WTB CAVEDIVER HELMET

[drew47000000]

DIVE RITE USED TO MAKE A REALLY NICE LOW PROFILE HELMET THAT WOULD FIT SUPERBLY EVEN WITH A MASK/7MM HOOD. IT WOULD EVEN ALLOW YOU TO ASSEMBLE 2 BACKUP LIGHTS ON THE SIDES. FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY HAVE CHOOSEN NOT TO MAKE IT ANYMORE BUT IM VERY DESPRITE TO GET AHOLD OF ONE IF ANYBODY CAN HELP ID GREATLY APPRECIATE IT! THANKS SO MUCH!! :-)

[FW]

I don't think they actually made it. I have one, and it is very similar to canoe and kayak helments. Try REI, or some other outdoor specialty company.

They were made by ProTec. You can get them at hobby shops that sell skateboarding equipment.

[novadiver]

and snorkel keepers will make fine light holders

[drew47000000]

If anyone has a link that I could purchase one of these helmets i would GREATLY appreciate it! People at the local shops dont seem to have any type of catalog that would fullfill a cave diver's requirments. But I know they exist out there....... somewhere :?

[DeWayne]

Just look for a simple kayaking helmet, that's all the DR model was only with an inflated price tag since it was destined for use by cave divers. You may have to alter the foam lining a bit to keep the helmet from being too bouyant, but that is not a major task. Pro Tec makes some good helemts that can be found through paddle sports dealers as well as skate board equipment vendors. Try googling protec waterports helmets (or some variant) and you will likely find all you need.

[thelawgoddess]

i think i saw a nite rider one on ebay recently. not sure if it's still available ...

[FW]

Hmmm....

Finding a currently manufactured cave diving helmet is not as easy as we thought. I looked at Pro-Tec's current line, and they don't make a simple helmet anymore.

I did several searches for canoe, kayak, and skateboard helmets. I even looked at British websites.

It seems that the helmet world has gone high-tech :-)
All the helmets I saw were sculpted for speed, and made to endure high speed crashes. Most were too bulky for diving.

[billyf]

www.caves.org/imo

the prices range from $47 to $200
they look like you wont have to alter them for diving because they use straps instead of foam.

This can't be that difficult. Two months ago a guy was in the shop asking about helmets for mounting lights (he's a river/artifact diver). He asked what cave divers do, and I said they used to use ProTec helmets. We got on eBay and found about a hundred different models, but he wanted one right away. We drove six blocks to Hobby Town, and they had about four models in stock. He chose one that didn't come down too far on the face, so as to not interfere with his mask.

I saw him a few weeks later and he said it worked great. He mounted a Dive Rite 18w HID with Tie-wraps and everything was fine.

Russell

[billyf]

search for climbing helmet on ebay


http://cgi.ebay.com/LEGO-Rock-Climbing-Duo-helmets-multi-coloured-rope_W0QQitemZ110026375641QQihZ001QQcategoryZ97046 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[OFG-1]

If you can wait until after DEMA, I will be marketing a new scooter that will serve both purposes. The chin strap is the only hold up, and the motor gives me a headache.

http://www.easleys.com/ProductImages/hats/propellerbeanieF16257.jpg

[FW]

search for climbing helmet on ebay


http://cgi.ebay.com/LEGO-Rock-Climbing-Duo-helmets-multi-coloured-rope_W0QQitemZ110026375641QQihZ001QQcategoryZ97046 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You got me! Hook, Line and Sinker :-D

[velasced]

Hello !

Niterider has helmets and you can then buy their lights for the same.

Ed

[Duncan Price]

I did several searches for canoe, kayak, and skateboard helmets. I even looked at British websites.

You should have tried Australia:

http://www.mainpeak.com.au/product.aspx?productID=8360

Lots of caving suppliers have helmets. Here's another source:
https://www.onrope1.com/index.php?mode=store&category1=Helmets

[JimC]

I am using a Petzl Ecrin Roc Helment. Doing the job fine, if its a touch big. But it has a nice harness inside so there is no foam to break down, and after I drilled a few holes to vent air it's about neutral. Theres lots of places to mount lights to as well.

All those newfangled foam helmets must float like crazy.

[FW]

Lots of caving suppliers have helmets. Here's another source:
While this is true, most "dry" caving helmets aren't well suited to diving. I have several types of "dry" caving helmets. One of the bigest problems is that they trap air. Older canoe helmets had slots to release bubbles. The other problem is the suspension. It makes the helmet stay pretty far out from your head.

Some hardcore sump divers use "dry" caving helmets, because they do some hard pushes beyond the sump. I suspect that is not the use most sidemount divers plan to do :-)

FWIW, I saw the Australian link on the CDG website. The shipping cost is as much as the helmet :(

[drew47000000]

Thanks for all the resources and outlets everyone!! Is there any chance that someone has one of these laying around they're looking to get rid of possilbly to save me a few bux? Thanks

[Webmaster]

Go to K-Mart or <insert generic dept. store name here>, and get a cheap bike helmet. Many of them have removable foam, some are just harder to remove.

Get it so that it's a bit too small stock, then once you remove the foam you should be able to snug the shell right down over your hood. The chin strap should be attached to the shell so all that's left is to mount your lights.

If it's a bit loose you can shave the foam down that came with it and remount some; or just glue in a bit of scrap neoprene from an old wetsuit or something.

[drew47000000]

WINNER!!!!!!!! THANKS FOR THE IDEA!! Its quite a simple idea im suprised i didnt think it up myself, but what I like even more is that its probably going to cost me only a fraction of what these other sites were wanting, not to mention the shipping from australia, and brit. was gonna kill me. Ill go shopping soon to let everyone know the outcome of my endeavor!

[jammer]

What about a Skate board helmet? Like the Tony Hawk line. Is the foam inside to much? Does it float to much? I can get a killer deal on them but dont know if they would work or not. Like to ask people that have tried than to spend $$$$$$$$$$$ and it not work.

[FW]

What about a Skate board helmet? Like the Tony Hawk line. Is the foam inside to much? Does it float to much? I can get a killer deal on them but dont know if they would work or not. Like to ask people that have tried than to spend $$$$$$$$$$$ and it not work.
The older style skateboard helmets will work fine. The newer teardrop shaped ones are too bulky, and bouyant.

I am using a Petzl Ecrin Roc Helment. Doing the job fine, if its a touch big. But it has a nice harness inside so there is no foam to break down, and after I drilled a few holes to vent air it's about neutral. Theres lots of places to mount lights to as well.

All those newfangled foam helmets must float like crazy.
Here’s the caving helmet that Jim uses:
https://www.onrope1.com/index.php?mode=store&submode=showitem&itemnumber=a01x

Here’s a past post about making cave diving helmets (some tricks others have used):
http://cavediver.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2188&highlight=helmets

[ARY]

IMHO Home Depot has the better one, about $7. It needs few adjustments recommended by Bill R at his sidemount_dot_com. I have one:
http://yefimovs.com/kjf/downloads/ARYgear/ARYsmaccessories1.jpg

[OFG-1]

This hat works well also.

http://www.villagehatshop.com/media/viking-wings.jpg

You can wedge your lights in next to the wings.

[Dave]

FWIW, I saw the Australian link on the CDG website. The shipping cost is as much as the helmet :(
I owe you a favor, if you really want one, let me know. Ill get it to you.

Dave

[drew47000000]

I WANT ONE!! Send me the details on getting aholda one!

[FW]

FWIW, I saw the Australian link on the CDG website. The shipping cost is as much as the helmet :(
I owe you a favor, if you really want one, let me know. Ill get it to you.

Dave

Thanks Dave, but I have plenty of helmets. I am just trying to find a source for everyone else. Besides, I suspect some employee of a cavediving gear manufacturer is monitoring this post to see what the demand would be :-)

[FW]

FWIW, I saw the Australian link on the CDG website. The shipping cost is as much as the helmet :(
I owe you a favor, if you really want one, let me know. Ill get it to you.

Dave

Thanks Dave, but I have plenty of helmets. I am just trying to find a source for everyone else. Besides, I suspect some employee of a cavediving gear manufacturer is monitoring this post to see what the demand would be :-)

[HappyHacker]

What about these?

http://www.buyskateshoes.com/catalog/shopbybrand/ProTec/helmetsPads

[Oister]

IMHO Home Depot has the better one, about $7. It needs few adjustments recommended by Bill R at his sidemount_dot_com. I have one:
http://yefimovs.com/kjf/downloads/ARYgear/ARYsmaccessories1.jpg

Where did you get the retractor in the pic. Home Depot?

[Arnold Mesiser]

Thanks Jim,you saved me posting...while on the subject though.I cut the hood off my old Posiedon unisuit and the super crushed thin hood is superb with either helmet I use.The helmets sit low with that hood.



Threadjack

BTW Jim..I was up your way today (frikkin cold dammit) Buuut I was helping someone dig a sump.Join that group I told you about and maybe you will have some warmish winter stuff :)

[Oister]

How about this helmet?http://store.karstsports.com/pevevehea11.html

Do you think it will fit over the mask right?

[FW]

How about this helmet?http://store.karstsports.com/pevevehea11.html

Do you think it will fit over the mask right?
It may go over a mask, but the big question is, will it go over a hood? I had to take the liner out of the one I use.

If you can try one in a store, that would be best. Otherwise, get an online place with a money-back guarantee.

[Oister]

Thanks forest I didn't even think about a hood.(FL on the brain)

Russel