Should We Wear Helmets

[Brian Abraham]

The thread on crashworthy seats, and in particular Nick's observation about wearing helmets in cars prompts me to ask the question.

Anyone thats been in the business for any length of time will know of people, or of accidents, where a helmet, or lack of, determined the outcome for the individual/s.

The usual cause is the result of a blade entering the cockpit, some thing our fixed wing brothers don't have to worry about. A couple of interesting accidents I recall were a 412 in Alaska where a pitch link to one blade came adrift while in the cruise at 10,000 feet. Horrendous vibration set in which caused both pilots (only persons on board) to be bounced so violently in their seats that their heads went through the overhead greenhouse windows and were being belted against the door pillar. They put their ability to retain sufficient control and get safely to the ground down to the fact that they were wearing helmets. Another was a 76 accident where the captain banged his head on the broom closet. He exited the cockpit and helped the crash crew extricate the copilot who was pinned in his seat. 45 minutes after the accident he dropped dead as a result of his seemingly innoxious bump.

As a comment Nick, a Oz brain surgeon some years ago was campaigning for car occupants to wear helmets because of the injuries and deaths he saw in his business which would have been alieviated.

[SASless]

Helmets save lives. Two engines save lives. Crashworthy seats save lives. Pop Out floats save lives......why would one wish to do without some means of increasing one's survival during a crash?

A helmet costs very little in comparison to the hospital bills they might prevent.

Mind you I always assumed a 205/212 blade whacking the nose off of a helicopter was one of those things that only a clear conscience would help.

[Fun Police]

honestly, i feel naked not wearing a helmet, however i cannot remember not wearing one. we are exposed to enough risk during the course of a regular work day (i do production longline work), why wouldn't you try to mitigate those risks by protecting yourself.
there was an accident a few years back when a 206 pilot in canada found his head to be firmly lodged between the front door pillar and the ground, and all he had to do to extricate himself was undo the chinstrap. there are many other stories how helmets have saved lives.
but lets also not forget about how they protect your hearing from high freq noise penetrating the nape of your neck.
wear one to protect your head and your medical and lets let the debate rest.
in case you wondered, this is what i think of my helmet: :D .

[remote hook]

I think in this day and age, not wearing one is just plain ignorant. They cost what they cost, and they save lives. It's like the seatbelt argument, there's always someone willing to fly in the face of wisdom and common sense.

I too do a lot of long line work, was moving a drill in heavy rain last summer and the electrics let go. Switched to a headset for the last two lifts, never felt more exposed in my life.:eek:

Buy one that fits, regardless of brand, take care of it, and you'll have piece of mind if nothing else.

RH

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Why should the pilot wear a helmet, if there isn't one for me?

Dr:cool:

[MBJ]

"Why should the pilot wear a helmet, if there isn't one for me?"

We spend much time and energy persuading pax that helicopters are a pretty safe way to travel A to B and it would be impossible, practically, to offer charter customers helmets. An ill-fitting bonedome won't help much. Probably a more productive route in the charter business is to minimise accidents through good practice, decent engineering and sensible decision-making.

In the aerial filming world we do offer multi-fit helmets to the director if there's any low-level work to be done and the crews generally all wear them anyway.

[170']

Hello folks. I haven't posted for a while due jobsites lacking web access.

I'm 100% pro helmet. The reasons are obvious and I feel as comfortable without a helmet as I do in a truck or car without a seatbelt...Not very!

Just a sidebar..Anyone have a DC shorty helmet they want to sell (K-10?)

I know about the lack of certification as a flight helmet etc...But I have my reasons ;)

email or PM would be appreciated if you have a K-10 surplus to requirements....Happy to pay a fair price...

Thanks...170

ps..I'll only have email/web access until Sunday 6th May,sporadic access thereafter....thanks

[crop duster]

I feel naked without mine on. I always were it even when ferrying. As a bonus, I have AM/FM and XM, can't here the music without it on.:)

barryb

[O27PMR]

ForkTailedDrKiller

" Why should the pilot wear a helmet, if there isn't one for me?"

Quite simple really... In the event of any problems it's the pilot who is going to get you down in one piece, not the pax!

I personally wouldn't be without mine. Increased safety and comfort - what more do you want?:cool:

[agada]

Dear Everyone,

Personally I feel that wearing a helmet must be compulsory for everyone in any business that involves a risk of a head injury. Coming to the business of CIVIL aviation, I do not have a record of helmets being made compulsory by any Airline for it's pilots nor any authority calling for a compulsion on wearing of a helmet by pilots on ANY flight by it's pilots. Even the ICAO (to my knowledge) does not define any regulations towards wearing a helmet by pilots. So, what does an airline expect? Put a helmet on every pilot's head before a flight as a routine? Safety-wise true, but is it practical? We certainly need to sort out the issue and get appropriate guidelines issued by the concerned Civil Avaition Authority. On the one hand, in certain phases of flight it's (I feel) a necessity, whereas, in most other phases of flight, taken to extremes it would become a pain in the posterior. My thoughts are certainly open for comment and suggestions and they are always welcome. Thanks


Hawk

[RotatingPart]

Hello Groovers,

having been unfortunate enough to have ended the wrong way up in a field after a tail rotor malfunction, I am in no doubt that a major factor in our walking away without serious injury was the fact that all 8 on board were wearing helmets. I know some pax and engineers find them an annoyance but I feel that they should be used whenever they're availible.

I've never taken a beating like it. Helmet played a big part in my tiny brain staying inside my big head :ok:.

[Two's in]

If you really don't know why a helmet is a lifesaver, I can only suggest you haven't really studied the ergonomic nightmare that is the cockpit from a "what would really spoil my day if I headbutted it during a 10G deceleration" point of view. My personal vision on the road to Damascus was from some years ago, when a Hughes Pilot encountered resonance on a Ground run, the aircraft rolled over and the Gyro caging knob punctured his temple and killed him. Must still rate as one of the most avoidable and pointless fatalities in aviation for want of a bone dome.

[tourismkelly]

Hello,

Sorry if this is a daft question, but researching into helicopter flying, I see most civil pilots (Police, Air Ambulance, Coast Guard, North Sea etc) all wear helmets. I've seen some charter guys with only head-phones on.

Thus my question is this, would you recommend someone about to start their PPL(H) to invest in a helmet? I know I know, I'd probably look at idiot in my little R22 with an Alpha Eagle on my bonce, but if it adds that extra element of safety, quite frankly looking a prat is a price I'm willing to pay!

What are your thoughts?

Kelly :O

[Gaseous]

Hi Kelly,
I always wear one in my Enstrom. I dont care what I look like. Take your choice. A cool corpse or a live prat. Your skull doesnt care if the part that punctures it is Robinson or Sikorski.
I often wear a nomex suit as well to look like a real prat/jet pilot (delete as required) and yes I have been called names. I Really dont care.

[Twiddle]

Good on you, I've often thought that it only takes a certain critical mass to get it going.

Bit like helmets on push bikes, ears ago, none, now, just about everyone.

I've seen the aftermath of two helicrashes, both of which included head injuries (minor and everybody walked away both times), but you have to think that there would have probably been zero injuries in both those cases.

Not the subject of your question I know, but one other problem though is AOC work, the bride and groom probably aren't going to want to wear lids and ruin their nice new hair-does, and how many lids does the operator have to carry to fit all sizes? (And I'm not sure I'd want to wear somebody elses sweaty lid either!)

And I'm sorry to say that I don't wear a lid or nomex when flying, but I wear both in my racecar... go figure....

[Droopystop]

Contrary to popular belief, North Sea pilots do not and never have, worn helmets.

[tourismkelly]

Contrary to popular belief, North Sea pilots do not and never have, worn helmets.

Apologies for making that assumption. Although, I must say I'm surprised that they don't. Is there a particular/specific reason why they don't wear a helmet?

Thanks,
Kelly

[tacr2man]

I have always worn a helmet, in rotary wing, and light fixed wing. The number of fatal and serious injuries to the head I have witnessed in accidents suggests its a good idea. The head is a relatively heavy part of the body, and the neck has a job coping with restraining it as the g forces rise ( you only have to look at racing car drivers e.g. formula 1) to see the neck braces they employ at relatively low levels of G . No body thinks twice about strapping their body in. You also get the added benefit of considerable noise reduction, helping to prevent hearing damage.
Most pilots egos seem able to handle the odd funny comment :ouch:

[OffshoreHeli]

If you want to wear a helmet then for gods sake do it and stop expected everyone else to follow suit.
I do not want to wear a helmet and do not appreciate others trying to force this issue onto me.
Spending 8 hours flying with your head being compressed does not do it for me.

[psyan]

tourismkelly wrote:" Thus my question is this, would you recommend someone about to start their PPL(H) to invest in a helmet?"

No I would not unless you are drowning in money. T think you'd be better off waiting until you are sure to reach your goal and have some better idea of the environment. Be a shame to spend all that dosh and then pack it in for some reason.


"I know I know, I'd probably look at idiot in my little R22 with an Alpha Eagle on my bonce, but if it adds that extra element of safety, quite frankly looking a prat is a price I'm willing to pay!"

On the contrary, I'd say the reverse. I have been wearing a flight helmet for over 33 years and to fly without one to me is an alien concept and on the rare occasion when I have to go without, it is I who feel like a prat.

Over the years there have been many occasions when having a helmet on has saved me from some grief. Thankfully I have never had need of it in anger.

Roll the robbo after cocking up a EOL and you will then discover the true value of having a helmet.

[crewguard]

Its a no brainer....

If you dont wear a flight helmet...wear the consequences.... and that might only be once in 5000 or 10,000 hours but it can happen...:cool:

cg

[chuks]

Well, that was the answer I got when I asked if we might move forward to even think about some safety gear for flying fixed-wing in light aircraft.

There I was thinking of some sort of light helmet such as that one that David Clark does and perhaps even a suit made of something that would not melt and stick to you like some particularly nasty glue if you had a post-crash fire. You can get one in pretty colours that wouldn't look as if the Marines had landed, when your average passenger probably wouldn't even know that it was a safety item. Gloves would be a good idea too, but I didn't even ask about that!

Way back when the safety bods said that something like 75% of the fatalities in motorcycle accidents were down to head injuries, so that we ended up with compulsory helmets. I used to go about with just sunglasses, jeans and an optimistic outlook on life, but I was 17 then. Now that I am 59 I wear a helmet, a leather suit, leather gloves and high boots for motorcycling. The last time I fell off I just got up, swore a bit at my clumsiness and walked away. The first time I ripped both knees out of my jeans and bled like a stuck pig. At least I was wearing a helmet, otherwise I would probably have been knocked cold with a concussion.

When I started wearing a leather suit for biking in the States I would get lip from the hardasses for looking like a weirdo and, even worse, the faggots in Washington would sometimes take me for some sort of "leather boy." I just ignored the lot of them.

Of course the fatality numbers for car crashes are the same, but who would force the average motorist to wear a helmet? Same story for bicycling, when I wear a helmet and look like a wally, especially when I forget to take it off while shopping! "Image problems," I guess.

At least in motoring we have got far enough to use good crash safety as a sales plus. In aviation we are still in the Dark Ages, often pretending that sh*t just doesn't happen. In fixed-wing the option of wearing a helmet generally is not available. Crop-dusting, yes, but not when carrying pax.

[tistisnot]

Chuks, thanks for sharing your leather fetish with us - always best to get it out in the open ....

The Australians readily renounce their hard-nose convict image to implement their safety policies - "slip, slap, slop" skin cancer prevention, cycle helmets for all ..... one just hopes that after a few years of this, the resulting generation will be nancy enough to allow other nations to beat them at major sporting activities.

Try telling an Asian on his moped with wife, mother-in-law, two kids and a chicken that he cannot ride at drive at full whack the opposite way in the fast lane of a dual carriage way (mind you, at least he's on the edge) at night with his headlights on full beam. It's worth the loss of a few hundred each year just to maintain this tradition and freedom of choice ......

[chuks]

They can make Asians look safety-conscious when it comes to riding styles, I find. I used to make it back from Tu Do Street after-hours on a little Honda 50 driven by a genuine Saigon Cowboy and think nothing of that but that was then and this is now. For lots of folks it is still "then," I guess.

To get back to the direct point here, it is a bit of a conundrum to figure out how to get the passengers to appreciate the amount of risk present in some sorts of aviation without scaring them away. Well, in many cases it is either fly, swim or walk, when flying is the best, safest option.

The problem I always have come up against is that management just do not want to move forward in using PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). It always seems to take legislation to make that happen.

I remember one madman I used to work for who thought I was being really precious to wear a headset in his DC-3. It must have been 120 decibels in there during take-off, when he found that shouting and gesticulating was really the way to go. I could hear him perfectly well wearing my headset, he was shouting so loud over the racket in there.

The two main arguments seem to be cost and image. Even if one is willing to buy one's own PPE, so no cost problem, then image, frightening the pax, comes into it. The idea that the pax do one trip when you do ten is a good counter-argument but you would still need management willing to first think seriously about PPE.

It must be a bit weird to come out of the military, having worn some of the best PPE on the market, to then start flying the same equipment dressed in a short-sleeved shirt, polyester slacks and low-quarter shoes. I know at least two guys who were turned into crispy critters that way.

Given that there is no gain in this, usually, for the pax, I guess there is no groundswell towards legislating the use of PPE. About the only argument would be that the crew still conscious could evacuate pax post-crash where if they were knocked cold they would be no use at all. That you have to wear a helmet riding a bicycle or a motorbike but not a car, an airplane or a helicopter is a bit nonsensical, but there you are.

[gulliBell]

I don't wear one but advocate personal preference here.

For military ops the helment forms part of the uniform and is worn irrespective.
For civilian twin-ops corporate, offshore, RPT etc work I see little need for a helment. Not that it's a consideration for me as the pilot, but if the passengers see the pilots wearing helmets...let's just say it doesn't auger well and the management probably has an opinion about that.
For S/E ops, particularly any external load or mountainous/jungle terrain work, then wearing of the helmet is a wise option. There have been many times on S/E jobs that I've thought I should be wearing a helmet but haven't, but not so many when flying a twin.

Fortunately, in all instances I've never had to call on the benefit of wearing one.

[rotordk]

Wouldn't the curtain between cockpit/cabin solve the problem of the prying eye of the safety-knowledgeable, but yet economical aware passenger ?

[northseaspray]

Still looking for a helmet that has better soundproofing than my regular Peltor headset, tried Gallet(crappy) and Alpha Eagle(ok, but not better than my headset). Wish the manufacturers would put some more effort into the hearing protection..

[TwinHueyMan]

"Still looking for a helmet that has better soundproofing than my regular Peltor headset, tried Gallet(crappy) and Alpha Eagle(ok, but not better than my headset). Wish the manufacturers would put some more effort into the hearing protection.."

Have you tried CEPs? I reccomend them 100% and everyone that I know that uses them does too.

http://www.cep-usa.com/

Everyone I know that uses them has either a HGU or SPH helmet, though I don't see why they couldn't be put into any helmet or headset. The website says they have kits for Alpha and Gallet helmets already.

-Mike

[psyan]

gullibell tapped gently away thus: " For military ops the helment forms part of the uniform."

Rubbish. Uniform is not worn in flight, issued safety equipment is.

"For civilian twin-ops corporate, offshore, RPT etc work I see little need for a helment. Not that it's a consideration for me as the pilot, but if the passengers see the pilots wearing helmets...let's just say it doesn't auger well and the management probably has an opinion about that."

The pilot will be in that environment for far longer than a passenger.

"For S/E ops, particularly any external load or mountainous/jungle terrain work, then wearing of the helmet is a wise option. There have been many times on S/E jobs that I've thought I should be wearing a helmet but haven't, but not so many when flying a twin.

Fortunately, in all instances I've never had to call on the benefit of wearing one."

Let me see..............now where is that AIB report referring to a 'twin' normally engaged on corporate work and the pilot of which sustained serious head injuries recently? [fatal]...........I thought I had the reference somewhere.....damn.:mad:


Best Wishes

[gulliBell]

Thanks psyan, but my comments are based on experience. 6 years in the military, the helmet is easily classified as part of a uniform (perhaps the Gentex SPH-4 swore me off wearing a helmet ever again). 7 years flying twin-offshore, fleet averaged 6000+ hours per year, no-one wore a helmet. 1 year flying corporate VIP/RPT, fleet averaged 5000+ hours a year, no-one wore a helmet. 2 years flying twin-EMS, fleet averaged 1500 hours per year, about 3/4's wore a helmet. Lost count how many years flying S/E, suppose less than half wore helmets.

So in summary. Perhaps I've worked with several hundred civilian pilots in various operations around the world. I'd guess about 5% of them wore helmets, the others didn't. So if the 95% of these many hundreds of pilots, represententing many hundreds of thousands of flight hours experience in total, see little need to wear a helmet for their particular operation, well, that speaks volumes to me. Excluding mil-ops, I haven't worked anywhere where the wearing of a helmet was mandatory.

And I think I read somewhere also, the unfortunate BlackHawk pilot who drowned in the regretable accident off Fiji last year was trapped underwater when his helmet became entangled in some debris. But still, I agree, in a prang I'd much rather be wearing one than not.

Wear a helment if you wish, don't wear one if you don't want to. Just take it easy on us guys who speak from experience to benefit the forum.

Best wishes.

[psyan]

gulliBell - I agree that it is indeed a personal preference and for many [given the hours they might expect to fly] probably not worth while statistically. But it is a similar scenario to car seat belts [before legislation]. In 1974 I was in a major motorway pile up and guess what? I was wearing a belt. 6 others involved were not and 3 died. I wear one all the time, every time.:{

In my early years flying in the far east I hated wearing a helmet and the continuous dribble of sweat in the humidity just p****** me off. One day I got into the aircraft for a ground run without it on. I now have the scar where once there were 7 stitches in my scalp, through my own stupidity. So I similarly wear one all the time now. All it takes is just one incident on the ground or otherwise and that is it for most. For the sake of wearing it it just aint worth the potential price. :=

And with over 33 years of experience in aviation, I request you accord me the same that you desire of me. I offer my experience for the benefit of others.:ok:

However, as you point out, it is personal preference. I just prefer to urge others to not take the chance.


Best Wishes


Psy

[500e]

Still cant understand the cost differential between a good mid priced car\bike helmet and a helio product.
Anyhow here are a some links to to help, bring some light.
A really good overview of the SPH series
http://reviews.ebay.com/SPH-Helicopter-Flight-Helmets_W0QQugidZ10000000002054827

A helmet I have not heard of but is used they say by G-EHMS
http://www.comunicator.co.uk/handbooks/datasheets.htm

The new carbon race suits appear, better than most of the older type of flame proof suits, but you could sweat more.
http://www.chapmaninnovations.com/products/carbonx.php

Here is a link to a cool suit.
http://www.fastraceproducts.com/page/fastraceproducts/CTGY/coolsuit

:suspect:

[Taffer]

Didn't want to start a new thread, so apologies for the bump:

On the subject of offshore flying - what SE is mandatory for the crew to wear?

I know for military flying a goon suit is required when the sea temp. is below 15 degrees (10 degrees for the crabs I think), in addition to the aircrew helmet and fireproof coveralls. Wearing of thermals underneath is also recommended.

I know that it's not military flying, but the environment you're flying over remains the same, irrespective of the colours you wear, and is not known for being hospitable.

I'm not being critical of those flying the rig routes, just wondering why there exists this different outlook on SE.

[FredFri]

Don't know if all three operators have the same operations manual.

The one I know says that for any flight to/from helidecks you always need (in addition to the aircraft equipment)
to wear lifejackets.
Survival suits are mandatory only when sea temperature is below 10°C or at night or surface wind speed > 35 kts.

[Ozzymick]

I spent 6 weeks in NZ (Dec 06) flying in the mountains with Helipro, every single instructor and depot pilot wore a helmet. Alot of the students wore helmets. I would have bought one whilst I was there but money was tight and it was an extra hour flying. When I return I will most definatley be getting one. They were using the R22 and the Hughes 300 nobody judged anyone, though the guy with the Pink stripe on his concerned me slightly. Good Luck with your flying

[psyan]

FredFri wibbled: The one I know says that for any flight to/from helidecks you always need (in addition to the aircraft equipment)
to wear lifejackets. Survival suits are mandatory only when sea temperature is below 10°C or at night or surface wind speed > 35 kts."

Yeh right. In my book, wear a life jacket over water if you are too far to auto to a safe landing point [dry] and wear a goon suit with under insulation anywhere in Europe or vicinity irrespective of the sea temp, day or night. Try spending 2 days in a dinghy in the north sea in summer and you will see what I mean. Hell don't take my word for it, go talk to the sailors who end up in the drink without. [No I didn't ditch.......training.............which went slightly awry. :mad:]

Best Wishes

[FredFri]

wear a goon suit with under insulation anywhere in Europe or vicinity irrespective of the sea temp, day or night

+1

Had mine on today...

[KNIEVEL77]

Just found this thread, it's very interesting, so is the general thinking that even in an R22 and even if everyone else thinks you look a prat, a helmet should be worn.......even whilst training?

[O27PMR]

Knievel

No-one can tell you that you should wear a helmet when flying privately or during training, that has to be your choice. The safety benefits are well documented and the other pro's & con's have been well discussed here too.

"even in an R22?" - especially in an R22!
"even whilst training?" - why not... a crash is still a crash whatever you're doing.
"even if everyone else thinks you look a prat?" - who cares! In my experience no-one else really cares what you wear.

Mil, Police, SAR & HEMS all wear them, do they look like prats?

PR

[Hedge36]

How about "especially while training"?

I wore a helmet in the mil and I wear one in the air, even (or especially) in the Robbie. Does it look ridiculous to others? Perhaps. But I find it to be hugely comfortable and - as I wear corrective lenses - having the smoked shield to pull down when needed goes a long way toward extending my day. Add CEP and life is just about perfect.

When I was training with Bristow in Florida, the lid was a good sweat absorber. Oddly enough, when I transferred to Bristow California, I was forbidden from wearing my lid because the staff was afraid that an emergent situation would find my helmeted head coming in contact with the un-helmeted head of the CFI. I found the argument slightly flawed and was never comfortable in just a headset.

If anyone stateside needs an SPH4B in great condition, including a new Zeta liner and comfy earcup muffs and sweat covers, feel free to PM me.

[foffer]

Can anyone post a link or two, to some helmet manufactors. I like to see the different types the is and so on...


oh, and btw. Great forum! :)

[topendtorque]

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200808/r285726_1217695.jpg (http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200808/r285726_1217694.jpg)

Helmets?

no don't worry about 'em atall. just like this bloke didn't.

The a/c fell on its stbd side, note how far in the side has been puhed, no helmet, pilot killed instantly when his head slammed onto the bitumen after a fall of twenty feet or so.

This machine has been stood back up on still intact skids during the investigation, note the rocker covers on the ground to allow access to check for jammed valves.

[rjtjrt]

I don't know about anyone else but I don't think I could wear a helmet and still sit in an R-22. As it is Ican only just sit in it with headset. I am not that tall - about 6'2".

[Hedge36]

I'm 6' 1". The SPH5 fits better than the SPH4, but I know what you mean.

[Brian Abraham]

As it is Ican only just sit in it with headset. I am not that tall - about 6'2"If you're unlucky you may be able to make 5'4". If you live to tell the tale is another story. :{

[O27PMR]

I'm 6' and fit in a 22 with an Alpha Eagle just fine...

PR

[CYHeli]

Brian are you trying to say that if they think 6'2" is too tall in the saddle,
it's still better than being 6' under? :eek:

[topendtorque]

SPH4; good for sending one deaf, see where the focal point of the resonating shell is.
probably useful to condition one for the torture technique of being held in a resonating chamber, (plywood box) into which very loud monotonous music is fed.
Or they could be good for giving oneself a smart rabbit killer in the event of certain types of impacts.
SPH5, not much better.

but yeah, we all wore them for years, there wasn't much else. They did save quite a few bumps from various things for many people.

nowadays there are very good form fitting types around.

very cheap insurance. they keep the rain out too when it gets very wet.

some insurance companies stipulate the wearing of them for much of the low level air-work.

[FACT Pilot]

Who makes the best helmets? I've been looking at the SPH-5 with dual visor...

Flight Suits: SPH-5 Helicopter Helmet (http://www.flightsuits.com/helm_sph5.html)

[Hedge36]

Everybody has their preference. I've never heard anyone complain about the Gallett, some of my friends absolutely adore their Alphas and some of us appreciate the SPH series. Parts and accessories for the SPH abound.

On the flip side, I know of several people who have complained about the Alpha durability and crazy support problems from the manufacturer.

There can be some work area restrictions - if I remember correctly, USFS specifies either the Gallet or SPH.