Do I need a new helmet?

[methosb 5]

I have a pretty entry level Bauer 4500 helmet. I am tall and heavy, 6'3 " and about 210lbs and have a pretty fat head. The helmet is a little tight on the sides of my head but it doesn't really bother me when playing.

The other nigh during training I slipped up and cane down fast on the back of my head, just straight down like a rake and got KOed for a few seconds and ended up with a bit of a concussion.

So maybe this is s silly question, but do I need a new helmet due to a lack of protection or is it simply a matter of the way i fell ie. if I fell directly back on my head with that much weight coming down like that on the ice it doesn't really matter which helmet I have, I am still going to get knocked out? If the case is that for my size I really need a higher up helmet with more padding, what is the minimum level recommended for someone with a big heavy head?

[Fred 0]

I bet is the way you fell, going down on the back almost head first is so painful.

Maybe you could get a size up for the helmet but otherwise the 4500 is not that bad.

I have a quite big head too and wear a 4500, never had a problem even with a couple of hits on the walls.

[methosb 5]

Yeah I have taken a couple of hard pucks to the head and didn't really feel it other than the impact which made me think I might have just hit in just the right spot hard when I got KOed rather than the helmet not being protective.

[Monty22 835]

Helmets should be replaced anytime a significant hit like the one you described is absorbed.

[wrangler 157]

The helmet fit is critical. The age can be a factor. The newer technology foams can provide some benefits over the older foams like the 4500 has, depending on the nature of the impact. Some heads can be more susceptible to concussion. Certain impacts may result in concussion with any helmet.

All you can do is get the best fit for you, considering what's the best type of helmet and foam in that fit.

[AIREAYE 248]

monty's got it. if the 4500 fit well you could still get another one after or upgrade to a higher end helmet that also fits well. it was the type of impact that was the key factor, you would have likely experienced something similar either way. the most protective helmet is the one that fits the best.

[Canuck 0]

Seriously its your head. You can buy a helmet for less than a $100 bucks. When it comes to my head I wouldn't risk it. Fit, age or damage are all valid reasons to replace a bucket. You got one head why risk injury? Stack the odds in your favor and get something to protect your noggin that makes u feel confident wearing. Everyone has said it so far, get one that fits.

[Buzz_LightBeer 976]

Helmets should be replaced anytime a significant hit like the one you described is absorbed.

I think that applies more to EPP type foam as opposed to 4500 style.

So maybe this is s silly question, but do I need a new helmet due to a lack of protection or is it simply a matter of the way i fell ie

I think this one injury was a fluke, but in a league where you say you get hit in the head with the puck with some regularity, I'd step up the helmet. I doubt you need top of the line, but find a good value type helmet.

[Chadd 916]

Helmets should be replaced anytime a significant hit like the one you described is absorbed.

That is true for helmets with EPP style padding, but not as much for VN type padding like the 4500 has. There may be some damage to the shell and a full inspection should be done at a minimum. If the VN padding has gotten hard, then the helmet should absolutely be replaced. That said, it never hurts to check out new helmets and upgrade your protection.

[Souldriver 64]

+1 to the last 3 posts.

It's your head and maybe I'm a helmet snob but I don't look at anything but the top tier or two with helmets. You don't have to get thetops of the tops but better head protection vs taking lunch to work for a week or two seems like an easy choice.

[methosb 5]

Ok. So if I get a new one, say Bauer (as I can order this through my club), can someone suggest which model would bit a tad wider but a similar overall fit than the 4500 and offer better protection. I am fine to spend more if the protection is better.

The 4500 is an XL size btw.

[AIREAYE 248]

it really depends as every Bauer helmet fits differently. you really need to try them on.