sixteenth December 2025
Not as a lot as some may assume in response to a brand new Swiss research. They provide restricted safety. Helmet use is widespread with Italy making it obligatory this season. NEW
The research was performed by the Swiss public broadcasting channel, Radio Télévision Suisse, RTS.
Researchers collected 16 fashions of helmets from numerous manufacturers, together with Oakley, Uvex, Atomic, Head, Salomon, Albright, Giro, POC, and Wedze.
All meet the European requirements for cover towards impacts of speeds as much as 12.4mph (20km/h).
An evaluation of skiers and snowboarders carried out between 2019 and 2023, nevertheless, revealed that skiers and snowboarders usually journey quicker than that, with 75% of skiers descending slopes at greater than 31mph (50km/h).
18% of individuals will go as quick as 46.6mph (75km/h).
“Not one of the helmets examined — fashions from Oakley, Uvex, Atomic, Head, Salomon, Albright, Giro, POC, and Wedze — can stand up to these speeds.”
Particularly, the fashions had been examined for impacts towards an impediment or a collision between two skiers descending at 35 km/h.
One researcher concerned identified {that a} collision at 50 km/h, through which the mind reaches 2400 G, “could possibly be deadly.”
One proposed resolution popping out of the research is to revise the requirements given to producers.
It’s acknowledged there are limitations to what these producers can accomplish when measured towards the upper speeds on a regular basis skiers and snowboarders are reaching.
“I don’t assume we’ll be capable of make helmets which might be efficient as much as 50 km/h, however we might do a lot better than 20 km/h,” stated Professor Dominique Pioletti on the Laboratory of Biomechanics in Orthopedics.
“The massive downside with the requirements is that they take a look at linear accelerations, and that’s not probably the most harmful for the mind.
“Probably the most harmful is an impression that induces head rotation.”
Professor Pioletti questions the usefulness of the MIPS rotational impression safety system, indicated by a sticker on many helmets.
“Having the little yellow or orange sticker doesn’t imply the helmet is sweet,” he stated.
It’s extensively believed helmets are efficient for glancing blows and at slower speeds however the brand new survey appears to conclude there may be room for enchancment in design.
It additionally appears skiers and snowboarders ought to be extra conscious of the particular and actual safety helmets provide.
See right here for the total report on RTA.
This winter Italy has made helmets obligatory throughout its ski resorts:
PlanetSKI’s Jane Peel and James Cove in Pila, Italy. Picture © PlanetSKI
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