Kayak Helmets - Safety on Whitewater

Kayak helmets are essential if you're into whitewater kayaking, play boating, or pressing the line with a squirt boat. A kayak helmet is a very important piece of gear. There are scads of helmets to choose from in the marketplace. A snug fit is necessary for adequate protection, but not so tight as to cause a headache. There are models that are adjustable, but most come in the usual small, medium, and large sizes. Try on many different styles and models to ensure a good fit. If you still can't find a good fit, and you're helmet is a little loose, try gluing some foam inside the rim to tighten the fit. A well-fitting helmet shouldn't jiggle when you shake your head.

The best and safest kayak helmets are designed similar to bicycle helmets and are lined completely with foam. A helmet the covers your ears will provide excellent protection.

Whether whitewater kayaking or the recreational kind, kayaking is fast becoming one of the most popular water sports. As the popularity of kayaking grows, there is a need to understand the risks involved in this sport. Kayaking helmets are one way of taking safety precautions while boating. There are different kinds of helmets for different sporting activities. The helmet that bikers use would not be appropriate for a snow mobile. Helmets are specifically designed for specific sports.

Kayak helmets are functionally designed to protect your head while you enjoy the thrills of kayaking. With kayaking helmets ranging from the conservative motorcycle-style kayak helmet to a stylish beanie-style helmet that sits entirely above the ears, the one you select depends up on the type of kayaking you wish to do.

Kayaking Helmets – What to Look For

Kayaking Helmets are necessary for kayaking and are should be worn for safety. While kayaking, if your kayak capsizes, your head is exposed to rocks and other underwater obstructions. When the kayak is tossed about in the currents, your head could bang against the underwater rocks, causing serious injury. When negotiating rapids, you require head protection. It should be mandatory. As is a PFD.

Kayak Helmets | Things To Consider

Choosing the correct Kayak helmet is very important and there are certain things to consider:

• Provide extra protection to your head by selecting a kayaking helmet having a lining of foam, either crushable or closed cell, at least half to one inch thick.
• Many whitewater kayakers are known to use kayaking helmets with holes in them, the old style type used by hockey players. These can be extremely dangerous as any material can penetrate the holes and cause major damage.
• Any kayaking helmet you choose should protect your forehead, temples, ears, and back of the head. River obstructions are likely to damage the side of your head rather than the top.
• The helmet should fit snugly and feel comfortable. It should not come off while doing rolls.

Many kayakers are known to use motorcycle, football, or rock climbing helmets while kayaking. You may feel that the previous two may be all right as they are heavy, but the climbing helmets leave your temple exposed and tend to slip off the back, with the strap around your neck.

The Safety Code of the American Whitewater Affiliation recommends that you wear a solid, snugly fitting kayaking helmet. Helmets make sense, whatever kayak you use. A good helmet, light and strong, should fit comfortably and have a quick release-chin strap buckle. A good helmet specifically designed for kayaking allows you to hear the shouts of your companions. You may feel a climbing or a cycling helmet may be OK, but it is definitely not the real thing and may not provide adequate protection for kayaking.

Kayaking Safety – The Bottom Line

As a whitewater kayaker, there is nothing better than investing in a kayak helmet. What will ultimately save you from a life-threatening blow to your head is your helmet designed specifically for kayaking. The fact that you may be without a helmet at the time of impact may not kill you, but if you're unconscious in whitewater you may endanger your group by not using a helmet. They may be risking their lives to save yours.

Kayakers enjoy the adrenaline rush of paddling through raging whitewater and challenging their skills. Kayaking these waters is in itself a matter of high risk. You can easily reduce any chances of serious injury by one small decision.
Just get yourself an appropriate kayak helmet.

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