Helmet has become synonymous with the concept of safety over the years. While riding a two-wheeler, it is very common to have accidents on the road, and head injuries can be life-taking if one does not wear a helmet. During bike or scooter rides and for many recreational activities, one must wear a helmet to reduce the risk of a fatal head injury and save a life. When a collision or fall occurs, the helmet absorbs much of the energy power instead of hurting your brain or head. The blog will discuss which helmet for which activity? Various kinds of helmets are used during different activities. Typical helmet types include bike helmets, scooter helmets, sports helmets, skateboard helmets, etc.

Be careful and wear a helmet whenever required!

Can I Use the Same Helmet for Different Kinds of Activities?

Certainly not! There are different helmets for different kinds of activities. Every helmet has been designed to protect one's head to avoid the detrimental impacts associated with a specific sort of sport or activity. Before purchasing a sports helmet, one must be assured whether the helmet is a suitable match for the particular activities one will do. Helmets made for other activities might not effectively protect your head from the disastrous effects.

Different Kinds of Helmets for Different Activities

1. Bike Helmet

According to most people, the helmet is the most critical safety tool when riding a motorcycle. As a research survey shows, motorcycle helmets saved around 1,772 lives in 2015. The number increased to 1872 in the next year. And It could have saved the lives of approximately ten lakhs individuals if they had worn helmets during the time of the accident. It is not about law. A state may or may not require its citizens to wear helmets by law, but it is your duty and responsibility to put on the helmet while riding a bike. One can opt for a good scooter helmet while riding a scooter.

Let’s have a look at the bike helmet types.

Primarily there are six types of motorcycle helmets:

1. Full-Face

A full-face helmet provides complete coverage of your head and neck. Consequently, this kind of helmet is considered the best quality and safest helmet to safeguard you from any accidental impact.

A full-face helmet is one of the most common choices for bike riders, irrespective of the model of motorcycle one rides. These helmet models vary depending on the riding style you follow. For example, sports riders have a specific crouched position that needs a helmet that doesn't move at high speed. Sports riders usually choose a helmet with a higher chin bar and a visor opening that might be slightly angled towards the helmet top.

These helmets have ventilation to absorb sweat and reduce visor fog to keep the rider cool. Recently, new technologies like Bluetooth, high-visibility designs and visors have been equipped with the helmet to adjust sunlight effects.

1. Open-Face

Open face coverage helmets are also known as ¾ helmets, as it covers the rear of the rider's head top and sides with your face exposed. Mostly, café racers, scooters, tourists, and cruisers use these helmets to feel the natural air on their skin. The model does not feature a chin bar which reduces safety.

These helmets are structurally similar to the full-face helmets in terms of coverage. The openness of the helmet cannot save the riders from weather conditions or road accidents. The newly-added features include full-face visors.

1. Half Helmet

Half helmets cover only the top of the head and forehead, providing a minimal level of protection. Some models offer a bit more coverage on the back of your neck and ears. These also allow tremendous airflow.

These helmets do not come with a visor or face shield. The rider needs to put on eye protection in the form of goggles or riding glasses. The helmet model does not have space for many features to be implemented. Only Bluetooth speakers can be equipped with a helmet.

1. Modular

Modular helmets are also termed flip-up helmets. The helmet includes the features of a chin bar and visor like the full-face helmets. The materials and fitment are also alike. Modular helmet models feature a visor for eye protection and, sometimes, include a secondary internal visor to ensure additional eye protection.

The model weighs somewhat more than the full-face ones due to the extra design hinge features. However, the hinge structure might adversely impact the rider's safety to some extent.

Mostly, adventure enthusiasts and cruisers opt for these modular helmets. Bluetooth speakers, a dual visor system, and an anti-fogging coating have been the recent additions.

1. Off-Road

Off-road helmets are designed to ride on dirt roads. The helmets are not the ideal option for riding along city roads or highways. These helmets lack eye-protection features. Goggles will be the best choice as these can seal against the rider's face to stop road debris.

The helmet models are equipped with a giant visor and chin bar to allow better airflow. The core advantages of the helmet include maximum protection, minimum weight, and smooth ventilation. These models do not come with luxurious features like Bluetooth speakers.

1. Dual-Sport

Dual-sport helmet model is a blend of the off-road helmet and full-face one. The helmets offer the riders high-quality eye protection, and the chin bar makes the helmet protective. The soundproof quality is better, and there is much airflow.

The exterior is similar to the off-road helmet. The model offers more interior padding and comfort, enabling the rider to ride along both on and off-road. The helmets are ideal when one rides through a rough terrain throughout a single tour.

• Bicycle Helmet

In the first place, it is a controversial concept why do cyclists at all need helmets. But, cycling safety is one of the most vital issues that most people don't even realize. The bicycle helmetssafeguard the head by reducing the power, which can affect the brand or skull. The helmets act like energy absorbers. The polystyrene liner absorbs the shock, but it cannot further offer protection. It is very likely for novice cyclers to fall, and research has shown that helmets have provided helpful protection to the head. The manufacturers determine the helmet safety features, meeting the international standards for the equipment.

• Sports Helmet

Reviews and literature have shown that helmets, in each case, play a crucial role in preventing and controlling head injury. Sports helmets undergo test processes by the standard organizations in the USA and by international firms. According to a recent review, helmet requirements might differ for different organizations, even for the same sport. Recreational activities like skateboarding, skating, skiing, horse riding, lacrosse, and snowboarding require a helmet to reduce the risk of head injury. Sports such as cricket, football, hockey, baseball, and softball require helmets for specific players.

A Skateboard helmetis the most critical tool to protect your head when you go skating. Without a proper helmet, a skating experience can become disastrous for you. Full-face helmets are the high-protection helmet model that motorcyclists need. Similarly, the skaters must prepare themselves with the full-face helmets, featuring an ABS-plastic outer shell, EPS foam, extra and thick padding, adjustable chin straps with side release buckles, and removable liners.

It needs to be mandatory to wear a helmet while riding a skateboard. Sudden, consequential head injuries might lead to death or disability in body organs.

How to determine which helmet is the right one to use?

Safety standards are associated with most types of helmets. For example, bicycles and motorcycles must maintain the compulsory federal safety standards. On the other side, the helmets used in other recreational activities must follow voluntary safety standards.

Helmets that meet the criterion of the voluntary safety standard have been tailored and created to protect the rider or player from any skull injury or fracture while wearing the helmet. For example, the helmets manufactured from 1999 onwards must meet the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) bicycle helmet standard as a helmet of this standard can provide protection against brain injuries and damage when you wear the helmet.

The safety and protection provided by the ideal helmets depend on the proper size and correct wearing method. For example, for many recreational activities, the chin straps of the helmets need to maintain specific standards as it is essential to make the helmet function in order. A bicycle helmet needs stronger chin straps to keep the helmet on the head and maintain the proper position during a collision.

Helmets meeting specific standards contain a unique label or design that displays compliance with the standard. The users are advised not to blindly depend on the helmet brand or appearance or the claims written on the packaging while purchasing the helmet. The customers need to be aware of the safety standards and other minute details to determine whether the helmet matches their requirements. The users are strongly suggested not to prioritize style over features. While selecting a helmet, make sure you avoid the ones which contain inessential elements yet look attractive. These features might obstruct the helmet's plain surface from preventing a fall, causing severe injury.

The users are suggested not to add any extra elements to the helmet, such as covers, stickers, or any other object that the company has not provided. The items can adversely affect the helmet's function to safeguard you. And, most importantly, do not buy such helmets that are real only by appearance. These types of helmets do not match any standard and can offer very little or no protection at all.

Are there Helmets that can be used for more than One Activity?

Yes! But only a few!

You can wear a CPSC-complaint bicycle helmet while riding a kick scooter, roller skating or in-line skating, and bicycling.

Can Helmets Prevent Concussions?

To give a one-word answer, 'No’! Helmets cannot prevent concussions always. The materials used to manufacture helmets are designed to absorb high-impact energies, which might result in skull fractures and brain injuries. Though, it is not yet proven that the materials used in these helmets can counteract the energies which cause concussions. If a helmet brand claims that any of their specific helmet models can prevent concussions, beware of the claim and try to check the fact.

If you genuinely need protection against concussion, keep your eyes open. It will help if you learn the symptoms of a concussion. If you sense anything of that kind has happened after an accident (fall/collision), immediately consult the doctor and begin the necessary treatment.

How to be Sure whether the Helmet fits appropriately?

A helmet must be sturdy yet comfortable, be it the bike riding helmets, sports helmet, or bicycle helmet.

Make sure the helmet is rightly on your head – neither tilted backward nor comes to your forehead. Once you put on the helmet, it should not move in other directions. Helmets with chin straps need to be fastened securely to ensure that the helmet does not move or fall from the head during an accident.

If you purchase a helmet for your kid, bring the child to the shop to check the match. Scrutinize the helmet and go through the accompanying instructions and safety literature.

How long are the Helmets supposed to last?

Check the guidelines provided by the manufacturers. Even if it is not there, it is a safe option to change your helmet after 5-10 years of purchase. The replacement might depend on how long the helmet has been used, how much it has been cared for, where the rider used to keep it, etc. Damage in the significant parts of the helmets can be the reason for replacement. It is unnecessary to say that if one has undergone an accident and the helmet has been crushed, it needs an immediate replacement. Regular replacement reduces the chances of risk and mishaps in the midway.

To Conclude,

Be it a sports helmet, bike riding helmet, skateboard helmet, or bicycle helmet; ensure proper maintenance and thorough check-up for a lifetime. In case of an accident, change the helmet shortly. But make sure to wear it whenever you are involved in any of the activities mentioned above. A helmet can save your life save your future.