Hockey Helmet Safety Tips

The helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment in the game of hockey. The majority of hockey manufacturers produce a line of helmets. All of these helmets are certified by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC). This certification means this equipment provides an adequate level of safety. Despite this, there are still some helmets that provide greater protection than others. Beyond the helmet padding, there are other different accessories that work with the helmet to enhance the level of protection.

  1. New Helmets

    • Most companies recommend that their helmets be replaced annually. This is because the foam inside the helmets compresses naturally from use. When this happens, the foam cannot spread the impact from collisions adequately, and the chance of concussion increases. The plastic shell of a helmet also can crack. When this happens, it is very important to replace the helmet. Finally, some helmets have high impact Styrofoam lining the plastic shell. When the Styrofoam cracks, its performance will be compromised and it is time to replace the helmet. The last common cause of needing a new helmet is the padding separating from the plastic shell. Sometimes it can be glued back in place, but when it consistently slides out of position the user is endangered.

    Earpieces

    • Hockey helmets come with earpieces. These are resilient plastic inserts that cover the ear and keep pucks from damaging them. Removing a few screws allows players to remove the earpieces. The benefit of this is increased comfort. The downfall is a sacrifice in the protective capabilities of the helmet. Earpieces are required in nearly all youth leagues, and should be considered an integral part of the helmet.

    Cages and Visors

    • At the most competitive levels of hockey, the only forms of face protection worn are visors or nothing at all. Those that go without visors cite the better peripheral vision as the driving factor behind their decision. Despite the benefit of going without, many professionals will wear a visor that covers half of their face. This visor still allows vision of the puck on their stick, yet it also protects their eyes. Errant high sticks and deflected pucks are the main causes of facial injuries. Many serious injuries can be avoided through the use of a visor. At lower levels of play, cages are required on helmets. Cages are made of metal and cover the entire face. This greater level of protection is necessary because, at lower levels, the players are in less control of their sticks and themselves. Cages should always be worn with the straps tightened so the chin-cup brushes the chin.

    Chinstraps

    • The chinstrap attaches to a loop on either side of the helmet that hangs beneath the earpieces. There is one primary purpose of a chinstrap–to keep the helmet on the player. When heavy impact occurs, the head can jerk violently enough to knock the helmet loose from the head. This leaves the head more susceptible to injury in a subsequent impact, such as when the player who has been hit lands on the ice. It is important that the chinstrap be buttoned and tightened down across the chin. Many leagues require that the chinstrap be buttoned, and a minor penalty can be assessed if a player fails to comply.