I have a fire helmet thats about 10 years old and I was wondering if you guys think it is still usable. The crash pad is still good and there are ear flaps and all. The front emblem is just smashed up.
amazingly enough when you go to training, and show up to calls your helmet takes on a nice natural "SALTY" look. Go figure. Maybe I should start selling my helmets after a year or so.
I spent 15 years on the volunteer department before getting a full time gig, and all of my helmets were in my hands brand new with the exception of the older R.I. helmet, and the black leather that I refurbed, so I do know where they've been and what I've done in them, and my son will get them when I'm gone. I can't imagine using someone elses helmet that's had a lot of time put on them either...
I have all but one of my helmets that I have ever worn. The one I am missing is my rookie helmet from my first volunteer department and it is true that your new helmet tends to get a "character" of its own after a year or so.
The first two are my current helment and the last two are my old helment
and yes the reflecters do reflect. I don't no if the meet nfpa standerds or not but they do reflect. They reflect pretty darn good. just as good as the others.
I am about to order me a 6 in. I got this helment from a fire department that was buying new ones. So I didn't have one to put on it. So I grabbed a one of busted helments at the station (lion - Revolutions) and grabbed the front off it. I am going to order me one for the front eventully.
I'm wearing the 2nd hand helmet I was given when I came to my present Brigade. "It looks OK", so it was given to me. I was able to get a new inner harness, so at least I'm not picking up anybody else's head lice! I should follow up to see if our lids have a 'use by' date, mine would be past it I think! They're Kevlar reinforced, and Kevlar breaks down under UV radiation - something we have plenty of!
There're photos of my lid in my album.
When it comes to the 'salty' look, forget it. My helmet gets washed after every dirty job. I hate dirty gear, just makes you look like a slob!