Helmet help?

[OakLeaf]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I did NOT say that helmets are no use.

I was referring specifically to the situation you describe, where your helmet not only doesn't stay on your head, but it interferes with your vision.

While I strongly reject the concept that lives can be saved, most fates are much, much worse than death. A helmet has saved me from one, myself. Before you ride without a well-fitting helmet, think about who you would like to wipe your butt and feed you pablum for the rest of your life, and ask them whether that's going to be okay with them.

It's true that once you get over 50 mph or so, internal and/or spinal cord injuries are likely to be much more severe and disabling than anything a helmet could prevent. When MOST of your time riding is spent above 50 mph, then maybe you should graduate to a motorsports helmet.

[Catrin]

...
Something that hasn't been addresses is low-speed crashes. Just as important to protect your head at 5mph as at 40 mph.

And believe me, I've experienced the 5 mph crash that made me grateful I was wearing a helmet.

If you're on the bike, wear the helmet. No excuses.

Yep, I had a VERY slow speed crash during my first (failed) clipless experiment that left me with a minor concussion when I hit my head against a rock. It only cost me a helmet, but if I hadn't had one on...

Bottom line, get a helmet that fits & WEAR it. Always. Period.

[OakLeaf]

I did understand, but to suggest there are times where a person is better off without one under any circumstances is irresponsible.

Well, I didn't even begin to say that a person is better off without one under any circumstances. Only in the particular circumstance.

As far as irresponsibility ... I suggested that she not ride without a well fitting helmet. That's irresponsible? To suggest that ANY random helmet with straps around the neck, which interferes with her vision and could cause a crash, is better than none ... is akin to suggesting that if someone needs vision correction to drive, wearing anyone else's prescription glasses would be better than going uncorrected.

[Crankin]

I think we all agree on that. I cannot tell you how many riders I see wearing helmets incorrectly, falling over to the side, off the back of their head. Generally, I've found that these are either new riders or people who have been riding for 20+ years. The first group usually appreciates some instruction on how to fit a helmet correctly and the second group, well, not so much.
This is one of the things we do in our bike workshop every spring. Either me or DH loosens our helmet and slides it back on our heads to show the "incorrect" position. I'd say at least 50% of the participants exclaim, audibly, "I didn't know that."

[lph]

Which brings me back to the original question: make sure that your helmet doesn't only fit when it's on perfectly. I tried on a Limar Superlight the other day, which I'm sure is a fine helmet, but won't work for my head. It perched fine on top of my head when I adjusted it closely, then I loosened it just a smidgen and gave it a light knock in front, as if I'd fallen off and landed on my face, and the entire helmet slid all the way back exposing the front of my head. My Giro doesn't do this, it'll slide a little back, but not very far.