Helmet for Freeflying

[Evelyn 0]

I've noticed that freeflyers tend to wear open face helmets with goggles rather than a full face helmet. Just wondering if that is a matter of personal preference or if there's a specific reason (like will the face shield on a full face helmet come open during freeflying?). I have both types of helmets, but prefer my full face helmet, so am wondering if it's okay to wear it if I'm just going to be sit flying. I'm just learning to freefly, so far have just learned a basic sit, but want to eventually learn everything. I'm totally clueless about which helmet to wear, if it matters or why.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller

[AggieDave 6]

I've seen people FF with full face helmets and have no problems. On the other hand, I've seen visors pop up and snap off and helmets come clean off before as well.

Bonehead makes the Boomerang which is a "freefly fullface" its really secure, but some folks don't like it.

My FF helmet is an Optik with a camera, but I started life with a Mindwarp (that I still have and use quite a bit actually) that's treated me well.

It really comes down to finding something you like and is comfy, understanding that if its a "traditional" full face that it might break and/or come off.

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

[grosfion 0]

It's really a personal choice, I like my full face helmet without the visor. I'm just using normal goggles or sunglasses.

If you have a nice smile then maybe it's better to use an open face, you can put your tongue out

Sometimes it's nice to see the peoples face how much fun they have, when I do video. But if you talking about the safety aspect concerning landings, thats another question.

blues
Marcus

[skymama 37]

I've worn my full face on over 300 freefly jumps and have never had a problem doing a sit, head down or transitions. My visor is not made to move up and down though so your results may be different. For just sitting though, I think you'll be fine.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[Zoter 0]

Hi Evelyn.....I am just about to leave LA after a brief spell at Perris....( very nice DZ !!!)
Just wanted to say I did a jump with another Brit who was wearing a full face and visor.....and the visor sheared off in a two way sit, without doing anything radical at all..( it was a Z1 )

That said I have seen some other full face wearers who seem to have a 'modification'...either tape the visor down....or get some metal covers over the ratchet mechanism ( this is where the plastic lenses break I think)

Open faced helmets are cooler anyways......ya get to actually smile at the multiple cameras that freefliers have on every dive ( ...apparantly)

[Levin 0]

Quote

it was a Z1

i've know of and have witnessed several Z1 helmets loose i's visor on a freefly jump. i've not seen or heard of any Sky System helmets loosing a visor, however I know of several including my Factory Diver that have completely come off on a freefly jump. I recommend getting either an open or full face Bonehead helmet. If you have a wide head checkout the Hawkeye.

[Courteney 0]

I used to ff in my Oxygen A3 until it's visor ripped off at 160mph, since then it's popped up even in rw.
Didn't think a Z1 would do the same, oh well.

My wife's Mindwarp or my Optik with camera suits me fine.

Cheers.

...drags me down like some sweet gravity!!!

[j3zz 0]

If you want maximum safty without the risk of the visor being damaged use a full face with the visor removed then just a pair of goggles\sunnies

I have seen this done a lot and think it should work.
Have not tried it

Jezz

"Now I know why the birds fly"
Hinton Skydivers

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

Maybe you can demo some open faced helmets at Perris or Elsinore while FFing to see how you like them.

You can always borrow mine if it fits you. I also have about 1/2 dozen googles that you can borrow. Ask me this weekend, ok?

• Quote

[Evelyn 0]

Thanks Rosa, sweet of you to offer. But I've actually got both types of helmets, just wasn't sure which one I should wear for sit flying. After reading the posts, I'm gonna wear my open face helmet for FF, otherwise I'd probably be worried the face shield on my Oxygn would come open....and you know me, I worry enough and don't need anything extra to worry about

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller

[diablopilot 2]

Quote

since then it's popped up even in rw.

You probably broke the ratchets that alow the visor to hinge. They are very inexpensive to replace. PM me for details.

----------------------------------------------
You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[weegegirl 2]

Hey Evelyn. Sounds like you've already made a decision to wear your open-faced while ffing. Good choice if you ask me.

Personally, I can't stand freeflying with people who are wearing a fullface. It's next to impossible to communicate with them. My freefly buddies and I do a lot of lip reading and other crap while on dives. Also, being able to see someone's eyes is hugely important to me.

I've had a freefly coach who wore a fullface and I got very little out of the dive. For whatever reason, it just builds walls and takes the flow out of things.

Just my thoughts.

[Courteney 0]

I checked the ratchets, they seem fine. Just the replacement visor didn't fit as snug as the original one thus if the air flow hits it just right and if I'm moving fast enough it sometimes pops open.
Thanks anyway.

...drags me down like some sweet gravity!!!