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General Climbing Discussion

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Climbing Helmets 15-Jul-2003 At 11:05:59 AM dodgy

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Sorry, I'll try to explain myself again...

A substantial hit will render any helmet useless. The helmets are all designed, regardless of construction type, to be destroyed by a large impact. So the meteor will (in theory) work as well as the ecrin roc with the same impact. The (UIAA) test procedure is exactly the same for all types.
My point is that in normal "rough treatment" situations a suspension helmet will cope better.
Of course the test is only a representation of what MIGHT happen when climbing. Every impact is different and CANNOT be imitated accurately, so, if you and or your helmet, survive an impact, in so many ways it will be luck. Helmets cannot guarantee survival.
When someone dies not wearing one, the comment is "if only..."
And, as with motorcycle helmets, when someone dies when wearing one, helmets get a bad rap for being useless. Strange...