The new-concept full-face-type helmet with removable cheek pads.
BACKGROUND
The American College of Surgeons proposed a method of removing helmets. But the problem with full-face-type helmets is that their shape makes them difficult to remove.


METHODS
A dummy doll was fixed to a smooth bed surface in the supine position, and a full-face-type helmet with a hook attached to the vertex was placed on the doll's head. A spring balance was attached to the hook, traction was applied to the helmet through the spring balance, and the maximum tension needed to completely remove the helmet was measured.


RESULTS
A tension of 13.2 +/- 1.8 kg was found. But when cheek pads were removed, the tension required to remove the helmet was 1.7 +/- 0.2 kg.


CONCLUSIONS
We devised a full-face-type helmet that uses removable cheek pads so that helmet removal can be performed safely by removing only the cheek pads in the event of an accident.
Nemoto
M
M
Department of Traumatology and Critical Care Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. mabu@mvg.biglobe.ne.jp
Shida
M
M
Ichimura
A
A
Nakajima
I
I
Inokuchi
S
S
Sawada
Y
Y
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008348:Manikins; D009068:Movement; D011859:Radiography; D014143:Traction; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control