I have posted the below several times but no one has ever commented on the fact that a helmet can PREVENT an accident and also thereby PROTECT OTHER PEOPLE.
The fact is that you can
make a better case for kitesurfers being required to wear a helmet than any other sport for the following reasons:
In ALL OTHER sports (motorcycle riding included):
1. The MAIN purpose of a helmet is to protect the participant by keeping his/her brains in their head as well as preventing or at least minimizing a participant's less severe head injury DURING an accident. And in water sports, also to prevent drowning by becoming unconscious or severely stunned when hit hard.
It
never PREVENTS an accident from occurring.
2. Virtually the ENTIRE benefit of the helmet accrues
ONLY to the wearer.
(Whatever societal benefits there are in the respect that society has to spend less resources dealing with head injured people are comparatively minor.)
The
DIFFERENCE is that in kiteboarding, BESIDES having the same purpose as #1 above:
3. Wearing a helmet
CAN PREVENT a serious accident. Helmets can do this because a relatively minor head bonk without a helmet could stun someone enough so that they lose control of their kite and end up in the deep doo doo. You could get tapped by your board or dragged into a trash can etc.
A helmet could be the difference between losing control of your kite or not.
And/or could be the difference between
being able to activate your quick releases or not.
4. Because of the foregoing, a helmet can
ALSO PROTECT OTHER PEOPLE since it is obvious that out of control kites are potentially dangerous to others as well as the unlucky kiter.
I have NEVER heard a GOOD reason why kiteboarders shouldn't wear a helmet.
If anyone believes that THEY KNOW A GOOD REASON, PLEASE POST IT on this thread !!
Reasons I consider NOT GOOD include:
1. They aren't comfortable enough.
It's true that at first they are noticeably less comfortable than NO helmet (unless its cold). However, there are many different brands, sizes etc. and anyone that can get used to wearing a harness, can easily get used to wearing a helmet.
2. They don't look cool.
What can I say. What's going to happen if some less-than rocket-scientist thinks you look less cool? If you're this insecure about your image, maybe you should spend some of your kiting time with self-help books.
3. I've never needed one.
Don't laugh. I've heard this more than once. How someone can conclude that never having BEEN bonked means they'll never BE bonked, always boggles my mind.
4. I can't afford one.
Get a used one. Obviously, virtually anyone that can afford to kitesurf can afford another $20 - 100.
SOME MISCELLANEOUS CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING HELMETS:
1. I understand that the VAST majority of kiteboarding FATALITIES are due to head injuries.
2. Helmets with ear protection are probably better because your board is NOT your friend and it might hit you there. Also, ear protection will eliminate the possibility of blowing out your eardrum in the event you hit the water hard on your ear (blown eardrums are EXTREMELY painful and distracting). They also can prevent getting ear exostosis (the ear canal narrows due to repeated exposure to cold water.
3. Bright colors like yellow may be advantageous in case you're ever hoping that the Coast Guard is going to find you. But if you'd like to be color coordinated to your equipment, that's OK.
4. Although visors may minimize problems caused by the sun, during a hard fall and/or going through a wave face, they may catch water and yank your head back.
Besides commenting on the foregoing,
if anyone has a helmet which they especially like, it would be nice if they could post their reasons on this thread.
Richard M.
Malibu Kitesurfing - since 2002
(310) - 430 - KITE (5483)
http://www.MalibuKitesurfing.NET
kfRichard@MalibuKitesurfing.NET