The Depths and Dangers of Not Wearing a Helmet

Can you see yourself with a smashed head or cracked skull because of a dreadful collision? Well, this is not an impossible circumstance. In fact, this has happened to a great number of motorcyclists who are stubbornly against the wearing helmets.

Whether you prefer wearing a helmet or not, responsible riders must reconsider a lot of things about helmets – be it in connection to their riding safety or to others. Is it really worth the wearing? What’s inside your skull? Is it worth protecting? What are the qualities of a quality helmet? Every rider must bombard his mind with these crucial queries.

Why Wear a Helmet?

Auto racing, motorcycling, bicycling, skiing, and any activity that incorporates speed, agility and a head all impose risks of head injury leading to death or permanent disability. Helmets are the single most effective means of preventing these injuries

Banging your head in a motorcycle mishap, falling into the ground and other terrible incidents or accidents can harm one of the most vital parts of your body which is the brain. In fact, it can harm almost every part of your body thus, can definitely risk your life. In these circumstances, motorcycle apparel can very well push the safety button. If not, it can reduce the risks to both the riders and the passersby.

Bruising the brain is a big deal. We need not argue to that. That is already a given fact. Since the brain controls every part of our body, it has to be given greater importance and protection.

Brain does not heal on its own. In fact, if the brain is bruised, it can lead to a permanent disability like epilepsy. However, if you are that extremely ill-fated, just one collision can take away your breath of life. This is the logic behind not wearing a helmet when riding.

What are the Two Primary Testing Standards for Helmets?

Helmets can spread out the impact of a collision and reduce its blow. Riding without a helmet on is thus a bad idea. Every part of the helmet is as equally important as the rest. Outer helmet shell spreads the force. The strength of the outer shell is important to preclude those from going further. It is also developed to make the rider conspicuous. Luminous colors are now used to promote conspicuity. Its foam liners are also vital in the sense that it absorbs energy and reduce the possibility of having a skull shock.

There are two primary testing standards for helmets. The first is that of the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) and that of the Snell Memorial Foundation (SNELL). Both of these standards test for impact reduction, retention, shell penetration and peripheral vision. They only differ in procedures and limits. However, their tests are reliable.

Why Wear Snell-certified Helmets?

The protective capability of a particular helmet is difficult to measure. One can quickly judge a helmet for style and price, and with only a little effort for fit and comfort as well. It is much more difficult to gauge what a helmet can do when someone’s skill, experience and every other precaution have failed, when his helmet’s the only thing between his head and a violent collision. The Snell Foundation knows. We destroy thousands of helmets every year to find out.

Snell Certification is our assurance that a helmet has measured up to the highest standards for protective performance time and again.

Why Snell Certification and Not Other Assurance?

Snell Standards are the most demanding. They are set to levels of protective performance that only the best, most protective headgear will meet. But Snell Certification is more than high standards, it is testing. Helmets must first pass Snell Certification testing by Snell technicians in Snell labs to qualify for our programs. Then samples of these helmets regularly acquired directly from retailers and distributors must continue to pass in order to remain in the Snell programs. Snell Certification is your best assurance that your helmet will perform its most important function: save your life when all your judgment, skill and luck have failed to keep you from harm.

How Much Does Snell Cost and Who Pays?

Once a helmet has been accepted into the Snell certification program, the Foundation charges the manufacturer for all testing, the acquisition of random samples and for each Snell Certification label that goes into each certified helmet. However, these costs along with every other production cost get passed along to you the consumer.