Helmets

Brain injury awareness has increased in recent years. Wearing a helmet has been shown to reduce the likelihood of brain injury from head contact in general, but helmets have limitations. Our consultants have been studying the efficacy of helmets and their limitations through impact simulations and statistical analyses.

As reported in our published scientific articles, some of our more significant findings include: (1) ski helmets for children can effectively reduce the likelihood of head injury while not increasing the likelihood of neck injury in typical impacts; (2) snowboarder helmets can reduce significantly the likelihood of head injury on icy snow; (3) helmet use has not decreased the number of fatalities in snow sports, but has reduced less serious injuries; and, (4) helmets may be advisable on racing yachts.

Publications and Presentations

Stepan L, Scher I, Thomas R. Protective capabilities of a watersports helmet for boom-to-head impacts during sailing. ASME 2010 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Naples, FL, USA, June 2010, Paper ID: SBC2010-19717

Richards D, Scher I, Carhart M. Kinematics of a snowboard fall: Implications for snowboard helmet testing. Journal of ASTM International 2008; 5(6) (Paper ID JAI101406). Also in: Skiing Trauma and Safety, 17th Volume, ASTM STP 1510, 2009.

Scher I, Richards D, Carhart M, Thomas R, Hurlen N, Lam T. Pediatric head and neck injuries in snow sports: Evaluating the influence of helmets. Journal of ASTM International 2008; 5(4) (Paper ID JAI101400). Also in: Skiing Trauma and Safety, 17th Volume, ASTM STP 1510, 2009

Shealy J. Do helmets decrease the incidence of death or only alter the cause of death? Journal of ASTM International. 2008. 5(6). Abstract presented at the International Congress on Skiing Trauma and Safety, Aviemore, Scotland, May 2007.

Scher I, Harley E, Richards D, Thomas R. Likelihood of brain injury in motorcycle accidents: A comparison of novelty and DOT-approved helmets. SAE Paper 2009-01-0248, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., Warrendale, PA, 2009.

Scher I, Richards D, Carhart M. Head injury in snowboarding: Evaluating the protective role of helmets. Journal of ASTM International 2006; 3(4) (Paper ID JAI14203). Also in: Skiing Trauma and Safety, 16th Volume, ASTM STP 9034, 2006.

Shealy J. The role of helmets in mitigation of serious and fatal head injuries. 1st World Sports Injury Research Conference, Oslo, Norway, June 2005. Invited presentation.

Shealy J, Ettlinger C, Johnson R. Head trauma and helmet usage in recreational skiing.  Abstract presented at the International Congress on Skiing Trauma and Safety, Niigata, Japan, April 2005.

Shealy J, Ettlinger C, Johnson R. Head injuries and helmets in alpine sports. Abstract presented at the International Congress on Skiing Trauma and Safety, Queenstown, New Zealand, August 2001.

Shealy J, Ettlinger C. Helmets for recreational skiers and snowboarders: An idea whose time has come? Presented at the F27 meeting in Burlington, VT, August 1995.