Helmets-Opem vs Full Face

[mdupouy 0]

I've decided to but a helmet rather than always borrowing one. I'm wondering what the pros and cons are of a full face vs a open. Any suggestions?

[darkwing 5]

Mostly it is a personal preference issue. Full Face helmets give you more comfort in cold weather jumping, or if there is any precipitation, but for me it is really an issue of occasional protection. Getting kicked in the face is better with a full face.

Go to a gear store and try one of each on. Have a friend handy to kick you in the face. Of course this is not an issue if you jump alone and there will never be a bad exit or a funneled formation.

Communication is easier with an open helmet.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[AggieDave 6]

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Communication is easier with an open helmet

So is visibility.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[NickDG 23]

Jump without a helmet at all. Skydiving is about freedom, not being a meat missile.

People with helmets scare me . . .

NickD

[beowulf 1]

but then it's really hard to hold the camera steady!

[Andrewwhyte 1]

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Go to a gear store and try one of each on. Have a friend handy to kick you in the face. Of course this is not an issue if you jump alone and there will never be a bad exit or a funneled formation.

[DrewEckhardt 0]

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but then it's really hard to hold the camera steady!

Surely you could use orthopaedic screws to attach a camera mount directly to your skull. If nothing else it would be cooler than the other skydiver's piercings and body modifications.

[shropshire 0]

In the U.K, if you are a student still, you'd need to wear an open face helmet.....

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3.1. Helmets

3.1.1. Student and FAI ‘A’ Certificate (Red) parachutists must wear a suitably sturdy open faced, hard protective helmet without a peak..

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[freeflysteve 0]

Visibility is a very good point this weekend (Sunday) was jumping at Nethers and within seconds from exit my full face (bonehead havoc) not only fogged up but literally froze up i couldnt see the other jumpers(3 way) and couldnt see my alti.
The other 2 jumpers were not wearing full face so they could see me,thankfully.
I tried to partially open the helmet to clear the visor but cos the havoc is on a ratchet type system this was not easy in freefall and also the extra air it would trap would probably have done my neck no good.
My protrack went off at 4500 and 3300 and on the understanding sheer hope the other 2 had tracked off i waved off and pulled,yes they had done a good track so we all landed safely and they told me they had seen my helmet visor freeze over so were aware of my predicament.
So full face or open face? for me in these winter/spring days with UK unpredictable weather it will be open face and full face for those lovely sunny days doing bigways.
After discussion back in the packing hall it turned out lots of people had had similar problems this weekend just gone and the previous weekend,nicely heated plane and minus whatever outside.

Swooping, huh? I love that stuff ... all the flashing lights and wailing sirens ... it's very exciting!