forum is getting so technical. How is "a fair amount" measured.

;0)

Steve

 

[sazzaa]

I like how this forum is getting so technical. How is "a fair amount" measured.

;0)

Steve

I reckon it could take more of a hit than a cycle helmet but less than a bare skull, is that technical enough? :-)

 

[ComedyPilot]

I wonder if the opinionated Miss Turner is aware of the dangers of falling (or being thrown) 6 feet from a camel's back onto stony ground hundreds of miles from the nearest (non-NHS / non-English Speaking) medical centre?

Do as I say, not as I do springs to mind.

farking hypocritical 'slebs........

 

[jdtate101]

By all accounts Schumi was not going fast or dangerously even if off piste and when he initially treated was ok at the scene. The helmet was cracked, but it appeared to be a non trivial incident, it only transpired after a while that it was more serious. I'm wondering if this could not be related to previous brain crash injuries during his driving career, it was minor but maybe the straw that broke the camels back?
I have no doubt that skiing is more dangerous hour for hour than cycling, I've seen some horrific accidents on winter holiday's, and been subject to one myself.

 

[PK99]

If you want to wear a pudding bowl on your head when skiing or cycling, then that's up to you. I have been skiing and cycling for the last 30 + years helmetless, and don't see that the activities have got any more dangerous than they ever were.

And as for James Cracknell's promoter/publicist wife, who the holy mother of f*** is she to tell me to wear a f***ing helmet?

As ski equipment has got better, speeds attained by leisure skiers have increased dramatically as has the ability of lower intermediate skiers to head out onto more difficult slopes.

30 plus years ago when i had my own skis they were 2m15 long, 3-4" wide and parallel and it took weeks of skiing to master even basic parallel turns, getting up the moutain in week 1 was an achievement

Currently i use 175cm parabolic skis and progression to parallel turns and getting up the mountain are now very rapid .

Plus piste grooming is now far more extensive and intensive with the result that folks find it easier to ski at higher speeds.

The sport has changed dramatically over the 35 years i have been skiing.