Throwing out a dropped helmet...Urban Legend?

[Mr. Bloom]

So I was about to respond to a friend's facebook post advising that, if they drop a helmet, they should replace it...but then asked myself why did I think that???? Well, because I very often heard cyclists say so...

So, some TE research led me to Snell Foundation (which I had not heard of...) http://www.smf.org/ and they address the issue in a Q&A

I dropped my helmet! Do I have to go buy a new one?
Generally the answer is probably not. Helmets are one use items, but are quite durable otherwise, at least the ones we certify. Frequent dropping or spiking a helmet on the ground, or other hard surfaces may eventually degrade the helmet's performance. Similarly if the helmet falls to the ground at highway speeds unoccupied the owner must be aware that some degradation may have occurred. In general the real damage comes when the helmet contacts an object with a head inside. The Foundation recommends that if you are participating in an activity that requires that you wear a helmet, that you avoid hitting stuff with your head. It can be difficult to readily determine if a helmet has been damaged, and the protective capabilities compromised without a thorough inspection by a trained professional. Some manufacturers may provide this service or direct you to these others that can perform these inspections. The Foundation recommends that if you suspect your helmet may be compromised, then replace it. If the helmet has been involved in an impact while in use, replace it.

So, I guess this is the equivalent of a cycling urban legend... Plus, I like their advice that it's best to 'avoid hitting stuff with your head'

[bmccasland]

If I replaced my helmet every time I dropped it, I'd be buying a lot of helmets! It has taken quite a few tumbles out of the car when I've unloaded my bike. Good thing I never heard this urban legend. I did replace my helmet after the crash where my head slid, along with the rest of me, along the pavement. "Oh SAG truck,.. ride please?"

[arielmoon]

I recently dropped mine while trying to carry to much inside the house. It landed half on my shoe and showed no outward signs. It did make me pause and wonder... So I am glad to see this. It would be very expensive to replace just because I was a klutz.

[lph]

Motorcycling gals - could it be that this comes from motorcycling?

[nscrbug]

Motorcycling gals - could it be that this comes from motorcycling?

Possibly. I have definitely heard of this, in regards to motorcycle helmets. However, I must admit to dropping my motorcycle helmet more than a few times and not replacing it.

[soprano]

I drop my helmet at least once a week. I check it over frequently for cracks. Earlier this year I managed to drop it just right on a sidewalk so that the back side hit the ground on a point. The helmet developed a crack and I was able to pull that section of the helmet apart without too much effort, so I retired that helmet.

I'm quite good at dropping things. My stainless steel water bottles carry an impressive collection of dents. I tend to analyze items for durability before purchase for this reason.

[maillotpois]

Motorcycling gals - could it be that this comes from motorcycling?

Possibly. I have definitely heard of this, in regards to motorcycle helmets. However, I must admit to dropping my motorcycle helmet more than a few times and not replacing it.

I head in my MSF course, though, that for a dropped helmet to be damaged to the point of replacement, it had to have something inside it (i.e., your head). It's not the impact with the ground that necessarily causes damage, but the secondary impact of the skull inside the helmet. So at least my MSF course was NOT preaching "drop it get a new one".