head and neck restraint required

[Matt Rowe]

Originally posted by benspeed@Dec 21 2005, 03:54 PM
I know everybody has heard it before but a Hans costs the same as a set of tires and I bet you can sell your Hans for more than half the cost of purchase.

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I don't know about anyone else but I wouldn't buy a used helmet or a used set of belts. Any H&N device falls into the same category where visually you can't tell if it hasn't been overstressed at some point in it's life. So I don't think resale is a particularly good argument, especially when there are plenty of other good reasons to have one.

[mlytle]

Originally posted by Matt Rowe@Dec 21 2005, 11:20 PM
I don't know about anyone else but I wouldn't buy a used helmet or a used set of belts. Any H&N device falls into the same category where visually you can't tell if it hasn't been overstressed at some point in it's life. So I don't think resale is a particularly good argument, especially when there are plenty of other good reasons to have one.

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for $15 you can have a hans recertified by the company. that makes a used one a little more palatable.

[Greg Amy]

Whenever someone starts lecturing me about my use/non-use of safety equipment for racing/motorcycling/whatever, my immediate and terminal reaction is "If you really cared about me and my health, you wouldn't be lecturing me about the equipment I choose to use/not use, you'd be trying to convince me not to do that dangerous activity in the first place." Therefore I am convinced you really aren't that concerned that I have only one life, what you're really concerned about is "cover your ass" or trying to justify your own particular purchase and use of that equipment.

What you choose to use is your own personal choice - as it is mine.

There's been more than one time I've been lectured to use my seat belt, even though I already do; to use a helmet while motorcycling, even though I already do; to use an enclosed helmet instead of an open-face one while racing, even though I already do; to use a H&NR while racing, even though I already do. And each time I hear this lecture from the do-gooders - and trust me, the lecturing never ends - those who are convinced that they know what's better for me than I do, my reaction has always been...well, unpleasant. News flash: I am an adult, not a child; I understand and accept the ramifications and consequences of my actions. You are free to make your opinion known, but note that I'm not asking to take away your choices, I encourage you to do the same for me. - GA

[Matt Rowe]

Originally posted by mlytle@Dec 21 2005, 06:36 PM
for $15 you can have a hans recertified by the company. that makes a used one a little more palatable.

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Well, that's the first time I've seen that. Hmm, I learn something new everyday. I am curious what their recertification involves? Ultrasonic or xray inspection? Composite inspection is still as much black art as science.

[mlytle]

Originally posted by Matt Rowe@Dec 22 2005, 02:05 AM
Well, that's the first time I've seen that. Hmm, I learn something new everyday. I am curious what their recertification involves? Ultrasonic or xray inspection? Composite inspection is still as much black art as science.

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topic came up on the bmw cr forum soon after the new rule came out. the big issue was that only very recently did hans devices start shipping with sfi stickers. what were all the early adopters of hans devices supposed to do? they had the exact same hans, but no sfi sticker on it. solution, send it back for inspection and (re)certification. no idea what the process is.

[dj10]

Originally posted by mlytle@Dec 21 2005, 10:27 PM
topic came up on the bmw cr forum soon after the new rule came out. the big issue was that only very recently did hans devices start shipping with sfi stickers. what were all the early adopters of hans devices supposed to do? they had the exact same hans, but no sfi sticker on it. solution, send it back for inspection and (re)certification. no idea what the process is.

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Marshall, not only that but, what is the life expectency of the hans before you replace them. If you have to replace helmets every 5 years seems to me you need to replace the hans also since they are made of the same materials?

[JamesB]

Originally posted by dj10@Dec 22 2005, 12:10 PM
Marshall, not only that but, what is the life expectency of the hans before you replace them. If you have to replace helmets every 5 years seems to me you need to replace the hans also since they are made of the same materials?

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Mainly the reason for replacing the helmet is that your sweat and wearing it compresses the impact absobtion matieral over time making it less effective (even SNELL published that.) The Shell itself does weather over time too, but its mostly the overall construction of the helmet that most are worried about.

For the hans I dont know, if you ask me I would likely just replace the straps every time I replaced a helmet. Its a small bit to pay just like for belts that ensures it will work when you need it.

But thats my view on any of the H&N out there so you need to plan to service it to ensure its working properly.

[leggwork]

I believe that the recommendation is to replace the Hans tethers every 3 years.

One thing that makes me wonder about mandating hans or other SFI 38.1 device is that you generally have to install posts into your helmet. Surely this voids the helmet warranty and likely the snell certification. On the FIA site, there is a "Technical List 29" that shows which helmets are approved for use with a hans. It is interesting that groups can mandate the hans but it is ok to have a non-compliant helmet.
bruce

Originally posted by JamesB@Dec 22 2005, 04:21 PM
Mainly the reason for replacing the helmet is that your sweat and wearing it compresses the impact absobtion matieral over time making it less effective (even SNELL published that.) The Shell itself does weather over time too, but its mostly the overall construction of the helmet that most are worried about.

For the hans I dont know, if you ask me I would likely just replace the straps every time I replaced a helmet. Its a small bit to pay just like for belts that ensures it will work when you need it.

But thats my view on any of the H&N out there so you need to plan to service it to ensure its working properly.

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