The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) will update its helmet standards in January 2016. While this is a regular and planned update, there's been some concern about what the new standard will mean for helmets currently on the market and in tack trunks and on heads!
Horse safety includes a helmet
The most common reason among horse back riders for admission to hospital and death are head injuries. About 70,000 people go to the emergency room each year for equestrian-related injuries.
© 2015 by Equine Guelph
Here's what the Safety Equipment Institue (SEI), the independent organization that certifies helmets to ASTM standards, has to say according to The Horse Of Course :
- The change to the ASTM standard will have minimal impact on current helmet design.
- Any helmets currently labeled to meet ASTM standards can continue to be sold, and will not lose their certification.
- Just because the SEI will start to certify helmets to a new standard starting January 2016 doesn't mean helmets that are certified to current standards are no good.
- Helmets currently on the US market meet the USEF requirements for protective headgear and are the best that are available today.
- The USEF Safety Committee is not anticipating any rule change regarding protective headgear.
That means there's no cause for concern with regards to purchasing a helmet immediately that meets current ASTM standards! Helmets certified to current standard will still be good.
When should I replace my helmet?
It's important know when to replace your helmet so you can stay safe! Replace it:
- After a fall in which it touches the ground. Even if it appears undamaged, you should replace it; helmets are designed to absorb the energy of an impact through partial deconstruction of the helmet. You may not be able to see interior damage!
- When it turns 5 years old. Count this from the date of purchase of the helmet. Over time, aging helmet materials degrade from body heat, moisture, and general use.
- If the fit becomes loose. If your helmet begins to feel loose for any reason, replace it with one that fits properly!
Did you know that horseback riding has a higher injury rate than motorcycle riding? Because the hospital admission rate for injured riders (0.49/1000 hours) is greater than motorcycle riding (0.14/1000 hours), football and skiing, it is definitely considered a high-risk activity.
The most common reason among riders for admission to hospital and death are head injuries. About 70,000 people go to the emergency room each year for equestrian-related injuries. About 12,000 of those people have suffered head injuries.
Helmets work. Most deaths from head injury can be prevented by wearing ASTM/SEI approved helmets that fit correctly and have the harness firmly applied.
To get the most protection out of your helmet, it needs to fit you well, and be properly adjusted every single time you ride, including a snug chin strap