Recreational Helmet Use in the Dunes

SeanRitchie

Well-known member
Joined
May 6, 2021
Messages
370
Reaction score
874

Dave's article on the home page stimulated me to start this thread about wearing helmets for recreational use. I am certain this topic will ignite some confrontation among many readers and contributors to this forum, which I am happy to light the match for. LOL. I do believe that respectful and intelligent debate is the best way to get all information into a readers mind so they can make their own informed decisions.

I will start by saying that I fully believe in ones right to choose how they want to have fun and enjoy their toys, and I don't believe any entity should force measures on any individual based on a minority or small percentage of incidents that will affect the majorities right to choose for themselves. Every individual has the responsibility to educate themselves and make informed decisions to their own safety. If you choose to engage in a dangerous form of recreation and choose not to utilize the appropriate safety measures to prevent serious injury to yourself (or others), you are responsible for the outcomes of any accident that causes injuries to yourself.

There is also hard evidence over many years that government mandated safety measures on the public such as seatbelts and airbags in cars, and helmet use for motorcycles has saved lives and prevented many serious head injuries (I am sure Gary Busey would agree with that statement if that portion of his brain was still working after crashing his Harley with no helmet).

With that said,

I have had quite a few conversations about this safety topic with various industry people over the years, most recently one about the tragic passing of Johnny Kaiser at the Norra 1000 race last year. From what I heard about the situation, it sounds like his passing could have been preventable if proper safety equipment was utilized. I myself will not even strap into a seat of any offroad car that is going to be driven at speeds of consequence without strapping on my race helmet and head and neck restraint (N-N-R).

We all know about the California law for helmet use in recreational caged vehicles with engines up to 999cc in displacement (I wonder how many Pro-R cars have been pulled over for helmet infractions since their release?). I think this law is somewhat good for the reason that there are lots of new drivers of SxS's that are simply inexperienced with how to operate these vehicles at the speeds they are capable of. Without digging into the numbers, I would not doubt it has saved some lives and prevented some serious injuries to a good number of people involved in accidents that otherwise would have ended badly without wearing a helmet.

It boggles my mind when I see how many people strap into these extremely high powered sand cars that I know for a fact are capable or achieving 120+ MPH in the open. What happens when that car has a sudden delamination or blow out of any one of it's tires? Or breaks a suspension mounting bracket, or looses a steering tie rod at those speeds? Most of us have seen the "Glamis Carnage" pictures on other social media outlets of the aftermath of these instances.

Now for the meat and potatoes of my thoughts on the subject, What good is wearing helmet if you are not utilizing a proper head and neck restraint with it?

Obvisouly a helmet is great for situations where your noggin is going to come into contact with an object like a roll cage bar or even the ground. But, I would argue that most rollover type accidents are going to involve very stressful forces on the neck and spine. Once you add a 3-5 pound helmet, your neck is now required to support that extra weight (and momentum) in a serious rollover accident, leading to a high chance of injury to the neck and spine. I can attest that after 20 minutes of racing in a class 10 car at race speeds, you certainly feel the weight of that helmet in your neck, and will feel it for a few days afterwards.

I do feel that if you are choosing to make the right decision and wear a helmet, you should highly consider using some from of head and neck restraint device to compliment it. Even a cheap foam neck donut is going to offer some support in the event of an accident.

I am not saying that you should not wear a helmet without an H-N-R. Any protection you add to yourself is a smart thing to do. What I am saying is that utilizing the H-N-R with a proper helmet will certainly be the smartest way to prevent a serious injury to yourself (or other) in the unfortunate instance of any form of accident.

I don't want to make this a polical discussion, but as much as I hate government interfence into our personal decisions to protect ourselves, I know that it is not something that is simply going to go away, especially in California. If we educate ourselves and others, and utilize the proper safety equipment that prevents serious injury to ourselves, we just might have the upper hand when the government starts looking at reasons to shut the public out of our public recreation areas due to a high rate of injury or death. Don't give them a reason to stick their slimy fingers into our way of having fun.
 
Good thing to think about, if you don't wear a helmet you are taking that responsibility on yourself.

Years ago when i raced local Utv tracks i would use the Simpson D-cell harness. this was only after a header crash where i was only wearing a helmet and doughnut. I had whiplash and stiff neck for a solid week.

What products are out there now for the recreation guys? The race stuff is not cheap.
 
I get it for some of these guys at the drags that are running these crazy speeds.. but I would think the ability to move your neck and look around for "traditional" duning and off-roading would offset the benefit of the neck restraint just so you can see others around you and not just the tunnel vision in front of you?

RD
 
I get it for some of these guys at the drags that are running these crazy speeds.. but I would think the ability to move your neck and look around for "traditional" duning and off-roading would offset the benefit of the neck restraint just so you can see others around you and not just the tunnel vision in front of you?

RD
Head and Neck restraints have come a looooooong way.


Only the first iteration of the HANS didn't allow full side to side movement of the head. I wore a HANS for 10 years of wheel to wheel racing, never once did I notice it hindering me. I also tested it once, in a hard head-on into the tire barrier (worst case for helmets and your neck) and felt no ill-effect afterwards.
 
Head and Neck restraints have come a looooooong way.


Only the first iteration of the HANS didn't allow full side to side movement of the head. I wore a HANS for 10 years of wheel to wheel racing, never once did I notice it hindering me. I also tested it once, in a hard head-on into the tire barrier (worst case for helmets and your neck) and felt no ill-effect afterwards.

I have never worn one before.. But you are saying you can move your neck side to side now?

RD
 
I have never worn one before.. But you are saying you can move your neck side to side now?

RD
Yep. I go into detail in the article linked, but the short/skinny is you can turn your head as far as you would without a helmet.

1736199330259.png

The tether slides freely left/right. The only limiting factor would be turning your head so that the anchor moves past the HANS body, which was impossible in my experience.
 
I've said this in other threads as well, but I think the #1 safety tool that is under utilized in our sport is proper harness, seats, and mounting. The amount of cars and SxS I see with ill fitting seats, suspension seats, 4 point harnesses, bad harness bolts, etc is just bewildering. Then to top it off, people get in the car and don't tighten the damn belts. That's how you hit your head. Car rolls and you move 2 feet in your seat and hit your head. Proper seats, proper mounting, and proper harnesses are the most important safety feature you can have in your car. Then TIGHTEN YOUR DAMN BELTS. They are made to be safe, not comfortable, and the proper ones can be both.

I switch back n forth in my car with my helmet. When we are going for a cruise, I just wear my headset. If we are going for a sh*t n git, i'll put my helmet on. I need a new neck roll though. HANS are designed to prevent your head from coming off your neck when going from moving to stopped. But don't do much in a compression situation. Both Neck roll and HANS is really the proper way to go
 
I've said this in other threads as well, but I think the #1 safety tool that is under utilized in our sport is proper harness, seats, and mounting. The amount of cars and SxS I see with ill fitting seats, suspension seats, 4 point harnesses, bad harness bolts, etc is just bewildering. Then to top it off, people get in the car and don't tighten the damn belts. That's how you hit your head. Car rolls and you move 2 feet in your seat and hit your head. Proper seats, proper mounting, and proper harnesses are the most important safety feature you can have in your car. Then TIGHTEN YOUR DAMN BELTS. They are made to be safe, not comfortable, and the proper ones can be both.

I switch back n forth in my car with my helmet. When we are going for a cruise, I just wear my headset. If we are going for a sh*t n git, i'll put my helmet on. I need a new neck roll though. HANS are designed to prevent your head from coming off your neck when going from moving to stopped. But don't do much in a compression situation. Both Neck roll and HANS is really the proper way to go
Well Stated. Cant agree more. Have been on my lid before and know the importance of the right seat, belts and tightness.
 
I have zero interest in any one person, group, or government entity forcing me to use any safety device. Anywhere, period. I value personal freedom and personal responsibility. I've also fractured 4 vertebrae. Since that crash, i wear some sort of neck protection from a carting neck roll to this original leatt brace. I understand the modern versions are substantially more comfortable. As far as helmets, cycle world magazine used to use a quote, paraphrased as 90% of motorcycle deaths would be prevented if people rode sober and used a helmet. There is no doubt it works and no doubt we all run out of talent at some point.
IMG_6202.jpg
 
I flopped my sxs on the drivers side over new years trip. It happens fast, luckily i know to keep my hands in and on the steering wheel.

It makes you really think on how you are going to exit a flopped or rolled car. Struggled to reach over and disconnect my helmet coms and pumper while on my side. Then reach donw and pull the latch off the 5 points and stand up. My big ass wasnt fitting out the windsheild with steering wheel and Gps on passenger side. Open the passenger door and climbed up and jumped off into the sand.

Makes you think about those with really low roof lines or panicking passengers. And even some of the stupid lambo style nets you people use.

1736218074924.png
 
Side x side-helmet, window nets, 4 point harnesses, upgrading belts this year

Buggy in sand- helmet, Simpson hybrid head and neck, arm restraints, gloves

Dragster and buggy at track-helmet, head sock, Simpson hybrid, arm restraints, gloves, racing shoes, nomex socks and shirt, 3 layer suit,

Once you wear the safety gear a bit you get used to it and you feel naked without it
 
BTW the California law has been changed to eliminate the 999cc engine stipulation and now includes ALL off-road vehicles including buggies, Jeeps, etc. The only vehicles excluded are golf carts.
 
BTW the California law has been changed to eliminate the 999cc engine stipulation and now includes ALL off-road vehicles including buggies, Jeeps, etc. The only vehicles excluded are golf carts.
Are you referring to what CA defines an ROV as? Can you provide a link to the CA.gov website that explains this change or provide the bulletin? This is a pretty big deal if true....

All I can find is that helmets are required for use of an "ROV". They (being CA) define an "ROV" as:

CVC Section 500 reads: Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle means a motor vehicle meeting all of the following criteria:
(a) Designed by the manufacturer for operation primarily off of the highway.
(b) Has a steering wheel for steering control.
(c) Has nonstraddle seating provided by the manufacturer for the operator and all passengers.
(d) (1) Has a maximum speed capability of greater than 30 miles per hour.
(2) A vehicle designed by the manufacturer with a maximum speed capability of 30 miles per hour or less but is modified so that it has a maximum speed capability of greater than 30 miles per hour satisfies the criteria set forth in this subdivision.
(e) Has an engine displacement equal to or less than 1,000cc (61 ci).
Found at this link: https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27288


Not trying to avoid having to use a helmet in my sandcar. I just don't want to be unprepared and receive a ticket. Just like what @acefuture said, there are rides that only require headsets and then there are rides that require helmets lol. Any backup information on this law change is greatly appreciated @Wcimb
 
I’m sorry I can not refer you to anything as it was a camp fire discussion over New Years and I didn’t get the hard data. Maybe CA DMV???
 
I called one of the people in our “discussion” and they told me the latest version has changed the definition of an ROV to include basically everything but a golf cart. However he also told me he read that BLM will be using “selective enforcement”, whatever that means.
I found it interesting that over Thanksgiving and New Years this year (last year? 2024) I noticed only about half the people in SxS’s were wearing helmets!
 
I found it interesting that over Thanksgiving and New Years this year (last year? 2024) I noticed only about half the people in SxS’s were wearing helmets!
I noticed the same thing. A lot of CanAm drivers weren’t wearing helmets.
 
I’m going to go ahead and disagree 100% with this even though I have nothing to back up my argument. Just because one person sitting around drinking at a camp fire states “facts” that’s this is true doesn’t mean I will believe it.
This is literally “the internet said it’s true so it must be true” type of a thing.
🤷🏽‍♂️
Am I wrong for having this viewpoint?

Does this also, if I’m reading this correctly, mean I can have a 1000cc street bike motor in a golf car with no seat belts and there’s no helmet needed?????
 
There is this same discussion on FB right now about somebody deciding to buy a Polaris ultimate so they dont need a helmet. All the CA riders are arguing you will die without a helmet. All of us AZ riders switched from Dirt bikes to 4 wheels with cages so we dont have to wear a helmet.


no helmets.jpg
 
Last edited:
Back
Top