Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: Safety Helmets, motorcycle helmet, bellhelmets

Question
Hi Paul,

I've read that during a lot of tornados head injuries are a major cause of death. One website recommended having a metal trash can over your head for protection, but I would think something like a strap on helmet with the highest impact rating available would be more secure and much better. I am referring to a possibly good precaution here for people who don't have storm shelters.
Could you tell me what types of helmets on the market would give the greatest protection against head injury during a tornado or extremely high winds? I would think some type of motorcycle helmet, but maybe there's  something better out there.

Best,

Mike E.

Answer
Hi Mike,

I'm not an expert in tornado related injuries, but am very aware of how may accident/injury reports are written.

For example, a final injury report may say something like: "...died from head injury...", but the actual event was something like: "...person was hit in the head by a flying tree, then sucked up by the wind and carried over 100 miles in 200 mph winds.  Body was subjected to various impacts with objects such as; Cars, Trucks, Buildings, Rocks, Steel posts, etc.  Howwever, the first impact to the  head caused the death.

Although a helmet is great protection against head injuries, in the case of a tornado, I think that the only thing it would change would be the reported cause of the death.

A metal trash can over your head?   Now that's funny!

The safest place to be during a tornado is either under ground, or in a place where there is no tornado.

So far as types of good helmets available, any helmet with a DOT or Snell certification is a good helmet.  Personally, I use Shoei helmet, although there are others that are equally as good.

Shoei: www.shoei.com
Arai: www.araihelmet.com
Nolan: www.nolanhelmets.com
Bell:  www.bellhelmets.com
Simpson:  www.simpsonraceproducts.com


Cheers, and watch out for the flying trees!