Helmets for EMT training at Sears?

[synfinatic]

Once upon a time I heard Sears was looking for old/damaged helmets for EMT training. Is that still true? If so I've got 4 old and/or slightly damaged helmets I'm no longer needing and could donate. Anyone have any contact or other info?

 

[SFSV650]

I've just dropped them off at fire department stations; sometimes they're a little confused at first but they always take them and say they'll be helpful.

 

[synfinatic]

Never heard of that before. Thanks for the tip.

 

[boney]

I've just dropped them off at fire department stations; sometimes they're a little confused at first but they always take them and say they'll be helpful.

Please find where the appropriate training facility is for your local fire jurisdiction and contact them to see if they want the helmet. Then please take it to that location. It's the only way to be sure your old, expired or crashed helmet actually makes it there.

 

[budman]

This is a pretty cool deal. :thumbup

I am going to give it a go.

 

[two wheel tramp]

Please find where the appropriate training facility is for your local fire jurisdiction and contact them to see if they want the helmet. Then please take it to that location. It's the only way to be sure your old, expired or crashed helmet actually makes it there.

Do you perchance know where that might be in SF? I'm guessing firehouse 7 since they have the mock building, etc, there. I have some helmets to donate.

 

[boney]

Do you perchance know where that might be in SF? I'm guessing firehouse 7 since they have the mock building, etc, there. I have some helmets to donate.

All of SFFD medical training happens out on Treasure Island. Give em a ring, see if they need any....318-4500

 

[1footdown]

Please find where the appropriate training facility is for your local fire jurisdiction and contact them to see if they want the helmet. Then please take it to that location. It's the only way to be sure your old, expired or crashed helmet actually makes it there.

remind us: when is your helmet expired?

 

[FreeRyde]

remind us: when is your helmet expired?

When you smash into the ground with your head in it. :wtf

 

[boney]

remind us: when is your helmet expired?

I think the industry rule of thumb is 5 years. I generally take good care of mine and run them a few longer. That is, when I find one I want to keep that long.

 

[kingmoochr]

Do you perchance know where that might be in SF? I'm guessing firehouse 7 since they have the mock building, etc, there. I have some helmets to donate.

CCSF Applied Science (EMT/Medic/FF) might be interested as well. They're at the Hayes campus. SFFD doesn't teach new medics, so they have less use for them.

 

[thedub]

remind us: when is your helmet expired?

I think the industry rule of thumb is 5 years. I generally take good care of mine and run them a few longer. That is, when I find one I want to keep that long.

Shoei says 5 years from the date of purchase or 7 years from the date of manufacture, whichever comes first.

I still don't know how much of that is the truth and how much is because they want you to buy a new helmet...?

I retired a helmet this season year that I wore since 2010. Didn't bother me a bit.

 

[synfinatic]

Shoei says 5 years from the date of purchase or 7 years from the date of manufacture, whichever comes first.

I still don't know how much of that is the truth and how much is because they want you to buy a new helmet...?

I retired a helmet this season year that I wore since 2010. Didn't bother me a bit.

The issue is that the the protective foam degrades over time and thus the protection isn't up to par. You wouldn't be able to notice without doing the necessary testing as it doesn't "fall apart" or anything like that.

 

[thedub]

The issue is that the the protective foam degrades over time and thus the protection isn't up to par. You wouldn't be able to notice without doing the necessary testing as it doesn't "fall apart" or anything like that.

Yes, I know, that's the conventional wisdom. But even after seeing it written on the internet over and over, I'm not convinced it's true.

If I was a helmet manufacturer, it would be pretty easy to just say "yeah, the eps liner will start to degrade after 5 years, so you better just buy another one". Oh, and how convenient that the deterioration is not noticeable or visually verifiable.

Has a reliable, independent, 3rd party ever actually tested that? I mean like take a new helmet off the shelf, do the SNELL drop tests (or whatever), have someone wear the helmet in the real world for 10 years, then test it again?

 

[synfinatic]

I don't know anyone who's bought a helmet and then waited 5+ years to test.

I also know enough that compounds like foam do degrade overtime when exposed to chemicals in the air (ozone, etc) and sunlight (probably less of an issue). Not to mention that human sweat is acidic (ph 4 to 5.5). But I'm not a chemist or materials scientist.

IIRC, the life expectancy is more of a DOT/SNELL issue... Ie: the certification is only good for that long, but I could be mistaken. It's quite possible that some mfg's use foam which would last longer but the standard doesn't account for that. It's also possible that the companies know it's probably good for a few years longer, but error on conservative side because they don't have control of how the helmet is used/stored and they go with the most pessimistic model to CYA.

I pay retail price for my Shoei's and honestly consider it money well spent.

 

[1footdown]

i have a shoei from 2010, so i guess I’ll start looking for a new lid. previously, my helmets went with the bikes when i sold rhem.

 

[thedub]

I pay retail price for my Shoei's and honestly consider it money well spent.

Definitely agreed on that.

i have a shoei from 2010, so i guess I’ll start looking for a new lid. previously, my helmets went with the bikes when i sold rhem.

Regardless of any recommended replacement intervals, I think 8 years is a good run for a helmet that's seen regular use. Even if you wash the liner, they start to get a little grungy, plus the exterior gets all scuffed and scratched up eventually. Also, they do, in fact, make improvements in new/updated models. New helmets are nice.

 

[justanotherg20]

Yes, I know, that's the conventional wisdom. But even after seeing it written on the internet over and over, I'm not convinced it's true.

If I was a helmet manufacturer, it would be pretty easy to just say "yeah, the eps liner will start to degrade after 5 years, so you better just buy another one". Oh, and how convenient that the deterioration is not noticeable or visually verifiable.

Has a reliable, independent, 3rd party ever actually tested that? I mean like take a new helmet off the shelf, do the SNELL drop tests (or whatever), have someone wear the helmet in the real world for 10 years, then test it again?

I don't know anyone who's bought a helmet and then waited 5+ years to test.

I also know enough that compounds like foam do degrade overtime when exposed to chemicals in the air (ozone, etc) and sunlight (probably less of an issue). Not to mention that human sweat is acidic (ph 4 to 5.5). But I'm not a chemist or materials scientist.

IIRC, the life expectancy is more of a DOT/SNELL issue... Ie: the certification is only good for that long, but I could be mistaken. It's quite possible that some mfg's use foam which would last longer but the standard doesn't account for that. It's also possible that the companies know it's probably good for a few years longer, but error on conservative side because they don't have control of how the helmet is used/stored and they go with the most pessimistic model to CYA.

I pay retail price for my Shoei's and honestly consider it money well spent.

+1, it'd be difficult to replicate expected conditions (whatever one considers expected conditions) for five years for a test. Helmet gets exposed to heat, cold, rain, the occasional pebble kicked up by a car in front of you, it takes a lot of punishment simply by existing on your head and not in climate controlled conditions.

That said, I do think it's part CYA in the same way medications have expiration dates -- IIRC it's considered expired when it's down to like 70-80% of its effectiveness. It still works, and in a pinch you'd be more than fine using it, just know that it won't be as potent as a fresh one.