Ice Climbing Helmets
Ice Climbing is a very challenging sport - both mentally and physically. While this fact creates much of the excitement in climbing a wall of ice, it also presents unforeseen dangers especially if you are not prepared enough for the climb. We think that safety is a primary consideration in any sport especially the extreme kind such as this. Since one of the important areas of your body that should be well-protected is your head, we dedicated an entire article on the importance of wearing a helmet whenever you go Ice Climbing.
A concussion to the head area due to falling ice or rocks may cause unconsciousness, or worse, death. You therefore need to wear a helmet every time you go Ice Climbing. Otherwise known as the brain bucket, the helmet is designed to withstand a certain amount of impact to your head due to falling debris, thereby reducing the risk of a serious injury.
But what kind of helmet do you need for Ice Climbing? Helmets are made of different materials. Some are made of polycarbonates or fiberglass for the shell, while the inside is lined with closed-cell foam for a comfortable fit.
You must remember, however, that it is not enough to wear a helmet made of durable materials. You should also know how to wear it properly. In general, a good helmet must fit your head snugly. Do not wear it pushed back on your head. You may think it looks cool, but you lose a significant amount of protection on your forehead when you do so.
Finally, when you intend to buy a helmet, you should check if it has the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation’s UIAA safety label. If the label is present, then it means that it passed the international standards set for climbing and mountaineering equipment, thus ensuring your safety.
If you wish to learn more on how to protect yourself when you go Ice Climbing then it is a good idea to check our section on Ice Climbing Safety. It covers essential topics such as caring for your rope and other pieces of gear, avalanche awareness and safety, as well as safety on ice and how to perform first aid.
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