How to select the right Helmet.
By Harold Morrissette

The most important safety accessory that an ATVer can own is a helmet. The reason a helmet is so essential is that the helmet protects the ATVer's head against injury in an accident. Specifically, the purpose of a helmet is to reduce the risk of injury to the brain in case of an impact to the head.

Helmets protect the head in several ways; each protective measure is a function of the helmet's components. Helmets have four main components; three of them for protection and one for comfort. The three protective helmet components are the hard outer shell, the shock absorbing liner, and the chinstrap. The fourth component, the comfort liner, is solely to make the helmet more comfortable to wear. Each protective helmet component has a function. The hard outer shell is designed to withstand penetration, abrasion, and initial impact. The shock-absorbing liner is designed to absorb and distribute impact energy. By absorbing and distributing the energy of an impact, the shock-absorbing liner slows the transmission of impact energy to the skull The chinstrap is designed to keep the helmet properly positioned on the rider's head. The comfort liner not only makes the helmet comfortable to wear, but also provide needed padding to make the helmet fit properly. For maximum protection, a helmet must fit properly.

How to Select and Purchase a Helmet

Your Helmet is one of the most important accessories you can own. A Helmet protects your head by absorbing impacts and resisting penetration. A helmet also protects your head from heat, cold, and moisture. By taking a few minutes to select the right helmet for your needs, to make sure your helmet fits properly, and to understand how to care for your helmet, you can take full advantage of the safety benefits and comfort features your helmet has to offer.

You will probably think about price and color schemes when you choose your helmet, but there are other important factors you should consider. Four important considerations are size, style, helmet composition, and safety standards certification.

Many helmets are sold according to hat size. If you do not know your hat size, you will have to measure your head. The best way to measure your head size is to use a flexible tape measure. Measure the circumference of your head by holding the tape at the midpoint between your eyebrows and hairline, wrap the tape around your entire head, above the ears. Place the tape where you would normally wear a hat. Write down the measurement, either in centimeters or inches. Measure at least two more times to be sure you are accurate. Write down each measurement. Use the largest of the measurements to find your hat size in the Hat Size Conversion Chart

Metric	Head Size		Hat Size
cm	Inches	UK	Universal	USA
53	21	6 ½	x-small	6 5/8
54	21 1/4	6 5/8	small	6 3/4
55	21 3/4	6 ¾	small	6 7/8
56	22 1/8	6 7/8	medium	7
57	22 1/2	7	medium	7 1/8
58	22 7/8	7 1/8	med large	7 1/4
59	23 1/4	7 ¼	large	7 3/8
60	23 3/4	7 3/8	large	7 1/2
61	24 1/4	7 ½	x-large	7 5/8
62	24 1/2	7 5/8	x-large	7 3/4