Flipped my kart, do I need a new helmet?

Darren Swisher

In my opinion, I would get a new one. Even if the shell has no visible breakage, there are tiny fractures for sure, another hit in that locaion will lessen the ability for the shell to disipate energy over a wide area, in result putting most of the force directly under that spot.

Get it checked, but In my opinion a new helmet is cheap insurance.

Darren

Debbie Kuntze

As Jeff said, contact Simpson. I flipped pretty good at Firebird 8 years ago and the only place I wasn't hurt was my head (had some internals). Helmet had a cracked visor and scuff marks (some deep, but not through core. I called Simpson, told them of the accident, my injuries and how well the helmet did its job. Up front I was told not to reuse it becasue of the force and times I bounced on the pavement on it.They asked for me to send it in. It was deemed a good test subject, they kept it and gave me a great price (not even a 1/4 of original) at the time for a new one. Deb K

Robert Joe · Joined: 17 Sep 2001 Posts: 7

I have a 6 month old Simpson helmet.
Yesterday I hit someone from behind and my kart went flying over his and flipped over. I hit my head pretty hard. The impact area on the helmet is scuffed up but the helmet is not cracked. I heard helmets are designed for one good impact. Do I need to buy a new helmet?

Chaz Clover · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 879

It's kinda up to you, but consider this:

Your helmet did it's job. It saved your skull and perhaps your life. Retire it and get a new one.

Chaz Clover
http://www.kartmonster.com

quote:
Originally posted by Robert Joe:
I have a 6 month old Simpson helmet.
Yesterday I hit someone from behind and my kart went flying over his and flipped over. I hit my head pretty hard. The impact area on the helmet is scuffed up but the helmet is not cracked. I heard helmets are designed for one good impact. Do I need to buy a new helmet?

Jeff Edwards · Joined: 10 Sep 2001 Posts: 193

Robert,

You definitely need to have the helmet checked out before you use it again! The damage can be latent and not adequately protect you on the next hit.

Contact Simpson and tell them exactly what happened and that you want to get the helmet "re-certified". That's my term, but they'll get the idea. I'm sure they have a program, and it may not even cost you more than a nominal charge.

I had a Bell that I put through shall we say 'excessive testing'

and they were great about testing / checking it out for free. Turns out that my damage was indeed only cosmetic and it was still usable and they provided me a note saying as much. I requested something in writing so that if the tech inspector or race director or, heaven forbid, an insurance company needed verification that it was a 'good' safety device, I had proof.

Don't wait until getting near the next race, sometimes they have a bit of a backlog...

Jeff Edwards
www.netkarts.com

Jeff Smith · Joined: 30 Jul 2001 Posts: 71

I,ve read that you can send the helmet back to the manufacture and they can inspect it, but I would think if you hit pretty hard they will probally tell you to buy a new one.

Charlie Tackett

Definitely try and get it evaluated before you even consider wearing it! If you can't get it checked out, put it on the mantle with your trpophies. The shell is only part of the total protective package of a helmet. Other parts of the construction, such as the compressive liner are just as significant. Even if the shell doesn't look that bad, hidden damage or compression of the liner lessens it effectiveness in future impacts.