Any time spent in a kayak will most likely include some unplanned swimming. For the beginner it usually is attributed to the narrow hull design and minimal experience. Experts are no exception to the rule, they usually get wet because they take more chances and spend more time in rougher water. Helmets make sense when you consider the potential of you hitting your head on such things as rocks, boulders, branches, paddles, or other boaters for that matter. Wearing a helmet may not be necessary on a serene pond perhaps, but certainly in rapids, surf, or slow moving currents all of which could potentially cause harm. With the growing number of outdoor catalog houses, retail stores, and internet sites available today, you no longer have to sacrifice aesthetics for safety and effectiveness.
Finding a helmet that you really like will increase the likely hood that you will wear it thereby decreasing the chance of serious personal injury. Generally, helmets fall into one of three categories: lightweight models, designed with comfort in mind, not necessarily safety; a medium weight class, that absorbs the impact of smaller objects; and the bulky models that let you feel most impacts, but will save you from a blow that would normally cause a concussion. The type of helmet you purchase should be determined by the type of kayaking you will be involved in along with your experience level.
Suspension System: Helmets of any make, style, and design must be helmets that have a rigid shell and thick foam. The answer is found in the straps and the sizing of the helmet. Most if not all helmets manufactured today have two straps on each side, meeting at a single point under the chin, again very much like the bike helmets you see today. Straps offer a lot of room for adjustment but finding a helmet that fits snug without the suspension straps is the best start. Generally helmets come in junior sizing or adult sizing. Adult helmets usually offer small through large size options, enabling you to custom fit the helmet to your head.
Lining: There are several types of insulation out on the market today. Poly-propylene is the most common because of its hard material giving it the ability to take a number of impacts. Poly-Styrene is perhaps the best energy absorbing substance on the market today. You see this used in most bike helmets, but generally is only able to sustain one "major” impact, then it must be thrown out and replaced with a new one. When you are shopping for a product that will best protect your head, it ought to be made of a hard material that will both take and absorb the impact without harming you. If you pick up a helmet with soft foam inside, the chance of it protecting you is next to non-existent.
Outside shell: The outer shell usually comes in one of two materials; plastic or composite. Plastic helmets will vary to some degree with some offering little impact resistance to other high impact models. When shopping for a plastic shell helmet look for and avoid the relatively flexible shell and internal foam that can be compressed to the outside shell, this type of helmet will not protect you. Plastic helmets will usually have strategically placed holes on the outside shell. The holes not only act as drain holes but vents. These holes are great during the peak of the summer when heat and humidity are at its highest point. The drain holes are additionally effective in whitewater kayak runs because the water doesn't get trapped in the helmet causing it to move in potentially blinding positions. While drain holes are a nice option, keep in mind that the more holes you have the less protection you have.
Composite shells are generally more expensive because they are made of a lighter weight material and have the ability to absorb an impact over a larger area of the helmet while reducing the damage to any one point on your head. It is not uncommon to find visors on this particular model. Visors, while they may block the sun, increase the potential for the visor to catch water and force the helmet back away from your head exposing your forehead to possible injury.
Whatever combination of protection you choose, your decisions should be dictated by the kind of boater you are, so let your kayaking conditions determine what helmet you choose then look for the helmet sizing and suspension that provides the best custom fit for your head.
