Airbags and full face helmets. Should they be used together?

[Chris B.]

Recently New Jersey rules for tracks were updated to require full face helmets for all HPDE/Racers/High Performance driving schools/Drifters/etc... on tracks in New Jersey.

I avoided getting a full face helmet and have been using an open face helmet because the only research I could find on the topic said that you are more likely to get a broken jaw and neck/spine injuries if you are wearing a full face helmet when an airbag deploys in a street car with airbags. The SCCA went so far as to highly recommend not using full face helmets in cars with airbags back in 2004.

When researching the topic again recently, after hearing about the updated requirements in new Jersey, I couldn't find any recent research on it. Does anyone have any newer research on the topic or has anyone here tasted an airbag with a full face helmet on?

[AJ Hartman]

I just did an auto-x with the sj-scca and they touched on the topic while talking about a PDX event they were going to do at NJMP. They said pretty much what your research said about you are more prone to neck injuries with a full face if an air bag were to deploy. So they said DE1 and DE2 level drivers can use an open face if their vehicle has airbags. Don't know if that helps much.

[evomike]

I don't think I'd track a car with airbags at all anyway.

[sil80wis]

can you guys post up the research you have found on the topic (where they say that it causes neck injuries)

*only if you guys still have easy access to the articles, as ill be looking it up myself anyway (im more interested in the medical aspect of it)

[oneday]

Recently New Jersey rules for tracks were updated to require full face helmets for all HPDE/Racers/High Performance driving schools/Drifters/etc... on tracks in New Jersey.

I avoided getting a full face helmet and have been using an open face helmet because the only research I could find on the topic said that you are more likely to get a broken jaw and neck/spine injuries if you are wearing a full face helmet when an airbag deploys in a street car with airbags. The SCCA went so far as to highly recommend not using full face helmets in cars with airbags back in 2004.

When researching the topic again recently, after hearing about the updated requirements in new Jersey, I couldn't find any recent research on it. Does anyone have any newer research on the topic or has anyone here tasted an airbag with a full face helmet on?


From what I remember (from several years ago when I researched the subject) the number of recorded incidents with full face helmet/airbag related injuries was greatly exaggerated. I think it was forum-induced hysteria mostly ... one person happened to get injured and posted it and everyone got scared and jumped to conclusions.

If there are statistics and cited sources showing otherwise, I'll believe it, otherwise I'm thinking I might have to email Myth Busters to do a study.

I just did an auto-x with the sj-scca and they touched on the topic while talking about a PDX event they were going to do at NJMP. They said pretty much what your research said about you are more prone to neck injuries with a full face if an air bag were to deploy. So they said DE1 and DE2 level drivers can use an open face if their vehicle has airbags. Don't know if that helps much.

Knowing the way NJ enforces rules at motorsports events and the amount of pressure NJMP is under to follow all government mandates (and come out profitable after this Ch.11 filing) I seriously doubt the SJR-SCCA has the clout to use internet/forum banter as just cause to skirt the newly released full faced helmet requirements.

I realize this article is mainly discussing the various HNR systems available, but makes a point about helmets and airbags that is valid regardless of HNR/harness useage: (http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Head_and_Neck_Restraints)

The FIA showed some work that they had done on airbags at the SCCA safety seminar in February 2006. They seemed to say keep the airbag energized but do not wear a helmet with anything that could catch on the airbag as it inflates which could cause the helmet to be tipped upward at the front - i.e. no firmly attached peaks like you see in some rally helmets and keep the visor closed. Another possibility is that your raised visor can puncture the airbag and then it would deflate in to your view port, not good. So, put the visor down or remove it.

All that said, I can not find a single reference from SFI or FIA that makes a claim one way or the other.

[HILLHO]

Here's a video in "slow-motion" of my airbag deploying in my MR2 at 100+MPH while racing in the 2002 Duryea Hillclimb with a full-face Bell helmut. I was also wearing a 5 point harness, and equipped with an Auto-power rollbar.
An airbag will actually cause "brush burns" on your face/arms if you don't have protection. It's certainly not a "pillow". Fortunately, I walked away; lesson learned.
SLOWER is SAFER & FASTER because SMOOTHER.
http://thumb11.webshots.net/t/24/24/5/69/30/311456930bnmvIO_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/album/311454193wFvFrD)
http://www.myspace.com/hillho/videos/video/21096853
Here's a vid of the after accident walk around:
http://www.myspace.com/hillho/videos/video/19989495

[oneday]

Holy impact Fabio. That wreck is why hill climb safety gear requirements are so strict and why I don't participate in hill climbs.

I was just going to bump this up today anyway with updated info about an incident that took place this past weekend:
At the Schattenbaum PCA event this past weekend a Boxter nosed into the wall coming out of Thunderbolt T2 (he hit the infield armco)... it was a pretty hard hit (I could hear the skid then impact from the far side of the garages). Both airbags deployed. Driver was wearing only a 3-point shoulder belt along with is (NJ mandated) full face helmet. He is fine, no extra injuries to his person. YMMV.

[Chris B.]

I was just going to bump this up today anyway with updated info about an incident that took place this past weekend:
At the Schattenbaum PCA event this past weekend a Boxter nosed into the wall coming out of Thunderbolt T2 (he hit the infield armco)... it was a pretty hard hit (I could hear the skid then impact from the far side of the garages). Both airbags deployed. Driver was wearing only a 3-point shoulder belt along with is (NJ mandated) full face helmet. He is fine, no extra injuries to his person. YMMV.

That's good to hear. Well, not good to hear he crashed, but good to hear he wasn't severely injured.

[Snakebite]

How about just disabling airbag?

[Chris B.]

How about just disabling airbag?

Its a bad idea with stock 3 point seatbelts. If you hit anyting with any sort of speed with a disabled airbag, you get some pretty nasty heart/lung injuries.

I can't put a cage or legal roll bar in my car wihtout cutting up the interior or gutting the interior. Its not something I want to do with a daily driver.

[marshallpre1]

Good to know guys. I have a full face helmet and want to start HPDE this summer!

[neongolf]

I don't get why the combo would hurt you. Also for those who wear the full face gear, do you also wear the neck brace/ring?? wouldn't that negate the injury risk??

[oneday]

I don't get why the combo would hurt you. Also for those who wear the full face gear, do you also wear the neck brace/ring?? wouldn't that negate the injury risk??


A horse collar type of neck brace really only helps support the weight of a helmet, it offers basically no protection from whiplash or BSF...and definitely wouldn't stop the type of injury people claimed were caused by an airbag deployment.

I wear a HANS device, but that's only in cars with a 5/6-point belt system. In cars with an OEM 3-point I do not wear a brace.

[RedBowTies88]

will these new rules apply to drag strips as well?

[Chris B.]

will these new rules apply to drag strips as well?

The drag racing rules are different. These are the latest I found.

§ 13:62-5.22 Helmets, head cushions, and head and neck
restraints
(a) All drivers shall wear a properly secured helmet which
meets or exceeds the Snell Memorial Foundation Testing
Standards for special application (SA) or motorcycle (M) use,
respectively, incorporated herein by reference, as may be
amended and supplemented, which has not reached the
expiration date established by the Snell Memorial Foundation
at the time of the event. The standards are available from the
Snell Memorial Foundation, 3628 Madison Avenue, Suite 11,
North Highlands, CA 95660.
(b) Where required under NHRA rules, incorporated by
reference at N.J.A.C. 13:62-5.39, all drivers shall wear a
properly secured head and neck restraint device/system or neck
collar which is commercially-produced and designed for
racing.
§ 13:62-5.23 Face shield
The driver of all vehicles not equipped with windshields shall
wear a properly secured, full face helmet with a face shield of
the type which meets or exceeds U.S.A. standard
Specifications for Head, Eye and Respiratory Protection Z2.1-
1959 testing standard.