Do wakeboard helmets help prevent head injuries?

[flapjack]

Interesting that so many posts talk about busting ear drums, never really knew that was a common risk. Is it because guys are good enough to see the face plant coming so you turn your head?

It's kind of the opposite. The best way to take a crash it to tuck your head and get your head/forehead to the water first (watch an experienced barefooter fall) If you are fighting the fall and turn your face away from the water, you break and ear drum.

Ski-ski dudes have a big lever attached to their a**. If they come in the water crooked, they are slapped to the water with no time to adjust... hence that danger.

[Tyger]

Short answer, YES, will not prevent all accidents, but will definitely help... much more PRO's than CON's....

Definitely agree.

We were headed to the dock one day and saw a boarder who had been doing some mad invents go down hard. We cruised over there to find him non-responsive in the water. We carefully checked him, then got him on the swim platform and my wife stayed in the water for 2 hours holding his head up straight until the first responders got there and put him on a stretcher.

As far as best brands, I would definitely try them on first. Fit is as important as anything, people have different shaped heads and they are just made different. I wouldn't want to buy a helmet without making sure it fit snugly and comfortably.

[nemalibu]

Blew out my eardrum on the first day of my vacation a couple of weeks ago. Could not ski or ride all vacation and still can't.

Just ordered a helmet (pro-tec ace wake).

[Tory1340]

I wear a Pro-Tec Wake Ace all the time now. It's just another piece of gear like the vest. Two weeks ago I landed on my face and shook it off after trying different line lengths and speeds.

I wear helmets for an awful lot, but I'm not on the short bus! Hockey, bike, motorcycle, wakeboard - I'm used to it. Once you're accustomed to wearing it, you won't regret it.

My surgeon godfather always said he saw more injuries from seatbelts than people not wearing them. The ones he didn't see went to the morgue...

[Levi900RR]

I wear helmets for an awful lot, but I'm not on the short bus! Hockey, bike, motorcycle, wakeboard - I'm used to it. Once you're accustomed to wearing it, you won't regret it.

I surfed for the first time a week or so ago... Go up on the board, something felt weird. I had forgot the helmet! I let go of the rope and got it. Just like my seat belt, I cant roll without it.

My surgeon godfather always said he saw more injuries from seatbelts than people not wearing them. The ones he didn't see went to the morgue...

That is an awesome line!

[nemalibu]

After having my eardrum blow out on the first morning of my vacation a couple of years ago I now wear a helmet all the time, except for surfing. I also have my wife and kids wearing them too.

I have had a few hard falls where I think the helmet made it hurt less and I took a ski in the back of the head last year and was glad to have the helmet.

I have talked a few other folks into helmets and have heard a number of thanks including from one of my ski buddies who took a ski to the face - bounced off the helmet, not a scratch on his face.

[Launch22]

I busted my ear drum a few years ago on big crash. I was so dizzy I didn't know what end was up. I took on a bunch of water before I made it back to the boat. The thing that freaked me out the most is that I am almost totally def in one ear and the ear drum I busted was my good ear. So I could not hear! after that I started wearing ear plugs and occasionally a helmet.

I had not had any other injuries until yesterday I threw my lower back out. No crash or anything, I was just trying out a new board and edging out real hard. I had to go to the doc this morn. I could barely get out of bed. Lol I guess thats the price you must pay for this much fun. I need to switch to surfing.

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Edited June 9, 2013 by Launch22

[Number01]

I'm another one That caught a front edge and split the back of my head open with the back of the boarded. I wear one every time I go boarding.