How long is TOO long to keep a GPA?

[jhg140]

Quite recently, the daughter of a family friend had a freak riding accident that resulted in severe head trauma. I am not sure what kind of helmet she was wearing, but this definitely got me thinking about my own helmet.

I know that you are supposed to replace a GPA (or similar headgear) after a serious fall; however, is anyone aware of a time frame for just general replacement? I got my GPA when I was 16, and I am now going to be 23 in May. I have been very fortunate to not have any serious falls during this time, but is it possible that it needs to be replaced? I don't know much about whether is becomes less effective over time.

Anything you know about this would be great! Definitely not looking forward to buying a new helmet, but am very serious about being as safe as possible. Thanks!

[kashmere]

after a fall or every five years is kind of the standard motto i've heard

[amastrike]

Five years from the date of manufacture.

[IsolaBella09]

Definitely time to get a new helmet. :lol:

[joiedevie99]

Everyone is correct. 5 years from the date stamped on the inside of the helmet as manufacture date, regardless of whether it has ever been worn.

[mcm7780]

As others have said, 5 years from the date it was manufactured (not the date you bought it -- it could have been sitting on the shelf for a year or so) or after a fall. Doesn't have to be a serious fall: a fall where your head touches the ground at all could damage it. Now, if you fall and land on your feet or butt only, you're probably okay. But, if you fall on your back and your head lands too, time to replace! :)

[STNS]

With motorcycle helmets (which use the same materials as riding helmets) the general wisdom is every 3-5 years depending on the use it sees. If you ride a lot, especially in warmer temps, then you may want to replace every 3-4 years as the sweat and heat breaks down the materials more quickly. If you take care of your helmet - wash it regularly, keep it in a cool dry place, etc. - then every 5 years should be fine.

[OneFineMess]

I have heard after three years the light density foam starts to loose its protective effects.

[kookicat]

About five minutes. ;)

I replace mine (not GPAs though) every three years. It's what I'm comfy with.

[eqrider1234]

i think ive had mine for four(ish)? years but ive had at least idk 6,7,8? falls in it.. im thinking time to replace? ughh if only the gpas werent what.. $510 now?

[WorthTheWait95]

i think ive had mine for four(ish)? years but ive had at least idk 6,7,8? falls in it.. im thinking time to replace? ughh if only the gpas werent what.. $510 now?

Much cheaper through here:
http://www.amirashop.co.uk/acatalog/GPA_Riding_Helmets_for_Adults.html

[elctrnc]

I bought a GPA from Amira Equi about two years ago. Got it in the mail and it did not have the SEI sticker. Website said that it was SEI-certified. Emailed them about it, and they said it was certified and they would not take the helmet back even though it did not have the sticker. It is my understanding that it needs to have the SEI sticker to be legal for competition. Decided not to use it as it could be considered to be "against the rules."

I see they have changed the wording on their website to say that the certification "complies with American SEI." I would be very careful about ordering a helmet that does not have the SEI sticker if you are doing rated shows.

[WorthTheWait95]

I showed on the AA circuit for 11 years as a kid and never once had anyone look for a sticker on my helmet. When I bought my GPA's they had an SEI sticker on it but I usually removed it before riding in it and never had a problem. Personally I think the 'risk' is worth it when looking at all the money I save but everyone's different.

[mcm7780]

i think ive had mine for four(ish)? years but ive had at least idk 6,7,8? falls in it.. im thinking time to replace? ughh if only the gpas werent what.. $510 now?

It was probably time to replace it after the first fall (maybe second depending on the circumstances). ;) Is a pain that they are so expensive. I've always used schooling helmets that are less expensive for that reason. (But, I don't show in the hunters.)

[eqrider1234]

It was probably time to replace it after the first fall (maybe second depending on the circumstances). ;) Is a pain that they are so expensive. I've always used schooling helmets that are less expensive for that reason. (But, I don't show in the hunters.)

yeah ive taken quite a few good tumbles in that helmet, although it is in way better shape than my trainers helmet which she has had under a year. i was just putting it off, because i dont think they make the textium anymore do they? it fits so good, and i hate the way that the titium fits.

[Kementari]

Every five years, after ANY fall (or other incident) that involves head impact (be it with the ground, a wall, a jump, a hoof...), or if you've done something else to impact the helmet's integrity (like accidentally leaving it in the car all day when it's 100 degrees outside...). :yes:

This, to me, is the best argument AGAINST $300+ helmets - you pay that much, and you fall the next day...and you aren't going to be nearly as likely to replace it as if you'd paid under $100 for it.

[eqrider1234]

Every five years, after ANY fall (or other incident) that involves head impact (be it with the ground, a wall, a jump, a hoof...), or if you've done something else to impact the helmet's integrity (like accidentally leaving it in the car all day when it's 100 degrees outside...). :yes:

This, to me, is the best argument AGAINST $300+ helmets - you pay that much, and you fall the next day...and you aren't going to be nearly as likely to replace it as if you'd paid under $100 for it.

exactly i paid so much for it, and it looks perfect on the outside! to me (and my paying father for that matter) it is still good.... i guess ill have to convince him (and myself) otherwise. :cry::cry:

[HARROLDhasmyheart]

I just bought a new helmet (a GR8) after a little over 4 years of having a GPA. I'd fallen a few times, and when a horse I was hacking took off with me it fell down over my eyes. That's when I decided it was time for a new one :)

[Alterageous]

exactly i paid so much for it, and it looks perfect on the outside! to me (and my paying father for that matter) it is still good.... i guess ill have to convince him (and myself) otherwise. :cry::cry:

I have seen helmets take concussion-inducing falls and look perfect on the outside, but inside the foam has compressed to a depth of less than half an inch, and the helmet is worthless.

If you can't afford to replace it with a comparable model, get a cheaper helmet, don't just keep riding in it until it splits in half. Certainly a massive head injury is a lot more expensive than a $200 helmet. You don't HAVE to have a GPA to ride a horse.

[whbar158]

Until I can find a helmet that fits as well as the GPA for $100 I will buy a cheaper helmet. I need a new one so badly but I can afford a new one, and an ill fitting helmet isn't a safe one either. So what am I suppose to do? If anyone knows of a helmet that fits just like the Titium and NOT the textium let me know!

[WorthTheWait95]

Until I can find a helmet that fits as well as the GPA for $100 I will buy a cheaper helmet. I need a new one so badly but I can afford a new one, and an ill fitting helmet isn't a safe one either. So what am I suppose to do? If anyone knows of a helmet that fits just like the Titium and NOT the textium let me know!

That's exactly my problem (only the textium fits and not the titum). I've tried on every helmet brand I know of from the $550 dollar ones to the $40 dollar ones and the ONLY one that fits my head comfortably is the GPA textium. I wish I could just buy a cheap one but wearing an ill fitting helmet is no better then not wearing a helmet at all.

The CO's sit so far up on my head I not only look ridiculous but I'm pretty sure if I ever fell off it would simply pop off regardless of the harness :lol:. Not to mention they put so much pressure on the sides of my head I'm afraid that alone might cause brain damage.

The troxels, IRH's, tipperary's, etc are no better. My solution to this was to just buy the GPA's through the link I posted earlier in this thread. I really wish another company would come out with a cheaper helmet that fits like the GPA's. And why can they be sold for so cheap in the UK but not the US?

[elctrnc]

I showed on the AA circuit for 11 years as a kid and never once had anyone look for a sticker on my helmet. When I bought my GPA's they had an SEI sticker on it but I usually removed it before riding in it and never had a problem. Personally I think the 'risk' is worth it when looking at all the money I save but everyone's different.

Well, with my luck, I would have worn the helmet once and that would have been the day they were checking helmets! :lol: