Helmet or no helmet and why?

"In 66 cases where the cause of death is known, 32% were due to trauma. The other 68% died of asphyxiation due to burial."

Avalanche Accidents in Canada, Volume 4, 1984-1996, Page 28 "Terrain and Cause of Death"

Not all trauma was to the head (or limited to the head), and a helmet would not saved lives in all of these cases. I suspect that it would save some of them. Let's say that a helmet could have prevented 1/3 of the trauma deaths. That's 10% of all fatalities.

Notwithstanding that avoiding getting caught in an avalance is the best thing to do, is a 10% reduction in your chances of dying in an avalance worthwhile?

I'd modify Travertine's math a bit; solely based on the fact that while undoubtedly not all trauma was to the head, I'd imagine the vast majority of fatal trauma was to the head or neck. Anyway, each to their own. However, I ride fast, and I don't want a hard impact to my head.

I went with 1/3 to be conservative. If the percent is higher, it is a stronger case for a helmet. But it might not be much higher than that due to two factors:

1) Massive whole body train wreck trauma in the case if big avalances or problem terrain - nothing is going to help
2) Yes, the cause of death was trauma, but absent the trauma the person would have died of asphyxiation anyway in some cases.

If it was not clear, I am definitely for a helmet. But food for thought as mentioned above, a climbing helmet might be better for BC skiing because it is definitely lighter.

I could see maybe wearing one in ice conditions, but I usually don't ride that stuff any longer. I have never worn one and don't have any plans to wear one in the future.

A death in a ski area is VERY rare and would take a freak accident. Death in the back country is usually suffocation or exposure (can't even recall one head injury death in the back country?). I think my odds are pretty good.

More:

"Conclusion.—Although asphyxiation was the cause of death in most avalanche victims, evidence of [Closed Head Injury] CHI was present in 61% of the cases studied. While avalanche-associated CHI may not be sufficient to cause death in many cases, a depressed level of consciousness might render a victim incapable of self-rescue and predispose to asphyxia. Helmet use may help prevent avalanche-associated CHI and thus be a useful safety adjunct."

www.wemjournal.org/wmsonline/?request=ge...2&issue=04&page=0244

I would like to see all young kids in helmets. At least up to the teen years. Possibly make it mandatory.

For me personally, I don't wear one. I started skiing when I was 17 and I am now 50. Have never wore a helmet. I probably should have when I was younger. But, back then no one wore them , except ski racers.

I have toned down my skiing alot. Not wearing a helmet makes me double think where and when I ski. I like to look at the conditions closely. I feel like if I wore a helmet, it could give me more confidence than I probably should have.

I do have a helmet used for climbing (Petzl) that I have used when skiing off The Castle, Pinnacle Peak and any other rocky peaks.

That is just because of potential rock fall while climbing. Not really for ski protection.

I think if people want to wear helmets, that's great. Just don't step on the gas harder because you think you are more protected.

There was a German gal downhiller who crashed hard into a metal pipe. She was wearing a helmet. It looked liked she may have had massive head injuries from watching it on tv, but was later found that she died from a broken neck and severed upper spine.

Helmets are a good thing, but not a save all, cure all solution to a dangerous sport.