Full face helmet / airbag question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: virginia beach va
Full face helmet / airbag question
I was going to buy a full face SA2000 helmet until I saw this:
"SCCA AIRBAG ADVISORY
November 16, 2004 - Notification from SCCA National Staff
It has been brought to the attention of SCCA Technical Services that the use of full-face or closed face helmets while driving vehicles with active airbag restraint systems may result in injuries in the event of a crash that deploys the airbag. Because of the location of the steering wheel relative to the driver's position, the airbag axis is on a level with the driver's chin. In a crash with airbag deployment, contact with the chin area of a full-face helmet can be so powerful "that fractures to the jaw cannot be ruled out". (Hubert Gramling, FIA Institute, FT3/AF, 18.5 1999)
Therefore it is highly recommended that full-face helmets not be used in vehicles with functioning airbag systems. Potentially more restrictive language is currently being considered for 2005."
I've never heard of this, do you guys have any input/advice? I'm looking for a helmet for drag/autoX and motorcycle.
"SCCA AIRBAG ADVISORY
November 16, 2004 - Notification from SCCA National Staff
It has been brought to the attention of SCCA Technical Services that the use of full-face or closed face helmets while driving vehicles with active airbag restraint systems may result in injuries in the event of a crash that deploys the airbag. Because of the location of the steering wheel relative to the driver's position, the airbag axis is on a level with the driver's chin. In a crash with airbag deployment, contact with the chin area of a full-face helmet can be so powerful "that fractures to the jaw cannot be ruled out". (Hubert Gramling, FIA Institute, FT3/AF, 18.5 1999)
Therefore it is highly recommended that full-face helmets not be used in vehicles with functioning airbag systems. Potentially more restrictive language is currently being considered for 2005."
I've never heard of this, do you guys have any input/advice? I'm looking for a helmet for drag/autoX and motorcycle.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: SE Idaho
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by NoelsTorchredZ
If your racing pull the fuse, deactivate the air bag. 
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From: Norfolk VA
there was a long discussion about this over in the AutoX/RR section when that first came out, sorry don't have a link, but you should be able to find it with a search. Also check sccaforums.com
that warning was the result of a study possibly putting airbags in F1 cars. The result of the study was that it would do more harm than good.
If you've got a cage (not roll bar), race seat, harness, full face helmet, and a HANS, you're about as safe as you can be and the airbag is just in the way and potentially dangerous.
The question really comes in for those of us that only use some of the equipment. Depending on a million factors in the accident, it could help or hurt, so pick your poison.
As I recall, the main danger to your jaw was if you have the steering wheel angled up so the bag could hit the bottom of your helmet and push it up. If you've got the wheel pointed at your chest, you should be okay.
Also remember that a full face helmet will protect you face from all of the debris that can fly around.
that warning was the result of a study possibly putting airbags in F1 cars. The result of the study was that it would do more harm than good.
If you've got a cage (not roll bar), race seat, harness, full face helmet, and a HANS, you're about as safe as you can be and the airbag is just in the way and potentially dangerous.
The question really comes in for those of us that only use some of the equipment. Depending on a million factors in the accident, it could help or hurt, so pick your poison.
As I recall, the main danger to your jaw was if you have the steering wheel angled up so the bag could hit the bottom of your helmet and push it up. If you've got the wheel pointed at your chest, you should be okay.
Also remember that a full face helmet will protect you face from all of the debris that can fly around.
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Interesting story. Last year I was going to purchase a helmet because I considered doing some 1/4 mile racing with mine, but never got around to buying the helmet or taking the car to the track. Looks like I need to investigate this a little more before I make a purchase. Thanks for the info.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 105
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From: virginia beach va
Originally Posted by Knowme
Try posting this in Autocrossing & Roadracing I am sure you will get a lot better responses about this over there 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: virginia beach va
Originally Posted by WhiteC5Vette
Warning makes sense. Pull the fuse or get a new helmet. (Pulling the fuse will also deactivate the infamous "black box.")
