Performance of Children and Adult Alpine Helmets under Characteristic Falling Conditions

Helmeted and unhelmeted impacts of Hybrid III 6-year-old and 50th percentile adult head forms were conducted to assess performance of helmets at characteristic falling conditions at three impact sites. The child head form was impacted at 3.3 m/s, and the adult at 5.5 m/s. The child helmet reduced linear and rotational acceleration by 64% and 62%, compared to the adult helmet which reduced levels by 48% and 50% respectively. The child helmet performed well under lower impact velocity conditions than those tested by helmet certification standards, it is hypothesized the soft comfort foam is responsible for this performance.