Who wears a helmet?

Tony_H wrote:bullying

You're starting to sound like one of Monty Python's peasants... "look, look, I'm being oppressed".

Tony_H wrote:Fact: skiing has not become more dangerous.

That's not a fact, that's your opinion. More experienced skiers have tried to explain to you (several times) that better skis, faster lifts and more grooming have (in their opinion) increased the speed and numbers of people on piste.

Tony_H wrote:Fact: it is not compulsory to wear head protection.

True, and that's as it should be (IMO).

Tony_H wrote:Fact: A couple of high profile injuries and deaths were blown out of proportion by the media

True.

Tony_H wrote:whether you want to look like a special needs day release

Your regular use of derogatory terms for people with brain injuries is somewhat ironic in the context. Amongst our forum users, we have at least one person who has recovered from a serious head injury - not anyone's idea of fun.

Tony_H wrote:Fact: there is always a chance you could get taken out on the slopes by someone else. Is this good enough reason to feel the need to put your head in a lid?

For many people, yes it is. Collisions often involve head injuries.

For myself, a helmet simply mitigates some of the risks inherent (and rather obvious) in hurtling around in a natural and often unpredictable environment full of ice, rocks and trees.

And if some bloke with a fetish for skiing with a big green tassel on his head tells me I don't look cool... I think I can cope! The irony is strong in this one.

Please keep this thread on topic from now on, ta.

tigga69 wrote:So I skydived for 20 years and saw a lot of changes in the sport...
hard hats were for beginners till they got used by the top teams, then they became a status symbol.
Did they prevent deaths - NO
Did they improve the performance of people - YES

That's an interesting perspective. Knowing nothing about skydiving, I'd assume a helmet would be very little use if things really go wrong but guess hard landings or collisions (in the air?) are where they work?

Just like skiing though, I can see they'd have useful non-safety benefits too; a more stable platform for goggles, radios, cameras, etc.

tigga69 wrote:So for skiing, a hard hat will reduce injury if you fall and smack your head.
Wearing one will give some people more confidence.

I think the only time I'm aware of more confidence is among the trees (head-butting spiky branches used to be no fun at all!).

Well, I doubt helmet can save your life in a really bad fall - a woman fell on mogul field in Avoriaz last season and she died despite not even hitting her head, just internal bleeding from bouncing off from hard moguls. people die after hitting trees and helmets also offer no protection there. Or fall from cliffs. But still there light falls that can potentially give you a concussion and this is where helmets offer you protection.

Adders, I massively respect your opinion, and that of others.
I hace always said it should be choice of the individual.
But helmet wearers bang on about how much safer it is.
I totally accept that if you hit your head, a helmet MIGHT prevent some injuries, but not an ACL or broken leg, which are far more common.

FYI I am not being derogatory towards anyone with a "brain injury", simply making a throw away jokey remark about how I have found a lot of helmet wearers to look. I accept helmets have become more styled and fashion conscious in recent times.

Ice, rocks, trees? Not your normal habitat for recreational skiers. I have said before that helmets should be worn for certain terrain as there are obvious dangers involved, and risks much higher. BUT for your average holiday skier, I really do not see the need to be told, which I have on here, that I am wrong for not wearing a helmet.

Those that do, usually have a reason. I also find SOME of those that do suddenly think they are unbreakable and indestructible, and MAY ski with less care or attention. Obviously not everyone, but I have seen it written and heard it spoken that some of those who wear helmets feel uber confident and almost as if it is now impossible to get hurt.


As you know Adders, it is not compulsory to wear helmets. It is up to the individual, and should remain that way, for recreational/holiday skiing anyway as far as I am concerned.

What I do get peed off about is the regular bullying of bobblers by lidders on this forum, Monty Python blah blah blah, telling us we are out of order not wearing them, that skiing is more dangerous than it used to be (rubbish, although I accept the stuff about better technology in skis).

Bottom line is people need to be courteous and patient, and not put anyone into a compromising position on the slopes, therefore avoiding collisions. That goes for experienced skiers right through to numpties who perhaps shouldnt actually be out there maybe. A bit more slope etiquette for starters and we wouldnt even need to be considering danger and risk.
Yes, its an "extreme sport" but everyone is aware of the potential (or should be) risk to hurt oneself. I personally never think about any danger to myself when skiing (I dont jump off cliffs or ski forests) and the day I do is the day I should perhaps give up.

Not once have I gone off topic, thanks for pointing that out to everyone though.

Now, I think I'm done on this matter once and for all. Have I quite got my opinion over yet do you think????

Love and respect to all skiers. Lidders, Bobblers, Boblidders, comandoheads, etc.

Please try and keep it a matter of personal choice.

Tony_H wrote:
FYI I am not being derogatory towards anyone with a "brain injury", simply making a throw away jokey remark about how I have found a lot of helmet wearers to look. I accept helmets have become more styled and fashion conscious in recent times.

In fairness, while I totally got where you were coming from, I winced, as I have a friend with a brain damaged child who'd be outraged and very upset at yr comment

Tony_H wrote:Bottom line is people need to be courteous and patient, and not put anyone into a compromising position on the slopes, therefore avoiding collisions. That goes for experienced skiers right through to numpties who perhaps shouldnt actually be out there maybe. A bit more slope etiquette for starters and we wouldnt even need to be considering danger and risk.

Totally agree mate, but the problem is people AREN'T. People are rude and discourteous and only think about themselves. My holiday is always blighted by the worry my kids will be hit by inconsiderate skiers who miss them by inches or bomb down slopes they are not able to ski down. I also feel happier if they have a helmet. I acknowledge that broken legs are far more common. However, you are not likely to die from a broken leg, a head injury is far more serious. I also think you are an adult and within your right to make up your own mind about whether you wear one, as do I! My kids on the other hand, do as I say! You should not be lamblasted for not wearing one but I think anyone sensible would acknowledge that the benefits of a helmet are tebfold

If a collision on piste is such that it can give you a life-threatening injury helmets will hardly change anything, so in this respect there is a danger that helmets will give people a false sence of security where they shouldn't have it. nothing can replace the awareness about skiers'immediate environment.

Anyone else have a laugh at the bit about the bloke with a fetish for skiing with a green tassle on his head though?

I don't wear a helmet, but have never once felt bullied by anyone's comments on here (about helmets anyway).

But describing someone as looking like they are on day release. Poor taste. Nuff said.

verbier_ski_bum wrote:If a collision on piste is such that it can give you a life-threatening injury helmets will hardly change anything, so in this respect there is a danger that helmets will give people a false sence of security where they shouldn't have it. nothing can replace the awareness about skiers'immediate environment.

Yes I agree and the same can be said about motorcyclists in high speed crashes but it still makes sense for them to wear one.
I wish there were "piste police" giving out fixed penalty notices to idiots myself. That'd sort them out!