the inquirery into the Black Hawk disaster on the HMAS Kanimbla last year heard that Capt. Bingley's helmet got snagged on the helicopter's antenna as he tried to escape. He managed to free himself after submerging 30m, but could not be revivied
dpale - you believe what you read in a paper? Ask yourself if he could not be revived who witnessed the fact he got snagged. If you want to wade through the inquiry report you will find that it was the co-pilot who got snagged, and further, the helmet saved him from an injury that may well have lead to his demise (my conclusion from the damage the helmet incurred).
The comment about wearing helmets while driving is quite appro as well. A brain surgeon in Oz being interviewed for a road safety campaign opined that there would be far fewer deaths and brain injury victims if car occupants wore helmets.