Helmet Standard

It is our considered opinion that to provide the best possible protection a Safety Helmet should be replaced after approximately 5-8 years, as the materials used in their construction do degrade with time regardless of the actual amount of use. Exposure to sunlight or extensive use may accelerate the process. If a helmet is subjected to even moderate impacts (eg. Dropping on the ground) then their protective capability may be compromised. “M” rated helmets in particular need only be designed for a single impact and their use thereafter is not recommended or advisable. That is why we do encourage the use of SA rated Helmets or their equivalent BSI and SFI counterparts.

It is acknowledged however that SA Helmets are not as easily available as M Helmets, especially in terms of vendors carrying sufficient stock to allow trial fitting of different sizes. Since the fit of the Helmet is of far greater importance than the difference between an SA or M rating, we will allow either SNELL “SA” or “M” rated Helmets for our Driver Education Program.

For the 2023 Driving Season, each driver participating in our Drivers-Ed program, must wear a properly fitted Safety Helmet that conforms to one or more of the following Safety Helmet Standards:

SNELL Foundation Helmets rated:SA2015 or SA2020 (recommended)
M2015 or M2020
British Standards Institute (BSI):BS6658-85 type A/FR
SFI Foundation Inc. Helmets rated:SFI 31.1A
SFI 31.2A
Note: The acceptance of Helmet Standards other than SNELL Foundation or SNELL “M” rated Helmets is a UCR decision. Other regions within PCA may not accept anything other than a SNELL SA rated safety helmet for their Drivers-Ed events. Please bear this in mind when purchasing a helmet. Also be aware that the SNELL 2020 Helmet Standards are now available. Now that the SNELL 2020 products are released, the SA2010 & M2010 Helmets will no longer be accepted at UCR Driver Ed events.

At the first event attended in the 2023 season, Helmets will be inspected in the Tech Line and a Sticker will be affixed to indicate the Helmet meets requirements for 2023 DE events.

Helmet Fitment Guidelines

Measurement

Measuring the head is a starting point for the entire sizing procedure. Due to varying shapes, heads that are apparently the same size when measured by a tape may not necessarily fit the same size helmet. The circumference of the head should be measured at a point approximately one inch above the eyebrows in front and at a point in the back of the head that results in the largest possible measurement. Take several measurements to make sure you have the largest one.

Size Conversion Chart
InchesSizeMetricEquals
21-1/46-3/454XX-Small
21-5/86-7/855XX-Small
22756X-Small
22-3/87-1/857Small
22-3/47-1/458Medium
23-1/87-3/859Medium
23-1/27-1/260Large
23-7/87-5/861Large
24-1/47-3/462X-Large

Try it On

  • Grasp the helmet by the chin straps, with the front of the helmet facing you and the top of the helmet facing down.
  • Place the thumbs on the inside surface of the straps and balance the helmet with the index fingers.
  • Spread the helmet apart with the hands, and slip down over the head.

If the helmet slides down on the head with no resistance, you have your first indication that it may be too large. Obviously, if it will not slide down over the head at all it is too small. Many people unfamiliar with helmets are reluctant to pull down if they meet resistance as the helmet goes on. Only if the helmet is impossible to put on should you move up to the next size, as helmets that go on snug generally fit very well once all the way on. Remember, most people will select a helmet that is too large for them. The eyes should be approximately in the center of the eye port with the top edge of the liner padding just above the eyebrows.

Checking Horizontal and Vertical Movement

Now that you are wearing the helmet, look carefully at the way it fits. Check to see if the cheek pads are in contact with the cheeks. Is there excess pressure on the cheeks? Look for gaps between the temples and the brow pad. Check the back of the helmet where the neckroll (if the helmet has one) makes contact with the neck. Does it touch at all? Or is it pushing the helmet away at the rear causing it to roll down over the eyes in front? After you have made your visual check, grab the helmet in your hands, one on either side, and try to rotate the helmet from side to side. Note any movement of the skin while doing this, as well as the amount of resistance to movement remembering to hold your head steady.

Next, check movement up and down, again noting skin movement and resistance. If in either test there was little or no skin movement, and/or the helmet moved very easily, the helmet is too large. A properly fitted helmet will cause the skin to move as the helmet moves. And, it will feel to the wearer as if evenly distributed pressure is being continuously exerted around the head.

Note: Helmets are a little like shoes, in that they do break-in a little. For this reason the best attitude to have when fitting is that the helmet should be as tight as you can stand to wear it.

Retention Check

Warning: This test may be a little uncomfortable, but it is very important!

Now, fasten the chin strap, so you can check it. After the strap has been tightly fastened, while holding your head steady, reach over the top of the helmet grabbing the bottom edge with your fingers. Then, try to roll the helmet off your head. If it comes off, it is undoubtedly too large.

Note: Never buy a helmet that can be rolled off the head with the strap fastened.

Pressure Point Check

Finally, unfasten the chin strap and remove the helmet. Immediately after the helmet has been removed, observe coloration of the skin of the forehead and cheeks. A reddening of the skin in a small area may indicate a pressure point. Pressure points sometimes are not noticed by the wearer for several minutes, or even hours later. They sometimes cause headaches, and are at the least, uncomfortable. If you notice a pressure point, or experienced discomfort there while wearing the helmet, it’s too small. If you cannot remember, put the helmet back on for a few minutes, paying particular attention to the anticipated pressure point. If the pressure point causes discomfort either time, go to the next larger size, repeating steps four and five.