WEAR A HELMET: YES... BUT WHY?
It is always important to ask yourself what the material we use is for. In the case of the helmet, the answers are usually varied…
A little history
Historically, climbing and mountaineering helmets were made to protect against falling stones . On the itineraries with little marked lines, the rock was much more fragile. These routes were then exposed to the risk of falling stones and the climbers quickly sought to protect their heads . In the beginning, these were simple hats, later, they were transformed into round shells, the first helmets were worn mainly to protect the upper part of the head.
And currently, what are the reasons that encourage us to wear a helmet?
To this question, many still answer: "To protect the head from falling stones ." And some add: "To protect the head from hitting the rock during a fall."
Sport climbing has had a lot to do with this evolution. With the advances in practice and the increase in the performance level of climbers , falling in climbing has become trivialized, also increasing the risk of hitting the head against the rock in the event of a bad fall (for example, during a flip related to with a rope passed behind the leg or turning in falls climbing fissures…). At the same time, climbers and mountaineers are evolving towards highly frequented itineraries, with better quality, clean rock and, therefore, less exposed to falling stones. The protection of the head against the impacts in the rock acquires therefore, all its meaning.
We can extend this reflection to other activities on vertical terrain . Some examples of head impacts come to mind: canyoning, slipping backwards with your head hitting the ground; in caving, the head is struck in a constriction; in ski mountaineering, a slip on the skis with the head hitting a tree or a rock... In all these situations, good head protection is required against frontal, side and rear impacts. Thus, wearing a helmet is not only protecting your head from falling stones, but also protecting yourself from impacts against the rock or the ground.
Going beyond the requirements of the norm with Petzl helmets
Always attentive to follow the evolution of activities, Petzl has wanted to guarantee a higher level of frontal, side and rear protection for its helmets to offer greater protection against impacts to the head. It is the TOP AND SIDE PROTECTION seal.
When a helmet is accredited with the TOP AND SIDE PROTECTION seal, it means that it meets both the requirements of the EN 12492 standard tests and the new test protocol carried out by Petzl. The requirements of the tests and characteristics of the EN 12492 standard guarantee a protection mainly on top, focused on protection against falling stones. The Petzl protocol extends the tests to the entire contour of the head.
With the TOP AND SIDE PROTECTION seal, Petzl helmets offer both top and front, side and rear impact protection.
So why are you wearing the helmet? Knowing how to answer this question means being able to choose whether or not to wear the appropriate helmet for the activity and the environment!
Source: petzl.com