Helmet necessary??

[ramrod]

I'm just starting out with my first standup jetski. Really my first watercraft ever. I was wondering if it was necessary to get a helmet right now? I've read a few threads where someone faceplants, or where there is a possibilty of eardrums popping. I eventually want to get into to freestyle. Would it be best to wait till I get up to the more expierenced type of tricks before purchasing one? Or would it be better to be safe than sorry? Is it personal preference? Just asking a late night, bored at work question that makes a newbie go....hmmmmmm. Thanks.

-Randy

 

[Superjet3]

Randy,
It is really personal prefrence. I wear a helmet because I have blown out both my eardrums @ 3 times each. This is from landing upside dowm or sideways. If you are just learning to ride I wouldent worry about it that much. You should be fine. Once you start trying and areal manovers then I would look into purchasing one.

 

[ramrod]

Thanks Paul
-Randy

 

[Speedfreak]

I would say that you don't need one because I don't wear one... but that is because I don't like them.... havn't wore one long enough to get used to it.

If you start out with one then it is part of your riding gear and you would feel comfortable with it on so there is no getting used to it later. If I was just starting out I would get one and get used to wearing it so that when you wanted to start doing giant throws you won't be uncomfortable trying them because of the "new" helmet you are wearing.... I have wore gloves since day one and now can't ride a ski without them I feel like I am naked...

 

[gj_fx1]

I'd say no helmet while learning just because they somewhat reduce hearing and peripheral vision. You don't want to be handicapped in those areas at the same time as you are getting your balance.

 

[Mike W]

Ive been riding a few years but this is my first year on a standup and i just started wearing a full face helmet. good thing i did b/c this saturday i did my first face plant on the handlebars and the helmet saved me from getting a few teeth knocked out.

 

[LBE]

Speedfreak makes a good point about making a helmet a habbit, thats a really smart idea. It depends what your doing though. I rode skis on the river for a long time, no real freestyle stuff, jumps, subs, nose stabs.. nothing big. But when I made the choice to start pushing myself, I also realized the chance of injury was going to increse and made the helmet part of my gear bag.
Bottom line: You don't need a helmet. But if you are going to do more than recreational ridding it's not a bad idea.
My $.02

 

[Boris]

I think it's up to you.

I was just farting around one day(second weekend on a standup) jumping the odd wake here and there.
Long story short, I split my chin open on the pole.
Nothing major but could have been much worse.

I do own a helmet now however I haven't worn it as yet.
Don't want the other kids in the playground to laugh at me.

 

[Waste Land]

It's not needed...but its advised.

If your riding on flat water and no going upside down.....No, you wont need one

I wear mine on barrell roll practice and surf riding. Thats about it

 

[Moondance]

I think it's up to you.

I was just farting around one day(second weekend on a standup) jumping the odd wake here and there.
Long story short, I split my chin open on the pole.
Nothing major but could have been much worse.

I do own a helmet now however I haven't worn it as yet.
Don't want the other kids in the playground to laugh at me.

With that being said...you also don't want one of the other "kids in the playground" accidentally bumping into your noggin' either. It's providing more safety other than just for freestyling/freeriding.

But it still comes down to personal choice.

 

[ski4]

i wear one when and if i plan on getting upside down. i don;t wear one if i just plan on cruising

 

[oxnard111]

I know you guys are talking about flat water, but in the surf I always wear one, it has saved my face so many times.

 

[WaveDemon]

in the surf I'll always wear one, even if it's small I"m trying to do something stupid. Since I don't have my SJ yet I never wear one on flat unless there are wakes involved.

 

[SuperJETT]

I wear one at all times, popped an eardrum 2 years ago and don't want to again. Start out with one and it'll be second nature.

 

[oxnard111]

I almost feel naked when I don't have one on. Kinda helps to keep some splash/spray form getting your face also, but only a little bit

 

[Frosty]

I wear one at all times, popped an eardrum 2 years ago and don't want to again. Start out with one and it'll be second nature.

I think that is the key... I have a hard time being comfortable wearing mine... a few weeks back, helmet's sitting on the beach, I'm practicing flat water BR's... riding my buddy's ski... yada yada yada... I drill my forehead right into the handle bar mounting bracket... he has no cross bar pad... :1244:

I need to get used to wearing it.

 

[skinnyman]

I rode for a lot years not wearing a lid exept for races and riding bouys when other peps were there.Then a good friend ask me a simple?
Would you ride mx without one ?Coming off a ski at 50 a lot can happen quick.

 

[Flash-FX]

Just get one. Go to your local bike shop, or order one online. I ALWAYS wear a full face BMX type. It's really light weight,cuts down on noise and most of all protects your brain.... I had to wear one for racing "back in the day" but now it just makes sense. I've seen/heard more people blowing out eardrums and stuff. Cheaper than a visit to the emergency room. Plus it helps your HEAD float......

 

[sclevela]

just out of curiousity......... alot of u guys where the bmx helmets. anyone ever wreck at a high speed with one on...... or come down wrong from a high surf lauch and have the water catch it? i would imagine it would try to rip yer head off or at minimum wrech the crap out of your neck?

 

[hangtime]

Ummm ,of course you should wear one .Common sense tells you to wear one during all extreme sports activities .