A "form of protective clothing worn on the head and usually made of metal or some other hard substance, typically for protection falling objects or high speed collisions" is a definition provided by wordiQ.com to the word helmet. Helmets are gears that provide users safety against inevitable circumstances like crashes or impacts as they help prevent or minimize head injury during those unfortunate incidents. Motorcycle and bike helmets are among the more popular types of helmets but these gears are also used in military, construction, mining, and sports.
But how does a helmet prevent or minimize head injuries during collisions? Helmets are designed for either major crash energy or lesser impacts. Those helmets designed for major crashes that may result in greater impacts are designed with a layer of crushable foam. This foam is sacrificed during collision as it crushes during a crash to control the crash energy and extend the head's stopping time. Prolonging the head's stopping time allows the peak impact to the brain to be reduced as the head is not immediately hit by the hard surface. As such, selecting a helmet with thicker foam is much better especially if the helmet is to be used for activities that may result in such types of accidents. Nevertheless, helmets like hard hats are designed for lesser impacts that they no longer contain crushable foams but only hard shells with a suspension headband that allows air to circulate around the head.
Helmets cater to various purposes. As such, the various types of helmets are divided into five types-combat helmets, two-wheeler helmets, sports helmets, occupational helmets, and emergency and protective troop helmets. Combat helmets are those used by military forces during warfare. These helmets are also the earliest forms of head protectors that were being used during warfare especially n the ancient and medieval times. Two-wheeler helmets are those used by cyclists and motorcycle riders. Examples of two-wheeler helmets are bike helmets. Sports helmets, on the other hand, are those head gears designed for specific sports events like football, baseball, cricket, etc. Hard hats, miners' helmets, and welders' helmets, conversely, are examples of occupational helmets which are being used in construction sites. Finally are emergency and protective troop helmets which are being used by individuals like policemen, lifeguards, and firefighters who provide service in emergency situations.
As there are different types of helmets, the designs of these helmets also differ. Bike helmets for example are designed in a way that would protect the cyclists against blunt impact forces while batting helmets are being designed with an extended protection over the ear preventing jaw injury. Other examples are motorcycle helmets that come with a flip-down face screen that protects the face from rain and wind.
So how does one purchase the right helmet? This decision is always dependent on where the helmet is to be used. Nevertheless, in purchasing one, say for example in the purchase of a motorcycle or bike helmet, you must always locate the sticker from the Consumer Product Safety Commission or Quality Assurance of your country. This will guarantee that the helmet you will be purchasing has been tested and has been approved as safe for use.
Helmets are indeed an important gear we must learn more of especially with the number of activities they may used for. Nevertheless, whether your gears are bike helmets, motorcycle helmets, or if you will be using these for other purposes, it is important that you have the best helmet that would protect your head and brain from incurring any injury during inevitable accidents.
But how does a helmet prevent or minimize head injuries during collisions? Helmets are designed for either major crash energy or lesser impacts. Those helmets designed for major crashes that may result in greater impacts are designed with a layer of crushable foam. This foam is sacrificed during collision as it crushes during a crash to control the crash energy and extend the head's stopping time. Prolonging the head's stopping time allows the peak impact to the brain to be reduced as the head is not immediately hit by the hard surface. As such, selecting a helmet with thicker foam is much better especially if the helmet is to be used for activities that may result in such types of accidents. Nevertheless, helmets like hard hats are designed for lesser impacts that they no longer contain crushable foams but only hard shells with a suspension headband that allows air to circulate around the head.
Helmets cater to various purposes. As such, the various types of helmets are divided into five types-combat helmets, two-wheeler helmets, sports helmets, occupational helmets, and emergency and protective troop helmets. Combat helmets are those used by military forces during warfare. These helmets are also the earliest forms of head protectors that were being used during warfare especially n the ancient and medieval times. Two-wheeler helmets are those used by cyclists and motorcycle riders. Examples of two-wheeler helmets are bike helmets. Sports helmets, on the other hand, are those head gears designed for specific sports events like football, baseball, cricket, etc. Hard hats, miners' helmets, and welders' helmets, conversely, are examples of occupational helmets which are being used in construction sites. Finally are emergency and protective troop helmets which are being used by individuals like policemen, lifeguards, and firefighters who provide service in emergency situations.
As there are different types of helmets, the designs of these helmets also differ. Bike helmets for example are designed in a way that would protect the cyclists against blunt impact forces while batting helmets are being designed with an extended protection over the ear preventing jaw injury. Other examples are motorcycle helmets that come with a flip-down face screen that protects the face from rain and wind.
So how does one purchase the right helmet? This decision is always dependent on where the helmet is to be used. Nevertheless, in purchasing one, say for example in the purchase of a motorcycle or bike helmet, you must always locate the sticker from the Consumer Product Safety Commission or Quality Assurance of your country. This will guarantee that the helmet you will be purchasing has been tested and has been approved as safe for use.
Helmets are indeed an important gear we must learn more of especially with the number of activities they may used for. Nevertheless, whether your gears are bike helmets, motorcycle helmets, or if you will be using these for other purposes, it is important that you have the best helmet that would protect your head and brain from incurring any injury during inevitable accidents.
About the Author:
C. James is a cyclist from Paris, France who,each year, participates in the annual bicycle race Tour de France. He continuously wears a bike helmet on these tours to make sure that he is saved in case any accident occurs while on the race.
