Helmet Accessories

[bgilmore07]

Would someone please explain to me the use of your helmet as a place to carry stuff? I have seen stickers, shields, flashlights, screwdrivers, door chocks, sprinkler chocks, scissors, knives, razor blades, strobe lights, accountability tags, leather gloves, ff gloves, rubber gloves, pictures, Happy Meal toys, light sticks, and even a condom.

This usually occurs on leather (or pleather) helmets, where there are more nooks and crannies. Aren't they heavy enough, without all of the crap? ('cause Lord knows, you're probably not wearing the chin strap- it's not cool to protect your head!)

Maybe it's just about my area, but it seems that the amount of equipment attached to a person's headgear is indirectly proportional to their ability and worth on the fireground. Maybe has something to do with the increased weight.

I know, your ran out of room in your pockets!

[fyrescue]

My experience is carry only what you need. I wear nothing on my helmet as it makes it heavier. Adding a flashlight is handy, however it usually puts your helmet off ballnce as well can be snagged on something while your working inside. My preference is not to add anything to my helmet. I've found the same policy is true with the rope rescue team I respond with. I don't carry a ton of extra equipment on my harness, only what I'll need to do the job. Many times I've seen the rescuer who has 4-5 extra web slings and extra Gibbs and pulleys, etc. etc., get hung up in the middle of the evolution. I believe in keeping everything "clean", it won't get you in trouble.
I remember an old timer comment to one of our Gung Ho officers once, he was wearing 2 pagers, a flashlight, an EMT holster, which was his normal attire. He said "I hope you don't fall in the canal, 'cus your gonna drown", commenting on all the extra gear he was carrying.

Be safe,

Mike

[e33]

Its the easiest place to get to stuff. The drawback is that it violates helmet manufacturers recommendations and some stuff will melt if heated. Trying to fish in pockets while in poor atmosphere is hard...so the things like door chocks are easy to get if all u have to do is swipe them off your helmet. As far as gimmicks and gadgets, its all whatever does it for you. Some use them as good luck charms, some have symbolism, some are just gear gurus. Who cares...why should it bother you...your point is true though about many with excessive accessories..they are usually useless in time of need, but in their eyes, they look "cool" http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by e33 (edited July 11, 1999).]

[Halligan84]

Wearer's of those get the "Swiss Army Helmet" award here.....

[Bob Snyder]

The only thing I keep on my New Yorker is my primary pair of gloves. I'll stand by this, and here's why I do it:

I find that my coat pockets are useless after donning SCBA. They are directly under the waist strap. As a result, the pockets in my bunker pants contain door chocks, flashlight, etc. Further, I find it easier to put on gloves last, right before entry, climbing, or whatever. So...I keep the gloves on the sides of the helmet, using the chin strap to hold them. They are out of the way until I'm ready to put them on, then I unhook the strap, grab the gloves, put them on my hands, close the strap, and go to it. No carrying gloves around or laying them down and forgetting where you put them while putting on a face piece, turning controls on the SCBA, or anything else. And, they are always there when I need them.

I do agree with you, however, that the helmet isn't very useful for carrying anything else. Let's face it, whatever is up there is just going to get burned up anyway.

[Daveg27]

LOL!

bgilmore07- Do you come from a Volunteer Dept? I ask because it seems like I see this stuff more from weekend warrior types. I'm not ragging on volunteers(I am one)!

Currently I don't carry anything on my leather. I do think they are a good place for door chocks though. It is difficult to dig stuff out of pockets in the thick of it. Bob Snyder makes an excellent point too. Coat pockets are useless, I use a glove strap to hold my gloves off my belt but same idea.

[boog8591]

Helmets can be a great place to keep something you need to get to in a pinch.

I keep 1 door chock and a flashlight tucked in the rubberband around my leather helmet. I also keep a center punch wedged behind my front shield.

These are things I might need during a firefighting or vehicle extrication incident that I dont want to fish around my pockets for. Coat pockets are useless, especially when you don an airpack. Leg pockets while they are big and easy to get to, are still hard to find item in with leather gloves on.

I also dont feel that it weighs your helmet down significantly. You already have the weight of your turnout gear, a SCBA, and any other equipment you might have. A couple of small items stored on your helmet will not be noticed.

[Jim M.]

The only accessory really necessary is the vegetable matter INSIDE the helmet. Too many times in these forums we are reading about accidents that happened to good people who left some of the stuffing home and did something without thinking!

[bgilmore07]

I'm glad to see some well-thought-out replies. Yes, I am from a volunteer department, but my department does not use (p)leather helmets- Metro II's all around. (and only because the Philly helmets were outlawed!) I may be biased, but I think that leather's are TOO heavy to be of much use, and although I know I'm fighting centuries of tradition, I think that their time has gone.

The one irony I have noticed: Many of the olde rmembers of my department will not wear their turnouts while driving apparatus, they claim that they get a better feel for the pedals with street shoes. I must agree. However, almost every one of them will wear their helmet while driving. I think that this is a contradiction, since it must be harder to turn your head to look at mirrors, intersections, etc. than without the weight of a helmet. Hmmmm...

[Daveg27]

bgilmore07- Gotta disagree about the leathers. I've used both Metros and leathers(not pleathers though) and I'll never go back to a Metro. Sure the Metro is lighter but to be completely honest the ONLY time I have ever noticed the weight difference is sitting around the station comparing the two. I've never been at a scene and complained or even thought about the extra weight on my head. To each his own I guess. You're right though, tradition is really the only advantage a leather has going for it, but that's enough for me!(assuming it meets the necassary standards of course)

[RKenny BFDNY]

New Yorkers, a must,at least traditional style with Borques. Don't worry people I carry NFPA approved goggles too. I personally keep my gloves (sometimes) on them, especially if my spare pair is wet, I'll leave them on my helmets secured by the chin strap until they dry. Other than that, I only keep one door/sprinkler wedge and a small flashlight.

[alpha192]

If your worried about getting snagged because of what is on your lid, what about that 6 inch wide 7.4 lb. Lightbox you have
strapped around you and through your SCBA's harness system. I like to carry a garity light stuck under the rubber band on my
leather. After all, were my face points, the light goes.
As for the decorations. So be it. I have a Johnny Bravo sticker on the back of my lid. We both have the same luck with the girls, and kids
love him.

KEEP SAFE

[This message has been edited by alpha192 (edited July 24, 1999).]

[Knisely]

How much fire do you actually face with all that junk on your lid. If you get in to any real heat, the band would melt and all your stuff is lost forever. Maybe keep a chock, or gloves, but everyone else with the shopping cart on their head is only trying to look cool for the cameras. Check most city departments, or aggressive volunteer stations, and you will not see much on their head except their lid.

[Nik]

I've heard debates of how effective/ineffective helmet-mounted flashlights are. I think it all depends on the person. I'm satisfied with door chocks and little else. Any more and I'd forget it was up there (kind of like glasses on your head...)

keep safe,
Nik

[nbfd131]

I've seen people wear too much on their helmets. I agree that it is easy top have to much weight up there. I have a Cairns 1010 that I am currently using for my helmet. The only thing I have on it is a cheap but very usefully plastic flashlight, the type my dad used 30 years ago while firefighting, works great. I also have a wood chock which is getting replaced tommorrow by a pair of Paul Conway Shields metal door stops. These things are only about 1/8th inch thick and inch or so square. Works great for hanging over the door hinges. Won't crack in half like the wood ones either.

See ya on the roof.
Gregg

[gp13]

Until two years ago we issued the Sam Houston
leather helmet,now we issue the 1010. Most still wear leather! We are a large department
and we are agressive, we don't care what a member puts on his helmet as long as he does his job!!!!! On mine I wear a UNION pin, flashlight,door wedge, and mickey mouse why you ask, because it's my helmet,my head and I want too! Maybe instead of worrying about why
we wear whatever on our helmets you should turn your attention to something worthwhile!
I think my helmet is ME! and I promise you I am not outside looking cool for the camera!
Unfortunately there are people who do not want to express themselves and will always follow popular opinion, I am not one of those! Why is it that so many "MEDICS" carry enough scissors on their belt that they look like off duty barbers,or they are always asking for scissors! LIVE AND LET LIVE!!!

LEATHER FOREVER!!! UNION AND PROUD!!!!!!


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[FRED]

I Have worn Sam Houstons, New Yorkers, Metro's and Ben Franklins I's and II's
-The metro's are low bid junk.
-Sam Houston while durable are top heavy.
-New Yorkers are the best thing I have worn by far. I carried a Garitty on one side and two door chocks/(sprinkler wedges) on the other side. It doesn't add any noticeable weight.
It never once felt heavy or unballenced the I went through a couple of flashlights not because they metlted(which they did and kept working) but because the batteries died.
I also had an american flag pin in my rubber strap. Why you ask? because I am an american and I can!
-I now wear a Ben II because my Dept. requires it which is alright but it isn't as strong as the leathers. I already broke it once on the Brim and replaced it.
I never once worried about my head while I was wearing a leather. It is the most durable Helmet out there. It won't melt or get soft spots, break or chip. Why else whould it have lasted this long?
As for the personalization, wear what you want. I have a Union sticker on my brim. So what it's my business. You can where a pink tupperware salad bowl on your head for all I care because those metros are only distant cousins.
I agree whole heartedlly with gp13...
Leather Forever and Union Proud!

[LOCAL 2493 MEMBER]

WE CALL THE GUY WITH THE TOOL BOX
ON HIS HEAD " MACGIVER " AROUND HERE.

HAVE TRIED ALL THE COMBINATIONS OF
SMALL TOOLS ON THE HELMET AND POCKETS
AND LEARNED THAT MOST OF THAT STUFF IS USELESS WHEN YOU HAVE A REALLY GOOD JOB
GOING. NOW I CARRY JUST LIFE SAVING EQUIPMENT ON MY GEAR.
BEST MOVE I MADE WAS PURCHASING THE GUT BELT TWO YEARS AGO AND CARRY ONLY MY
FLASHLITE ( THE CAR HEADLITE SIZE ) ON IT AND A SPARE CARIBINER. WHEN ITS GOING GOOD THOSE LITTLE LITES ARE USELESS. ALSO, WHEN CRAWLING THE LITE HANGS PERFECTLY STRAIGHT AHEAD WITH OUT HAVE TO HOLD. WHEN OFFICERS TRY AND BUM MY LITE I KEEP IT ATTACHED SO IT DOSE NOT GET LOST AND IF I NEED TO GET OUT FAST THE HARNESS IS THERE. WITH BUNKER PANTS YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD A COUPLE OF CHOCKS AND A SMALL HAND TOOL OR TWO. ALSO, I KEEP MY HOOD IN MY RADIO POCKET SO THAT I HAVE TO PUT IT ON OR ELSE I'LL HAVE TO CARRY THE RADIO.

[sarge552]

My experience is that your helmet is used to protect your head and it shouldn't matter what TOOLS are on your helmet as long as it works for you and you know exactly where they're at. I keep a rubberband on my 1010 to hold my chocks and I have a star of life sticker to let the EMS and Mutual Aid agencies we respond with that I am medically qualified. Stay safe.