Helmet is a Must... Why? - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

rachitkohli · 05-13-2010, 02:28 PM

Question: Why must I wear a helmet?
When man was created, he was quipped with a skull to protect his brain. This original protection measure " set-up" was effective in the then soft environment which was man's normal habitat'. As man evolved, he started by taming the horse, as he outgrew the speed capability of the horse, he began searching for faster modes of travel. He first developed the steam engine, followed by the internal combustion engine and then the turbine. Man, while he has succeeded in propelling himself at speeds that would have scared his ancestors, has also changed his surroundings to hard unyielding surfaces both horizontal and vertical.
Unfortunately, he has not been able to transform himself to the protective needs of his new lifestyle and environment. The helmet is, therefore, necessary and just a link in the long chain of safety equipment and counter measures man has to use in his present surroundings.

Question: Why do Governments make Helmet use compulsory ?
The wealth of any nation is in its people. With the continuing popularity of the two-wheeler amongst college going youth and executive cadre, it is necessary for the government to protect its intelligentsia and prevent "brain drain" of another sort. Helmets are made mandatory by law, since statistical studies conducted almost all over the world have proven beyond any doubt that " a helmet is the single most effective counter measure against brain injury in the life of a two wheeler user."
Additionally safety measures in every form are never implemented unless the government has enforced them.
Question: How does a helmet work?
The brain is the most delicate organ in the human body, which is suspended within the skull in a fluid called the Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF).When the skull is hit, it accelerates and moves towards the suspended brain, until the pressures within the skull move the brain forward in the CSF. When the skull is stopped, ( as in a motorcycle accident ),the brain being suspended continues its forward motion, and depending upon the speed during impact, the forward moving brain will touch the inside of the skull and can be damaged. The brain is said, in such a case, to have suffered from linear concussion, and penetration from protruding objects and to stay fastened position in the event of an accident.
Energy management, as we call it in the helmet trade, is the management of the energy that must be dissipated, so that the brain is never subjected to damage from contraction the skull. To achieve this, we construct a skull, rather a very rigid shell from fiberglass, or thermoplastic. The inside of the helmet is lined with expanded polystyrene (EPS ) of controlled density. The shape and thickness of this EPS liner as well as its density is of paramount importance. Under an accident impact condition, the shell of the helmet behaves like the skull; the EPS liner like the CSF and the skull is treated in the same way as nature intended it to treat the brain.
In case of an accident

a) The helmet strikes the road, curb of whatever and comes to a stop. Momentarily.( Measured in milliseconds.)
b) The skull and brain are still in motion.
c) The EPS begins crushing progressively.
d) The skull is not permitted to stop "suddenly", by the crushing EPS.
e) The brain is also slowing progressively within the CSF and the job is done.
All of the above happens very quickly (within milliseconds) and that is how a helmet works.

Questions: What comprises a good helmet?
Good helmet have fiberglass or thermoplastic outer shells.

EPS (Thermocole) is considered to be the best energy absorbing liner available and must be present in the helmet.
Nylon or Terylene woven tape of tubular instruction is found to be the best for chinstraps.
Steel Anchor plates are a must for securing the chinstraps to the shell. Fastening by double "D" rings; bar-n-buckle or all metal clasps are most secure.
Rivets of copper or brass are best for fixing anchor plates to the shell.
The helmet must fit snugly and not wobble or move, ones fastened on the head. Beadings, paints etc. are frills that are applied to promote the helmet. Look for these features in a helmet before making your choice.
Question: Why must I wear a helmet then I do not normally exceed 55 km while riding?
At 55 kmph you are traveling at 49 feet per second i.e. the speed at which you will hit the ground if you jump out a window on the fourth floor of a building. Must I say more????

Question: What is the lifetime of a helmet and how should a helmet be handled?
A helmet, since it is constructed from plastics, i.e. thermoplastics: ABS, Polycarbonate, Polypropelene or thermosets i.e. Fibreglass reinforced plastics, are subject to change from exposure to ultra-violet and infrared rays in sunlight.
A helmet should be replaced every two or three years, However, if a helmet has been involved in an impact, it must be changed without question. DON'T TAKE CHANCES.
Don't drop it; Keep it out of reach of children. Don't press the EPS liner inside, don't carry groceries in it. Clean it regularly.
Question: Do helmets cause balding?
Not at all, this aspect of helmets was studied in the U.K. in 1981 by a leading authority on baldness and a consultant dermatologist Dr. Arthur Rook. It was found that the wearing of helmets does NOT promote balding.
Question: Do Helmets impair hearing?
You will be interested to learn of findings from a study conducted at the California Institute of Technology and the USDA forests service. At highway speeds (approximately 80 kmph) wind noise levels with a helmet on, can reach 100 db (A) which is the permitted mechanical sound level of a motorcycle sold in the USA). In case you feel then, that riding without a helmet is better, let me hasten to inform you, which at the same speed the wind noise level without a helmet are 120 db (A).
So, to come back to the original question, you can now see that what may appear to be a loss of hearing while wearing a helmet in a stationary situation is actually quite the reverse while in motion on a motorcycle.
Question: How should a helmet fit?
A helmet must fit snugly, rather, slightly tightly than comfortably. After fastening the chin strap, push back on the front of the helmet, if it sides back on your head, select one that grips well and does not wobble and move when worn.
Question: Do we have a safety standard for motorcycle helmet?
Yes, we do. There is an Indian Standard Specification for motorcycle helmets, IS 4151. There are other IS standards for police, industrial and mining helmets too. These helmets are constructed very differently from motorcycle helmets and cannot be depended for protection in a motorcycle accident situation. The two energy management requirements of these two end uses are poles apart. I will explain.
a. In the case of the police, industrial or mining helmet, the helmet in expected to protect the wearer from objects coming towards him, projectiles like stones or bricks for the police, and nuts or bolts etc. in industrial usage.
b. In the cast of the motorcyclist, the helmet must protect him when he is the projectile going to hit a solid object.
ADVICE WHILE BUYING HELMET
Check for ISI 4151. Industrial and Miners' helmets have different ISI standards that are no approved for two wheeler use.
Take time to check proper fitting. A tight helmet will give you a headache. A loose helmet will wobble every time your bike crosses a bump on the road. Ensure a comfortable fit.
Try on the helmet before a mirror. You will see how the helmet suits your personality.
Buy from a reputed dealer displaying "Authorized Dealer" Certificate. Also select a dealer who offers you an opportunity to choose between several brands of helmets.
Never buy a helmet from a roadside hawker. It would most likely be a squrious product with a false ISI marking.
Insist on a proper printed Bill of sale showing the correct brand and model. Never buy a helmet without a Bill. Do not accept a "Quotation" in place of a Bill. Preserve the Bill.
Ask for the instruction card provided with each helmet by the manufacturer. Follow the instructions on the card for proper use and maintenance of the helmet.
Buy a Helmet Lock. You will not have to carry about your helmet when not in use.
Compulsion or not, always use a helmet when using a scooter or a motorcycle, either as a rider or as a pillion passenger. Remember that the life of the pillion passenger is as precious as that of the rider. Buy more than on helmet if necessary.

Excellent info found the TrafficPolic site. Hence thought of sharing with you guyz.!
Source : Mumbai Traffic Police

ken cool · 05-13-2010, 07:06 PM

Topic Approved

JitenMistry · 05-13-2010, 07:23 PM

Excellent and eye opening article.

Myself and my wife always wear helmet in every condition. Even I had 1st brought helmet and then I booked my 1st motorcycle.

rennycornelius · 05-13-2010, 08:24 PM

Really nice one there.

Helmets are life savers, you can join broken bones,bruises can be healed, but if your head is hit at the wrong place, you're gone.

rachitkohli · 05-14-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JitenMistry

Excellent and eye opening article.

Myself and my wife always wear helmet in any condition. Even I had 1st brought helmet and then I booked my 1st motorcycle.

thats SERIOUSLY wonderful dude..!! Helmets are the part of you.. Gears is your other skin..

Quote:

Originally Posted by rennycornelius

Really nice one there.

Helmets are life savers, you can join broken bones,bruises can be healed, but if your head is hit at the wrong place, you're gone.

You bet.. Head injuries are really hard to get right..!!
Also roadside helmets are useless..
Only wear a Cheap Helmet if you Head is Cheap..!!

tibby · 05-14-2010, 01:24 PM

Very nice article there. Thanks for sharing

I'm glad that the traffic police have put up such an informative article.

I would like to reiterate here that just putting on a helmet is not sufficient. It is the strap/ fastener that saves one from injuries, and is as imporant as the shell of the helmet. As rightly pointed out here, it should filt snugly, and against the chin/ lower jaw.
It is not uncommon to see most 2-wheeler riders wear a helemt, and not fasten the strap.

tibby · 07-25-2010, 12:05 AM

Its a common sight to see motorists wear helmets & not fasten the strap.
What I do these days is give them a piece of safety awareness by way of making up a story. Its something like, "I too never fastened my helmet's strap, until I had a fall & the helmet fell off during the impact. I was hospitalised fot 15 days & got 6 stitches on by chin. It cost me 19k, while wearing the helmet strap would have saved me from all this. So, please wear the strap". People are immediately alerted & fasten the strap as they can visualise the impact their carelessness would have in case of a mishap.
You can make up similar stories for people wearing those half face helmets (dabbas) & flip up ones (they wouldn't be too safe under heavy impact).

Trust me, this helps! I have been doing this at signals & in traffic jams for over a month now. Who knows, you will save a life!

crazySID · 01-14-2011, 09:29 PM

Nice one rachit. Never knew the technicality behind the materials used in helmets. For me a helmet was never an option, but the preference has always been towards half faced helmet(isi approved). This was because I wear specs. I bought my first fullface for my first ride with xbhp(since fullface being part of the protocol) and now preference has shifted towards FF's !!

Seamus · 01-15-2011, 05:08 AM

Even i never had habit of wearing that helmet strap unless i saw what happened to my cousing.
He was leaning his 1 month old dazzler and the main stand touched the ground and got stuck somewhere @ 80km/hr. He was wearing the dirt helmet. The Force of the bike throwing him off was so hard that the helmet came up a bit from behind and not completly, resulting in open lower part of brain or whatever you call it, which got hit with the divider resulting of him loosing his memory of the past 1 month and the the first week of the accident he was forgeting things like who came and met him at his home, and when i met him in the morning and the same day in evening he doesnt remember that i had come in the morning to meet him. And all of a sudden he use to start crying and such stuff. Althought now hez fine but that thing what happened to him opened my eyes and now whenever i wear helmet strap is always on

ironman · 01-15-2011, 09:43 AM

Damn! Some words buddy! Will never forget these lines! You have brought light onto not just safety but to things like protecting a country's future intelligentsia! No two-wheeler needs ever the more reasons than these to ride a two-wheeler with a helmet! This article should be linked to the No.1 rule here on xbhp.

05-13-2010, 02:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
rachitkohli HardRider Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Mumbai Posts: 1,930	Helmet is a Must... Why? Question: Why must I wear a helmet? When man was created, he was quipped with a skull to protect his brain. This original protection measure " set-up" was effective in the then soft environment which was man's normal habitat'. As man evolved, he started by taming the horse, as he outgrew the speed capability of the horse, he began searching for faster modes of travel. He first developed the steam engine, followed by the internal combustion engine and then the turbine. Man, while he has succeeded in propelling himself at speeds that would have scared his ancestors, has also changed his surroundings to hard unyielding surfaces both horizontal and vertical. Unfortunately, he has not been able to transform himself to the protective needs of his new lifestyle and environment. The helmet is, therefore, necessary and just a link in the long chain of safety equipment and counter measures man has to use in his present surroundings. Question: Why do Governments make Helmet use compulsory ? The wealth of any nation is in its people. With the continuing popularity of the two-wheeler amongst college going youth and executive cadre, it is necessary for the government to protect its intelligentsia and prevent "brain drain" of another sort. Helmets are made mandatory by law, since statistical studies conducted almost all over the world have proven beyond any doubt that " a helmet is the single most effective counter measure against brain injury in the life of a two wheeler user." Additionally safety measures in every form are never implemented unless the government has enforced them. Question: How does a helmet work? The brain is the most delicate organ in the human body, which is suspended within the skull in a fluid called the Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF).When the skull is hit, it accelerates and moves towards the suspended brain, until the pressures within the skull move the brain forward in the CSF. When the skull is stopped, ( as in a motorcycle accident ),the brain being suspended continues its forward motion, and depending upon the speed during impact, the forward moving brain will touch the inside of the skull and can be damaged. The brain is said, in such a case, to have suffered from linear concussion, and penetration from protruding objects and to stay fastened position in the event of an accident. Energy management, as we call it in the helmet trade, is the management of the energy that must be dissipated, so that the brain is never subjected to damage from contraction the skull. To achieve this, we construct a skull, rather a very rigid shell from fiberglass, or thermoplastic. The inside of the helmet is lined with expanded polystyrene (EPS ) of controlled density. The shape and thickness of this EPS liner as well as its density is of paramount importance. Under an accident impact condition, the shell of the helmet behaves like the skull; the EPS liner like the CSF and the skull is treated in the same way as nature intended it to treat the brain. In case of an accident a) The helmet strikes the road, curb of whatever and comes to a stop. Momentarily.( Measured in milliseconds.) b) The skull and brain are still in motion. c) The EPS begins crushing progressively. d) The skull is not permitted to stop "suddenly", by the crushing EPS. e) The brain is also slowing progressively within the CSF and the job is done. All of the above happens very quickly (within milliseconds) and that is how a helmet works. Questions: What comprises a good helmet? Good helmet have fiberglass or thermoplastic outer shells. EPS (Thermocole) is considered to be the best energy absorbing liner available and must be present in the helmet. Nylon or Terylene woven tape of tubular instruction is found to be the best for chinstraps. Steel Anchor plates are a must for securing the chinstraps to the shell. Fastening by double "D" rings; bar-n-buckle or all metal clasps are most secure. Rivets of copper or brass are best for fixing anchor plates to the shell. The helmet must fit snugly and not wobble or move, ones fastened on the head. Beadings, paints etc. are frills that are applied to promote the helmet. Look for these features in a helmet before making your choice. Question: Why must I wear a helmet then I do not normally exceed 55 km while riding? At 55 kmph you are traveling at 49 feet per second i.e. the speed at which you will hit the ground if you jump out a window on the fourth floor of a building. Must I say more???? Question: What is the lifetime of a helmet and how should a helmet be handled? A helmet, since it is constructed from plastics, i.e. thermoplastics: ABS, Polycarbonate, Polypropelene or thermosets i.e. Fibreglass reinforced plastics, are subject to change from exposure to ultra-violet and infrared rays in sunlight. A helmet should be replaced every two or three years, However, if a helmet has been involved in an impact, it must be changed without question. DON'T TAKE CHANCES. Don't drop it; Keep it out of reach of children. Don't press the EPS liner inside, don't carry groceries in it. Clean it regularly. Question: Do helmets cause balding? Not at all, this aspect of helmets was studied in the U.K. in 1981 by a leading authority on baldness and a consultant dermatologist Dr. Arthur Rook. It was found that the wearing of helmets does NOT promote balding. Question: Do Helmets impair hearing? You will be interested to learn of findings from a study conducted at the California Institute of Technology and the USDA forests service. At highway speeds (approximately 80 kmph) wind noise levels with a helmet on, can reach 100 db (A) which is the permitted mechanical sound level of a motorcycle sold in the USA). In case you feel then, that riding without a helmet is better, let me hasten to inform you, which at the same speed the wind noise level without a helmet are 120 db (A). So, to come back to the original question, you can now see that what may appear to be a loss of hearing while wearing a helmet in a stationary situation is actually quite the reverse while in motion on a motorcycle. Question: How should a helmet fit? A helmet must fit snugly, rather, slightly tightly than comfortably. After fastening the chin strap, push back on the front of the helmet, if it sides back on your head, select one that grips well and does not wobble and move when worn. Question: Do we have a safety standard for motorcycle helmet? Yes, we do. There is an Indian Standard Specification for motorcycle helmets, IS 4151. There are other IS standards for police, industrial and mining helmets too. These helmets are constructed very differently from motorcycle helmets and cannot be depended for protection in a motorcycle accident situation. The two energy management requirements of these two end uses are poles apart. I will explain. a. In the case of the police, industrial or mining helmet, the helmet in expected to protect the wearer from objects coming towards him, projectiles like stones or bricks for the police, and nuts or bolts etc. in industrial usage. b. In the cast of the motorcyclist, the helmet must protect him when he is the projectile going to hit a solid object. ADVICE WHILE BUYING HELMET Check for ISI 4151. Industrial and Miners' helmets have different ISI standards that are no approved for two wheeler use. Take time to check proper fitting. A tight helmet will give you a headache. A loose helmet will wobble every time your bike crosses a bump on the road. Ensure a comfortable fit. Try on the helmet before a mirror. You will see how the helmet suits your personality. Buy from a reputed dealer displaying "Authorized Dealer" Certificate. Also select a dealer who offers you an opportunity to choose between several brands of helmets. Never buy a helmet from a roadside hawker. It would most likely be a squrious product with a false ISI marking. Insist on a proper printed Bill of sale showing the correct brand and model. Never buy a helmet without a Bill. Do not accept a "Quotation" in place of a Bill. Preserve the Bill. Ask for the instruction card provided with each helmet by the manufacturer. Follow the instructions on the card for proper use and maintenance of the helmet. Buy a Helmet Lock. You will not have to carry about your helmet when not in use. Compulsion or not, always use a helmet when using a scooter or a motorcycle, either as a rider or as a pillion passenger. Remember that the life of the pillion passenger is as precious as that of the rider. Buy more than on helmet if necessary. Excellent info found the TrafficPolic site. Hence thought of sharing with you guyz.! Source : Mumbai Traffic Police __________________ ..»».. I will rather ride my Bike thinking about God, then sitting in a Temple thinking about my Bike.. »».. Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai June '09 :On xBHP: Ride With me to Leh Blog : Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai : 21 Days, 6500kms. Journey to Heaven..June'09 GreatIndianRide - West India on a 110cc for over a month 2nd, Mumbai-Leh-Mumbai : July'11 (blog coming soon)

05-13-2010, 07:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
ken cool Been Around Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 4,649	Topic Approved __________________ The Wheel was a great invention; Two Wheels with a Motor in between was even better! BMW Motorrad Days 2011 Xbhp's Indo-French Kashmir-Ladakh Tour

05-13-2010, 08:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
rennycornelius . Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Indore Posts: 2,919	Really nice one there. Helmets are life savers, you can join broken bones,bruises can be healed, but if your head is hit at the wrong place, you're gone. __________________ The Magician"

05-14-2010, 01:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
tibby Missing in action.. Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,850	Very nice article there. Thanks for sharing I'm glad that the traffic police have put up such an informative article. I would like to reiterate here that just putting on a helmet is not sufficient. It is the strap/ fastener that saves one from injuries, and is as imporant as the shell of the helmet. As rightly pointed out here, it should filt snugly, and against the chin/ lower jaw. It is not uncommon to see most 2-wheeler riders wear a helemt, and not fasten the strap. __________________ My views on the YZF-R15 V2.0: http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/news/198...tml#post699240 My test-ride experience of the YZF-R15 V2.0: http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/news/198...tml#post725556 The pleasure is when your rear wheel slides, and you bring it back; and when the front wheel lifts, you take your time bringing it back.

07-25-2010, 12:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
tibby Missing in action.. Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,850	Its a common sight to see motorists wear helmets & not fasten the strap. What I do these days is give them a piece of safety awareness by way of making up a story. Its something like, "I too never fastened my helmet's strap, until I had a fall & the helmet fell off during the impact. I was hospitalised fot 15 days & got 6 stitches on by chin. It cost me 19k, while wearing the helmet strap would have saved me from all this. So, please wear the strap". People are immediately alerted & fasten the strap as they can visualise the impact their carelessness would have in case of a mishap. You can make up similar stories for people wearing those half face helmets (dabbas) & flip up ones (they wouldn't be too safe under heavy impact). Trust me, this helps! I have been doing this at signals & in traffic jams for over a month now. Who knows, you will save a life! __________________ My views on the YZF-R15 V2.0: http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/news/198...tml#post699240 My test-ride experience of the YZF-R15 V2.0: http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/news/198...tml#post725556 The pleasure is when your rear wheel slides, and you bring it back; and when the front wheel lifts, you take your time bringing it back.

05-13-2010, 07:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
JitenMistry Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 515	Excellent and eye opening article. Myself and my wife always wear helmet in every condition. Even I had 1st brought helmet and then I booked my 1st motorcycle.

01-14-2011, 09:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
crazySID Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Mahim (Mumbai) Posts: 183	Nice one rachit. Never knew the technicality behind the materials used in helmets. For me a helmet was never an option, but the preference has always been towards half faced helmet(isi approved). This was because I wear specs. I bought my first fullface for my first ride with xbhp(since fullface being part of the protocol) and now preference has shifted towards FF's !! __________________ "To accomplish much you must first loose everything" - Che Guevara Last edited by crazySID; 01-14-2011 at 09:35 PM.

01-15-2011, 05:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
Seamus Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 266	Even i never had habit of wearing that helmet strap unless i saw what happened to my cousing. He was leaning his 1 month old dazzler and the main stand touched the ground and got stuck somewhere @ 80km/hr. He was wearing the dirt helmet. The Force of the bike throwing him off was so hard that the helmet came up a bit from behind and not completly, resulting in open lower part of brain or whatever you call it, which got hit with the divider resulting of him loosing his memory of the past 1 month and the the first week of the accident he was forgeting things like who came and met him at his home, and when i met him in the morning and the same day in evening he doesnt remember that i had come in the morning to meet him. And all of a sudden he use to start crying and such stuff. Althought now hez fine but that thing what happened to him opened my eyes and now whenever i wear helmet strap is always on

01-15-2011, 09:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
ironman Bikaholic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mysore Posts: 198	Damn! Some words buddy! Will never forget these lines! You have brought light onto not just safety but to things like protecting a country's future intelligentsia! No two-wheeler needs ever the more reasons than these to ride a two-wheeler with a helmet! This article should be linked to the No.1 rule here on xbhp. __________________ Riding is a way of life. Sometimes, it might also be a way of giving life. So Ride safe. In both contexts. Last edited by ironman; 01-15-2011 at 09:46 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[xBhp Universal Thread]: DIY : Helmet Painting	ripper	Universal Threads	60	01-31-2012 04:35 PM
Helmet Communication	darius_b	The Tourer	11	11-08-2009 08:31 AM
New Gixxer ..... but not getting a helmet	dudejavibhas	Superbike And Imports	74	09-19-2009 07:34 PM
help me out plz in helmet issue	vikranth_u9	Help Me!	1	05-11-2009 02:20 PM
Helmet	kewl_kewl	Help Me!	1	09-23-2008 12:12 PM

Register Now for FREE!
Are you registered on xBhp yet? If not, do so now and start participating to be able to share photos and experiences with other members. It will also enable to you have a chance to be a part of xBhp contests and roadtrips in the future! Username: Password: Confirm Password: E-Mail: Confirm E-Mail: Birthday: Image Verification I agree to forum rules