No lecture on the importance of wearing a helmet – plenty of websites and articles have already covered that topic in detail, and as mentioned earlier, wearing a helmet is compulsory in our club. We will, however, take a moment to consider how to choose a helmet. Perhaps you’re a beginner, or perhaps you enjoy doing tricks; in these situations in particular, you’re likely to fall backwards.
So you’d be wise to choose a helmet that takes this into account, as this is often an issue with cycling helmets. Many cycling helmets have a tail-like shape extending towards the back. This is for aerodynamic reasons, and some helmets have it more pronounced than others. However, studies show that this tail can be particularly dangerous in the event of a backward fall. It could also cause the helmet to twist, resulting in greater impact on the side of the head. So you’d be better off not choosing this helmet:
Fortunately, most modern cycling helmets no longer have such a pronounced ‘tail’:
However, the most suitable helmet for beginners and recreational skaters remains the classic ‘bucket helmet’, or skate helmet.
Don’t worry, they also come in polka dots, florals and other colourful designs.
You don’t see the ‘bucket helmet’ very often among speed skaters, as there is less risk of falling backwards in this discipline. The modern helmets used here are aerodynamic, but the tail has all but disappeared, particularly in Powerslide.
When choosing a helmet, it’s also worth checking whether it’s ‘multi-impact’. Certified skateboard helmets are usually multi-impact, whereas cycling helmets are often ‘single-impact’ and should be discarded after every fall.
Finally, we’d also like to emphasise that the helmet must fit perfectly and be fastened securely. Check the padding inside the helmet; if it’s worn out, it’s time to go shopping.
Info:
http://mipshelmet.com/find-a-helmet
http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/can-use-bicycle-helmet-rollerblade-with-16303.html