Helmet Safety

The EMSA strongly recommends the wearing of a properly fitted ASTM/SEI certified equestrian helmet with the harness secured during equestrian activities. Head injuries account for approximately 60% of deaths resulting from equestrian accidents. Properly fitted ASTM/SEI certified helmets can prevent death and reduce the severity of head injuries sustained while riding.

To see some representative photos of different styles of helmets available for the various equestrian disciplines and activities, click here . 

There are many other available models on the market.  For a current list of helmets certified by the Safety Equipment Institute to ASTM standard F1163, please go to http://www.seinet.org and click on “Certified Products”,  then click on Equestrian Helmets. (There is also a link to their site on the left side of this page.) The SEI list changes very frequently, constantly adding new products and manufacturers. These are the helmets required by many equestrian rules-making bodies and organizations.

Certain sports use different standards, and we have included some of those as well, for the sports of Polo and  Bull Riding.  Standardbred Racing requires helmets made to the Snell Standard, and a list of their certified models can be found at http://www.smf.org .

A few words to the wise:  ASTM/SEI helmets contain their date of manufacture and the SEI seal.  Since most manufacturers recommend replacement after five years or so, or whenever the helmet takes a hard blow. When buying a new helmet it makes sense to check that date, especially if buying online or from an auction site, since some helmets sold there may be remaindered stock several years old.

Some manufacturers offer replacement helmets for those which have been impacted at a reduced price.  That information should be contained in the box with the helmet in a “User’s Manual” or on a tag attached to the helmet. To take advantage of this policy you will need your original bill of sale, so it is wise to keep it in a safe place. And the truly wise will read and keep the fitting instructions and the Manual for future reference.

There are a myriad of riding helmets available with prices from very modest to extravagant, and all of them surpass the requirements of the standard. It has become much easier to find properly fitting models for all the disciplines, including through catalog and internet sales.

Past issues of the EMSA newsletters contain many articles on riding helmets.  The index on the newsletter page can be sorted by subject or author to guide you to more information.

For specific questions and concerns, please contact Dru Malavase , the Co-Chairman of the ASTM Equestrian Headgear Task Group.  Her email is drumalavase@hotmail.com.

Click HERE for AMEA/SRF, USEA, USEF Concussion Brochure

• Click HERE for Concussion Guidelines Palm Card
• Click HERE to Order a Helmet Fitting Poster

 

Poster compliments of Dr. Elizabeth Greene at UVM

Concussion is a highly debated topic in equestrian sports at present. Of course, the wearing of a properly fitted ASTM/SEI helmet with the harness secured will hopefully prevent or lessen the severity of a concussion, it is recommended that anyone sustaining a blow to the head or symptoms of a concussion (dizziness,lightheadedness,unconsciousness, blurred vision, nausea, vomting or impaired judgement) be medically evaluated. For the latest information regarding concussion and sports click the following link:

Statement from First International Conference on Concussion in Sport

The EMSA would like to congratulate the USEA and USA Equestrian on their mandatory ASTM/SEI helmet rule for eventing effective January 1, 2003 ( Article 1713 USA Equestrian 2003 Rules ). We stongly encourage other disciplines to follow their lead and mandate the use of properly fitted ASTM/SEI helmets.

The EMSA would also like to thank all of the manufacturers and distributors of ASTM/SEI certified helmets for their assistance and dedication to the safety of our sport. Without their assistance, we could not carry out our mission.

 

Equestrian Helmet Facts:

• Fact #1: Between 12 to 15 million persons in the United States ride a horse or pony every year.
• Fact # 2: Approximately 20 percent of horse related injuries occur on the ground and not riding.
• Fact # 3: Most riding injuries occur during pleasure riding.
• Fact # 4: The most common reason among riders for admission to hospital and death. are head injuries.
• Fact # 5: A fall from two feet (60 cm) can cause permanent brain damage. A horse elevates a rider eight feet (three meters) or more above ground.
• Fact # 6: A human skull can be shattered by an impact of 7-10 kph. Horses can gallop at 65 kph.
• Fact # 7: According to the National Electronic Surveillance System figures the most likely ages for injury is at 5-14, and 25-44 years with each decade having about 20 percent of the injuries.
• Fact # 8: A rider who has one head injury has a 40 percent chance of suffering a second head injury. Children, teens and young adults are most vulnerable to sudden death from second impact syndrome: severe brain swelling as a result of suffering a second head injury before recovery from the first head injury.
• Fact # 9: Death is not the only serious outcome of unprotected head injuries. Those who survive with brain injury may suffer epilepsy, intellectual and memory impairment, and personality changes.
• Fact # 10: Hospital costs for an acute head injury can be in the range of $25000 per day. Lifetime extended care costs may easily exceed $3 million. There is no funding for rehabilitation outside the medical setting.
• Fact # 11: Helmets work. Most deaths from head injury can be prevented by wearing ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials), SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) approved helmets that fit correctly and have the harness firmly applied. Other types of helmets, including bike helmets, are inadequate.
• Fact # 12: Racing organizations require helmets and as a result jockeys now suffer less head injuries than pleasure riders. The US Pony Club lowered their head injury rate 29 percent with mandatory helmet use. Britain's hospital admission rate for equestrians fell 46 percent after helmet design improved and they became in routine use.
• Fact # 13: The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Medical Association through the Committee on Sports Medicine, Canadian Medical Association, and the American Medical Equestrian Association/Safe Riders Foundation recommend that approved, fitted and secured helmets be worn on all rides by all horseback riders.

©2010 EMSA