Pacific Helmets

[bowstringtruss]

Has anyone ever heard of or currently use helmets manufactured by a company called Pacific out of New Zeland? If so what has been your experiences? They are supposedly quite light and not as expensive as other brands. I'm just wondering if "you get what you pay for" rings true on this one.
Thanks!

[RescuHoppy7]

Our department purchased Pacific for the new Firefighter, I personally do not use it so I can't offer first hand experience but I have not heard any negative things about the helmet...Stay Safe

[CharlieRFDPres]

Pacific F7

Have had one for over two years, absolutly best helmet I've worn in 33 years as a firefighter. Did kinda melt a stealthlite but the helmet was fine. Very comfortable and light, like the side protection, the face shield (built in) works well, one of the best things is increased range of motion of head and neck, especially when 'packed up', much better than 'conventional' helmets. Company was very accomidating, sent me one to try, the neck protector is very nice too, did have a slight unravelling problem, my only complaint was I had to send them the unraveled one, before they would send me a replacement, @ no charge, but helmet OOS while exchange being done, otherwise GREAT. Do take some ribbing about 'Maverick', wheres your space ship, etc.
But I feel its very good melon protection and thats what its there for. GOOD LUCK, "try it your like it"

BE SAFE OUT THERE
God Bless the 343 and 60, and grant his peace to their loved ones.

[drparasite]

i'm not familiar with this helmet. anyone got a picture or a link to who makes them?

[pumper41]

Pacific helmets' website is at www.pacifichelmets.com . Pacific helmets are fairly popular in Australia and dominate the market in New Zealand. Pacific use kevlar composite in their helmets, they are very light and strong. Pacific make both the modern (similar to Cairns 660/990) style helmet and the european style (similar to Gallet or Fire Knight). I have used several versions of the Pacific F3 modern style helmet, all are good helmets, although I prefer the Cairns 660 CAS due to a lower riding faceshield in the "up" position.

[Weruj1]

check out the high tech gizmo they are coming out with in 2004 ! it is at the bottom of the FF helmet page !

[mark440]

That new thing for 2004 is quite cool!
I like how they have "built in torch pods". I think that is funny!

*Mark

[firenresq77]

That one for 2004 looks like it belongs to a Storm Trooper or something......

[lutan1]

Have worn the A3/R3. Very comfortable, although found the face shield a bit big and boofy when worn up over the top, ie: not covering the face....

[hwoods]

Got One, Like It.........

I have, and use, one of the "first generation" Pacific "Rescue " helmets, as do others on our Technical Rescue Team. I acquired mine in 1990, and have used it ever since. It is currently in good condition and I see no need to replace it in the forseeable future. Stay Safe....

[lutan1]

I acquired mine in 1990, and have used it ever since. It is currently in good condition and I see no need to replace it in the forseeable future.

hwoods, surely there is a life span/expectancy for these helmets? I know construction helmets do, I just assume the manufacturer would have specified somehting....

[Jonathan Bastian]

Originally posted by lutan1


hwoods, surely there is a life span/expectancy for these helmets? I know construction helmets do, I just assume the manufacturer would have specified somehting....

I am not aware of any helmet manufacturer that gives a specific deadline on when a helmet has to be replaced. A general rule, though, is that very few helmets should survive more than 10 years use. Use, UV exposure, a few drops, age, etc. can all start to compromise the effectiveness. That said, on some companies, 10 years may be a pipe dream...3 can be the reality. In short, if you are replacing your turnout gear, you should probably replace your helmet. It sees more heat, gets more abuse and is cleaned less.

Do not confuse "looking effective" with "being effective". Kevlar and fiberglass helmets will lose strength without losing shape (the resin holding the fibers together weakens, but doesn't show any outward signs). To see if the strength is going, compare the flex in the brim on the old vs a new helmet. Too much flex means the Kevlar and fiberglass are waiting to give way.

JB
Bullard TI Training Mgr

[hwoods]

Oooops..............

Guess I should have been more specific. This is a "Rescue" helmet that I use for Collapse, High Angle Rope, and Confined Space Rescue. It does not go to Fires, It is carried in a gear bag in my vehicle, and is broken out for use 3 - 4 times per month. I have checked it for damage after each call, and keep it clean. There is no current reason to look for a new one yet. Stay Safe....

[Jonathan Bastian]

Re: Oooops..............

Originally posted by hwoods
Guess I should have been more specific. This is a "Rescue" helmet that I use for Collapse, High Angle Rope, and Confined Space Rescue. It does not go to Fires, It is carried in a gear bag in my vehicle, and is broken out for use 3 - 4 times per month. I have checked it for damage after each call, and keep it clean. There is no current reason to look for a new one yet. Stay Safe....

Such helmets should probably be replaced after 10 years as a safety precaution; materials age and become more brittle or less effective. They should also be replaced any time they take a significant impact, as the shell may be compromised or the suspension straps may have stretched past a safe limit.

[proffire]

We had a number (24) of Pacific Helmets a couple years ago at our fire school and they were the absolute worst junk I have ever seen. They cracked and basically fell apart in less than a couple months. Also the visor attachmnets broke. We had the supplier replace all of them with Cairns units