Canyoneering with cheap equipment

[Vallejo]

Hi!

I've read that a lot of cheap helmets meets the main security standards and a lot of comments about that price depends on factors like weight, confort, ventilation and appearance.

If that's true, I could keep hiking with a cycling helmet meanwhile I can afford a canyoneer helmet?

PS: I know that this fact is like having an 80's civic with a couple of Ferrari stickers, but it's all that I can afford right now.

Greetings!

[mountain man]

any protection is better then no protection. Beter to go with a cycling helmet over none.

in my opinion (could be wrong) gear that meet UIAA & CE standards will offer the best protection & saftey for this sport (canyoneering/canyoning).

[Kirk]

Um... kinda NOT like a Civic with Ferrari stickers, but rather racing a Civic without seatbelts.

Other helmets, such as paddling or bike helmets are not rated for the same types of impacts as those from rock-climbing. Among other things, climbing helmets are tested for shock and energy absorption from falling objects, and give greater protection, especially around the sides and back of your head; bicycling helmets are designed for circumstances and impacts very different from those experienced by rock-climbing.

It's better than nothing, certainly. But it shouldn't be too hard to save up enough money to buy a good climbing helmet. It's definitely worth it! Get one as soon as you can!

:2thumbs:

[rcwild]

Your helmet is the second most important piece of gear ... because it protects your MOST IMPORTANT piece of gear ... YOUR HEAD.

Buy a cheap wetsuit. Buy a cheap pack. Buy a cheap pair of shoes. Buy a cheap camera. Use the money you save on this secondary gear and buy yourself a good helmet.

Yes, a bicycle helmet is better than nothing. But not much better. Bicycle helmets were designed to crush on the first impact ... when your head hits the pavement. It will crush when the first rock hits you. The second rock will kill you.

I did a canyon in New Zealand with a couple guys who were wearing cheap kayaking helmets. We were at a 20 meter jump. First guy's helmet disintegrated when he hit the water. Second guy decided to cover his with his forearms to protect it. Didn't matter. His disintegrated, too.

My Petzl Ecrin was fine. Still using it today -- 8 years later.

[Vallejo]

Thanks for the advice... I'll try to buy at least a used canyoneering helmet as soon as posible.

[Vallejo]

How about this one? Is cheap and meets the ANSI Z89.1-2003 standard... It's about 20 bucks... I think that this one is better than my current helmet so I could keep hiking meanwhile I save some cash for a better one...

http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-30759995-casco-colores-alpinismo-espeleologia-rescate-rapel-escalada-_JM

[DJ Meding]

I have an expensive kayaking helmet that covers more of my head than some of my climbing helmets. The only drawback I see to it are the ventilation holes on the top that could allow a small rock to pass through. Thoughts, or did I just answer my own question?

[Vallejo]

I have an expensive kayaking helmet that covers more of my head than some of my climbing helmets. The only drawback I see to it are the ventilation holes on the top that could allow a small rock to pass through. Thoughts, or did I just answer my own question?

Well, Rich wrote about a couple guys who were wearing cheap kayaking helmets... I think that those cheap helmets at least meets the basic standards for kayaking, so if those helmets disintegrated when they hit the water, an expensive kayaking helmet maybe isn't stronger enough as to be considered as a safe canyoneering helmet.

So, I share Rich's point about not risking your head with cheap gear, but I think that cheap canyoneering gear is better than cheap (or sometimes expensive) not canyoneering gear... Am I right? That's the reason for being so insistent about the price... :(

[Say]

Vallejo

I agree and disagree with your idea “that cheap canyoneering gear is better than cheap (or sometimes expensive) not canyoneering gear”

Some things we can do without, heck we can improvise a few things but one thing you really want to invest in is health in this case in your heads health, if it all goes wrong out there, you are likely to be able to walk away from it if you have your wits about you.

I got into canyonering recently
And all I have is a Protec Kayak helmet (lots of drainage holes) and a Petzl Vertx Best (very sturdy and fantastic for collaped building rescues) which has no ventilation holes.

The Kayak helmet can only take so much of a beating since its not designed for multiple impacts, on the other hand the Vertex has no drainage holes so if it floods with water its likely to cause problems with your neck (its like wearing a firemans helmet in the river)

For the type of canyons we have here (lots of running water) I need something that is sturdy and has good drainage. Im looking at the Ecrin rock since it does both very well.

Is it worth the price? Yes
Absolutely
We can upgrade to better gear but you only have one head
Get a good helmet man

[scubabryan]

Let me preface this by saying I wouldn't usually promote buying used gear off eBay but this summer I was in the market for some mechanical ascenders to practice around with and hit the jackpot. A SAR guy from Colorado listed a pair of used Petzl Ascension ascenders, a helmet and a rescue 8 which I surprisingly won for $106 shipped. The ascenders were in excellent, lightly used condition and 100% fully functional. The $106 is less than what I would have paid for the ascenders alone, new. The helmet was a brand new, red Petzl Ecrin Roc (jackpot!) and the rescue 8 was a brand new (still in packaging) CMC Steel Rescue 8 which I turned around and sold for $65. So I basically got a new Ecrin Roc helmet and a pair of ascenders for $40.

There are always deals to be had out there, don't skimp on the melon bucket!

[Vallejo]

Thank you guys, for your advices. I'll be buying a good helmet while the next "Matacanes season" starts (apr-may).

[charlybldr]

I think it is prudent to clarify why you want to use a “climbing” helmet (no matter the price) for canyoning rather than a kayaking or cycling helmet.

A climbing helmet is designed primarily to protect your head from objects (rocks/carabiners etc.) falling from above. Climbing helmets are most preferred for canyoning for this reason. The UIAA developed a series of tests all climbing helmets that wish to carry their label must pass. Look for the UIAA label to confirm.

Kayaking helmets are designed to protect the head primarily from side impacts such as what you might receive if you hit your head on a submerged rock while rolling or going for a swim. The same foam that provides this protection also adds buoyancy. What they don’t do very well is protect your head from falling objects. For this reason they are not preferred for canyoning.

Cycling helmets are similarly designed to protect your head when it hits the pavement in a crash. They don’t do so good protecting against falling objects.

So the order of importance is:

1. Wear a helmet. Any helmet is better than none.
2. Wear a UIAA approved climbing helmet for canyoning. Your best option.

Used helmets can be ok as long as they do not show significant damage. Check the straps for wear or sweat/UV degredation. Check the shell for impact damage (which will show up as a “whitening” or “discoloring” of the plastic at the point of impact). Scratches and scrapes are ok as long as you see no impact damage.