On 9-Sep-2003, "Paul Skoczylas" wrote:

Speaking as a person who has almost always worn a hockey helmet in
whitewater, I feel somewhat qualified to address this.
[useful observations elided...}

So if someone wanted to market a WW helmet, how hard would it be to
get a hockey helmet manufacturer to make it waterproof - different glue,
no water degradable parts etc? These are minor mods.

The biggest safety issue with hockey helmets is that the foam is not
designed to be in contact with water.

The type of foam is an issue, though.

I know someone who worked at a plastics company and they made hockey
helmet liners for a major maker (wouldn't tell me who). He gave me lots of scrap
foam from the manufacture (seconds and off-cuts) and I've used it for padding
my kayaks. It's a good closed cell foam and works fine. A tad softer than
minicell and comfy as anything. No problems with water.

In your case, it would seem the maker would have to switch to another type of
foam and that could involve re-testing to certify. However, that's seems
brand dependent.

My point is that the R&D work's been done and a tough, full-coverage helmet
(degree of face protection optional), that can take lots of knocks already exist.
Starting from scratch is not a good idea.

Mike