# Helmet Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [April 24, 2009, 6:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695 "2009-04-24T06:43:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Daddie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/daddie/32/7621_2.png) [@Daddie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Daddie)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 6:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/1 "2009-04-24T06:43:55Z")
I have a helmet I bought about 5 to 6 years ago. What I do know about helmets : If you drop them from 6’ or above once, the protecting foam will most likely shatter and your helmet won’t protect your head nearly as well, or at all. What I don’t know : Do they have a shelf life? ---
**Author:** ![Zer0DazE](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zer0daze/32/7624_2.png) [@Zer0DazE](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Zer0DazE)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 6:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/2 "2009-04-24T06:44:44Z")
dude, they don’t make helmets big enough for your sputnik sized head. sorry, i couldn’t help myself \<3 ---
**Author:** ![tpgsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tpgsr/32/7374_2.png) [@tpgsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tpgsr)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 6:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/3 "2009-04-24T06:48:40Z")
Yes, I think that it may be time to replace. I base this statement on the following: # [http://tinyurl.com/c82d97](http://tinyurl.com/c82d97) [http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241958](http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241958) [http://www.fireblades.org/forums/riding-gear-luggage/65266-helmet-shelf-life.html](http://www.fireblades.org/forums/riding-gear-luggage/65266-helmet-shelf-life.html) ---
**Author:** ![El\_Pistolero](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/el_pistolero/32/7571_2.png) [@El\_Pistolero](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/El_Pistolero)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 12:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/4 "2009-04-24T12:42:29Z")
Most will say to replace every 5 years or so, but it kinda depends on how it’s used. If it’s worn regularly for 4 or 5 years, then yeah, replace it. Sunlight, small impacts, sweat and compression can wear down and degrade the shell and the foam padding on the inside, and make it less safe. However, if the helmet has been sitting in your closet in the box for 5 years, none of that is really a factor, and it _should_ be fine. ---
**Author:** ![fairgentleman\_Z](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fairgentleman_z/32/7263_2.png) [@fairgentleman\_Z](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fairgentleman_Z)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/5 "2009-04-24T17:12:01Z")
The oldest helmet you can use according to SCCA solo rules is 14 years (current year (2005) and two previous years (2000 and 1995)). Per club racing rules is 9 years. There may be an overlap year so 15 and 10 respectively. > [@Daddie"](#): > > What I do know about helmets : > > If you drop them from 6’ or above once, the protecting foam will most likely shatter and your helmet won’t protect your head nearly as well, or at all. Could you please provide a link to that information. If an unweighted helmet can’t survive a drop I sure as hell wouldn’t trust my life to it @ 100 mph. > [@Snell Foundation Helmet FAQs](#): > > **I dropped my helmet! Do I have to go buy a new one?** > > Generally the answer is probably not. Helmets are one use items, but are quite durable otherwise, at least the ones we certify. Frequent dropping or spiking a helmet on the ground, or other hard surfaces may eventually degrade the helmet’s performance. Similarly if the helmet falls to the ground at highway speeds unoccupied the owner must be aware that some degradation may have occurred. In general the real damage comes when the helmet contacts an object with a head inside. The Foundation recommends that if you are participating in an activity that requires that you wear a helmet, that you avoid hitting stuff with your head. It can be difficult to readily determine if a helmet has been damaged, and the protective capabilities compromised without a thorough inspection by a trained professional. Some manufacturers may provide this service or direct you to these others that can perform these inspections. The Foundation recommends that if you suspect your helmet may be compromised, then replace it. If the helmet has been involved in an impact while in use, replace it. [http://www.smf.org/](http://www.smf.org/) > If you drop a helmet from a few feet, say the seat of a motorcycle, is it okay? > > Basically, yes. It takes a lot to damage a helmet. If the helmet fell onto a hard surface and your head was in it, you should replace it. [http://www.timberwoof.com/motorcycle/faq/SnellLabsTour.html](http://www.timberwoof.com/motorcycle/faq/SnellLabsTour.html) ---
**Author:** ![Karter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@Karter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Karter)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/6 "2009-04-24T17:23:29Z")
snell will recertify a helmet, say you have a snell 95 helmet, well send them your helmet they Xray it ect, check the spfi numbers ect and give it a newer certification. you could probably get a snell 95 recertified to m2005 if it wasnt cracked. However the SA2005 has padding wrapped in nomex on the inside, making your head less likely to melt during fire. (the old helmet liners can and will catch fire) ---
**Author:** ![Jack](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jack/32/7613_2.png) [@Jack](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jack)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/7 "2009-04-24T17:46:06Z")
SNELL helmets also have an expiration or born on date… which would determine whether or not they are “legal”. DOT != SNELL ---
**Author:** ![fairgentleman\_Z](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fairgentleman_z/32/7263_2.png) [@fairgentleman\_Z](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fairgentleman_Z)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/8 "2009-04-24T19:24:24Z")
> [@Just Karter](#): > > snell will recertify a helmet, say you have a snell 95 helmet, well send them your helmet they Xray it ect, check the spfi numbers ect and give it a newer certification. you could probably get a snell 95 recertified to m2005 if it wasnt cracked. Um, yeah, since the standard changes for each helmet year you just have to send them 5 sets of helmets for M @ $940, or 6 sets for SA @ $1,140 for destructive testing to meet the current year standard. Then, I guess for $0.60 they could send you a sticker. ---
**Author:** ![eMKay](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/emkay/32/7428_2.png) [@eMKay](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/eMKay)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 8:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/9 "2009-04-24T20:01:08Z")
Well, I can tell you from personal experience they will not survive being run over by a Mazda Protege5. My head was not in the helmet at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 8:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/10 "2009-04-24T20:18:29Z")
> **[helmet\_CSI.pdf](https://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/helmet_CSI.pdf)** > > 372.14 KB meh, not much info there… is this for a car or bike? what kind of helmet do you have? ---
**Author:** ![Daddie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/daddie/32/7621_2.png) [@Daddie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Daddie)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 6:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/11 "2009-04-28T06:28:42Z")
Pyrotech helmet I bought off a group buy… ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 7:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/12 "2009-04-28T07:00:23Z")
If it’s just been sitting on the shelf it’s probably fine. The problem with dropping them is that the shell can flex to allow the foam to crush but then not show signs of damage on the shell. So once you drop it you don’t know if you’re getting full protection or not. If you’re going to be riding like an ass on a crotch rocket, I’d be absolutely sure. If you’re going to use it in a lower risk scenario like a track day, then I’d just use it. Did you know that if you so much as drop a dielectric hard hat you’re supposed to replace it? :cjerk: ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2009, 7:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/helmet-questions/66695/13 "2009-04-28T07:50:09Z")
^thats why i asked what kinda helmet and what for…