Choosing The Best Helmet For Roller Derby

Tricky thing about injuries... they don't often happen in bouts. More likely, they happen during practice, on your off day cross-training, and doing silly stuff... like skating nerf dodgeball or practicing your disco halftime moves. Recently, I suffered a concussion/shaken baby syndrome: I was warming up for scrimmage Sunday, and all of my safety gear was on. One of my shoelaces came undone and as I pulled myself off the track to tie it, it wrapped around my wheel, causing me to fall straight back (banana peel-style) and landing flat on my back... and the back of my head. This same type of fall killed a friend of my father's who was rollerblading on polished concrete without a helmet. Lucky for me, I had a helmet. My helmet actually cracked from the impact. I'm okay now, but there is a moral to this story: Wear your safety gear when you're on skates, and make sure the gear is GOOD gear. It's your muthafucking brain, yo. You only have one.

Here is a worthy post that I discovered as I search for a new helmet. Maybe you'll learn something, too!

 Deja Bruise

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Choosing a Helmet for Roller Derby

« on: July 12, 2012, 12:16:19 AM »

Roller Derby, as it's played now, is a relatively new sport.  Helmets worn in roller derby are actually helmets designed for other sports or recreational activities - mainly skateboarding*.

Since there are no helmet standards (in terms of manufacturing) specifically for roller derby, you'll need to take extra care to ensure that you have the protection you want from your helmet purchase.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and ASTM International are two entities that test helmets for impact/safety standards.  When purchasing a helmet for roller derby, it's recommended that you look for a CPSC or ASTM International rating to ensure that the helmet has been tested and rated for impacts.

As the sport of roller derby grows, safety equipment needs continue to be re-evaluated.  Here are the most recent recommendations for helmets, listed "most suited" to "least suited" to the full-contact sport of roller derby...

1. Ice hockey helmets.  Ice hockey helmets are highly recommended for roller derby.  Hockey helmets are designed and are tested for multiple-impacts over extended periods of time.  These are helmets that are designed/built for full-contact sport and high speed, violent falls.  Hockey helmets are held to an ASTM F1045 rating standard and are certified by the HECC (the Hockey Equipment Cerification Council).  Look for a HECC label and/or a sticker that says ASTM F1045 certified on the helmet or in the web product description.  The HECC also has a listing of certified helmets on their website.

2. Multi-sport helmets that are CPSC and ASTM certified.  These helmets have the next highest recommendation for roller derby.  Consisting of ABS Shells and hard EPS or EPP foam liners, these helmets are certified for several small multiple impacts and one high/large impact.  Helmets in this category include: Nutcase Crossovers, Bern Macon Summer EPS Helmets, Bell Fraction, Bell Whiplash, ProTech Ace SXP and ProTech B2 SXP, S-One Lifer.  Model names can change so be sure to look for CPSC and ASTM ratings on the helmet or in the web product description.

3. Helmets that are CPSC certified only.  Made with hard EPS or EPP foam liners. Certified for one high impact fall.  Look for the CPSC rating on the helmet or in the web product description.  Helmets in this category include: Triple 8 Brainsaver CPSC

4. Soft-foam helmets.  Traditionally, soft foam helmets have been - and still are - marketed to skateboarders and roller derby players as multiple-impact helmets.  These helmets have been used by derby players for years, but these types of helmets do not meet impact testing standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or ASTM International.  Several states prohibit the sale of soft foam helmets for this reason. Helmets in this category include: Triple 8 Brainsaver, ProTec Classic, ProTec Ace, S-One Premium.

Finally, all of this is moot if your helmet doesn't fit your head.  Make sure that the helmet fits you properly.  It should not wobble or shake on your head.  The helmet should sit level on your head and low on your forehead—one or two finger-widths above your eyebrow. The side straps should form a "V" shape under, and slightly in front of, each ear.

*By law a bicycle helmet must meet the CPSC standard to be sold in the US market - but that law is unique to bicycle helmets, and there is no US law that says a helmet being marketed only for skateboarding and/or roller derby has to meet any standard whatsoever. The manufacturers and retailers can sell anything at all as a skateboard helmet and/or roller derby helmet as long as they don't market it for bicycling.


Links:
Windy City's study on helmet types and safety information
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bwvru-uzg6F5Utm8nH_TZd5lY8TNlCt_578tYVQSvDw/edit?hl=en&pli=1

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) table on helmet certifications.  As a relatively new sport, roller derby is not included on this list.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/349.pdf

WFTDA's helmet page
http://wftda.com/gear-up/helmets

Disclaimer: the following links are sponsored by S-One (a helmet manufacturer)
http://s-onederby.blogspot.com/2012/04/list-of-best-helmets-for-roller-derby.html
http://s-onederby.blogspot.com/2012/04/list-of-least-protective-helmets-for.html

A Fallen Star: Tough Love Advice from a Rookie

I really can't explain the concept of hard work and dedication any better than this rookie did, so I'm posting it unamended. This woman is gonna NAIL that assessment next go-around!

"A fallen star: Some of us didn't make it to or pass the White Star Assessments for a number of reasons, injury being one. I'd like to talk about why I didn't pass my assessment at the end of Spring Fresh Meat. I came into it thinking, there is no way I cannot pass. From the beginning, I knew that "sports" come naturally to me. I played basketball, softball, threw shotput/discus, powerlifted, and even ran cross country. To top it off in my adult life, I am an avid Crossfitter. I don't think I was too cocky, but I had a little pride that I wasn't willing to give up to learn. 

I became frustrated with the hurting (ankles/lower back/shins you name it... it hurt at some point)... I like to call it "butt hurt." Some things came easier to me than others, and I broke my cardinal rule. I focused on those things that were easy. When shit got hard, I bailed... Blamed it on my aching back, my cramping thighs, or my burning shins. About a month out from assessment, I stepped up my game... practiced practiced practiced... met up with Vet skaters, watched derby bouts online, tried my 27 in 5 almost every day!!

My first assessment was miserable. I started having back spasms and freaked out... I bailed. Blamed it on my back, but it was just a lot of hard work that I hadn't been participating in on a weekly basis. No matter how much you practice outside of Saturdays, you WILL NOT get the same effect. So I encourage you to show up on Saturdays, not just be there but show up!!! Participate, when you think you can't go on, stick with the drill another minute (unless you are truly injured).

My second assessment was much more relaxed... different assessors and less girls. I pushed myself harder than I ever had, why? Because I knew I had to do good!! Why didn't I have that attitude every practice?? I had NO idea that my past performances at practice would be a factor in the decision for me in passing/failing my assessment. So what should you take away from this? Show up, be present, push yourself beyond your comfort zone, because you don't make progress being comfortable. I still hate crossovers and plow stops, but you better believe every time I put on my skates, I work on them!!! Don't let your ego get in the way, be humble, and punish your weakness!!!"