WhiteWater Helmets
For average canoeing and kayaking on a lake, it does not make sense to wear a helmet. The worst injury that could come about is you tip over and get wet. When it comes time to hit the rapids though, it’s a whole different story. You will need to wear a helmet, and not doing so is a fatal mistake. A helmet protects you from hitting rocks, branches or whatever else is in the water when you flip upside down in your kayak. They protect your head from a flailing paddle or rocks that can knock you out.
The design on helmets is not rocket science. They have a hard outer shell, a hard foam liner that absorbs the shocks and then a medley of straps to hold your head into the shell securely but comfortably. If you are wearing a properly fitted and sized helmet it will cover not just the top of your head but also the ears, temple and back of the head area. It is easy when underwater to take a fatal blow to these areas so do not let that happen! Make sure that the helmet you get fits your head more than anything else though since a helmet that slides off your head when you need it is no good at all. A well fitted helmet will go on your head easily but not wiggle at all if you shake your head back and forth. When the straps are in use their should be little or no movement of the helmet at all, as well as the helmet not restricting your vision at all!
