Helmets for solo sailers?

Ru88ell

Ru88ell

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I sail alone mostly, on a small boat, and as I gain experience I'm sailing further from port. Whilst sailing in the Kyles of Bute I fell and cut my knee open - it really needed stitches, but I was able to craft some steri-strips from plasters to pull it together to get me home. I always wear my LJ, and I have safety lines in use.

What concerns me though is how I'd deal with a nasty head injury. I was once clouted by the boom of my Laser2000 - there were plenty of people around to help, and needed hospital treatment. I'm considering getting a canoe helmet for when the risk of a fall increases. Does anyone already wear one? If so, what type?
 
Ru88ell said:
I sail alone mostly, on a small boat, and as I gain experience I'm sailing further from port. Whilst sailing in the Kyles of Bute I fell and cut my knee open - it really needed stitches, but I was able to craft some steri-strips from plasters to pull it together to get me home. I always wear my LJ, and I have safety lines in use.

What concerns me though is how I'd deal with a nasty head injury. I was once clouted by the boom of my Laser2000 - there were plenty of people around to help, and needed hospital treatment. I'm considering getting a canoe helmet for when the risk of a fall increases. Does anyone already wear one? If so, what type?
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I have my old kayak helmet on board for if ever have to go up the mast in rough conditions, or under to cut a rope off. Makes sense to me. Of course there will be those who disdain any sort of personal protection, but that is their choice.
 
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Comrade Red said:
I have my old kayak helmet on board for if ever have to go up the mast in rough conditions, or under to cut a rope off. Makes sense to me.
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That seems perfectly sensible to me. But wearing one at all times as Russell seems to be suggesting? Paranoia if you ask me. You'd be better off wearing it to walk down the road in case a car mounts the pavement and hits you.

Pete
 
prv said:
That seems perfectly sensible to me. But wearing one at all times as Russell seems to be suggesting? Paranoia if you ask me. You'd be better off wearing it to walk down the road in case a car mounts the pavement and hits you.

Pete
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I didn't mean at all times - perhaps at the point that I've put a reef in, or when the seaway is throwing the boat around and I'm more liable to slip, fall and bang my head on a hard surface or corner.
 
Ru88ell said:
What concerns me though is how I'd deal with a nasty head injury. I was once clouted by the boom of my Laser2000 - there were plenty of people around to help, and needed hospital treatment. I'm considering getting a canoe helmet for when the risk of a fall increases. Does anyone already wear one? If so, what type?
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It is amazing to see the British fascination with helmets. Is that a fetish?
 
haydude said:
It is amazing to see the British fascination with helmets. Is that a fetish?
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Most cases like working under a 10 tonne suspended load seems daft or a recent visit to an open field where building was due to start 'helmets must be worn'
Things like climbing,motor bikes etc. quite a good idea. Keeps your head warm too.
How about padding on the boom?
 
Ru88ell said:
I sail alone mostly, on a small boat, and as I gain experience I'm sailing further from port. Whilst sailing in the Kyles of Bute I fell and cut my knee open - it really needed stitches, but I was able to craft some steri-strips from plasters to pull it together to get me home. I always wear my LJ, and I have safety lines in use.

What concerns me though is how I'd deal with a nasty head injury. I was once clouted by the boom of my Laser2000 - there were plenty of people around to help, and needed hospital treatment. I'm considering getting a canoe helmet for when the risk of a fall increases. Does anyone already wear one? If so, what type?
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You can get 'bump hat' baseball caps, which are easy to wear & you wouldn't be embarrased wearing, should you meet another forumite.
I've used them when working on commercial work boats, so visit you local industrial safety stuff shop.

Also http://www.arco.co.uk/products/409400
 
Our local chandlery used to sell woolly hats with a built in hard top but I have not seen them in stock recently. Always seemed like a useful item but I never got round to buying one.

Seems like you can buy peaked caps (if you're into that style of headwear) with built in protection here.
 
Ru88ell said:
What concerns me though is how I'd deal with a nasty head injury.
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<cynical_mode>
You don't, unless you can while blacked out.
</cynical_mode>

Head injuries are rather different to other physical injuries in that you can black out. This adds a whole new dimention to risk. :eek:

I tend not to worry about it, otherwise you would not get out of bed in the morning. ;)
 
single said:
Most cases like working under a 10 tonne suspended load seems daft or a recent visit to an open field where building was due to start 'helmets must be worn' ....
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Its to protect against dropped objects from height such as a spanner falling off the top of the 10 ton load. Your observations are exactly why blanket safety rules are made because most individuals cant asses all risks for various reasons e.g. the rigger who got distracted on his mobile phone and left the spanner up there.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
Its to protect against dropped objects from height such as a spanner falling off the top of the 10 ton load. Your observations are exactly why blanket safety rules are made because most individuals cant asses all risks for various reasons e.g. the rigger who got distracted on his mobile phone and left the spanner up there.
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At lift out or lift in the YC always insist on helmets being worn - always seemed irrelevant when boats weighing several tons are being slung around.
 
reginaldon said:
At lift out or lift in the YC always insist on helmets being worn - always seemed irrelevant when boats weighing several tons are being slung around.
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I agree it does and the risks are probably very low if everyone stays clear, but stuff has fallen of mast tops before.
 
I sometimes wear a cycling helmet when single handed.

I don't care what anybody else thinks. It's not an inconvenience, and I've no desire to end my days with my brains bashed out by the boom. Has the added benefit of saving my head from severe sunburn and subsequent possible skin cancer.

I admit I also wear a cycling helmet whilst cycling :o
 
elton said:
I sometimes wear a cycling helmet when single handed.

I don't care what anybody else thinks. It's not an inconvenience, and I've no desire to end my days with my brains bashed out by the boom. Has the added benefit of saving my head from severe sunburn and subsequent possible skin cancer.

I admit I also wear a cycling helmet whilst cycling :o
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What about your LJ?




























When cycling?;)
 
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