How do helmets protect your skull?
Motorcycles often have more risk of danger than almost any other type of motor vehicle, which motorcyclists have a strong awareness of. Of course, you can take steps to mitigate some of the dangers you potentially face, such as wearing protective gear.
Helmets serve as the most important protective gear you could own, as well as one of the tools that can spare your life in the event of a crash. But how exactly do they work?
The purpose of the interior and exterior
The National Library of Medicine discusses ways that helmets protect your skull from potential injury. Helmets sit on and around the skull in a way that they essentially act as a secondary skull, which the force of a crash must break before reaching your actual skull.
Inside a helmet, padding provides ample cushion and protection against bouncing, keeping your head firmly in place even after taking a hit. The outer, hard layer acts in the same way the skull does, providing an encasing to protect the more vulnerable contents within.
The importance of fit
Of course, this means the fit is of crucial importance when it comes to helmet safety. If your helmet is too loose, it will not sit on your head properly in the event of a crash, which can result in your actual skull taking some damage when it should not have.
If it is too tight, it can feel uncomfortable, which may discourage riders from wearing it. It can also create a choking sensation and can impede your flow of oxygen if it tightens or gets tangled in a crash. Thus, only a helmet of the right fit can provide maximum safety benefits.
