The Wells Inquiry into offshore helicopter safety made an early recommendation on helmet use after they recieved the pathologist's reports on the crew. From the TSB report:
Although not fatally injured during the impact sequence, both pilots received severe injuries due in part to striking their heads/faces against the instrument panel. Neither pilot was wearing head protection (i.e., approved helmet, complete with visor).
No helmet use policy was in place at Cougar Helicopters at the time of the occurrence, and helicopter pilots were under no regulatory requirement to wear head protection. Prior to the occurrence, approximately 10% of the Cougar Helicopters' pilots were routinely wearing head protection.
and
As shown in this occurrence, without ongoing promotion of the benefits of head protection usage, helicopter pilots will continue to operate without head protection, increasing the risk of head injury and consequent inability to provide necessary assistance to crew or passengers. The lack of a requirement for pilots to wear helmets and visors places them at greater risk of incapacitation due to head injuries following a ditching or crash. This type of injury jeopardizes the pilots' ability to assist in the safe evacuation and survival of their passengers.
But it seems Cougar pilots are resisting the use of helemts in a the 15-person team tasked with finding ways to implement the recommendations of the Wells Inquiry.
Another Wells Inquiry recommendation is mandatory helmets for all pilot’s flying offshore.
Daniel Bourgeois, a reservoir engineer with the CNLOPB, said it was the first recommendation the implementation team studied — believing it would be straight-forward and easily done.
But, he, said the issue of potential neck injuries among pilots regularly wearing a three-pound helmet was raised by a team member who is a senior pilot with Cougar.
The issue has been further studied, and Bourgeois said the team will meet in July to come up with an action plan.
Acting on the Wells Inquiry - Business - The Telegram
While helemt use is rare on offshore transport use they are not in SAR an military operations. Therefore arguments two years after this accident about "potential neck injuries among pilots regularly wearing a three-pound helmets" give more of a clue on the state of Cougar's SMS and safety culture.