I do not race competitively but I do push my car pretty hard at the occasional DE. Its occurred a number of times to myself and my friends that protecting our necks is pretty important, event though we don’t have harnesses or a roll cages. So I bought one of those foam collars – I guess its supposed to prevent dangerous extension of my neck in a collision.
After I bought it, thinking that I’ve dealt with the problem in a fashion appropriate to DE’s, it occurred to me that wearing a collar might be more dangerous than not – and is certainly a far cry from a hans device. I’m thinking that the collar might act as a fulcrum with the help of the helmet and could make a wreck worse on me.
Do anyone have access to formal research that indicates that a collar is better than nothing?
Also, if I get a hans device – could it be less effective since I don’t have a harness system?
I don't think the Hans device will work without a harness. I belive the Hans device is needed when you have a harness set up that keeps the body from moving much at all with only the head and neck able to move. This movement of the head while the body is held tight is what causes the skull to break away from the spine.
I don't know anything except what I've been told ... but on two separate occasions I heard in safety briefings that those without HANS had better use a collar with their helmet. Additionally, I'm told that the size of the collar should be appropriate for the helmet and fitted with the helmet. I'm going to get one fitted out at OGRacing at Summit on Aug 25 when I'm out there for the NASA HPDE.
BTW ... I also understand that HANS requires a harness to secure it.
As an aside, I've also decided to install a bar and harness belts this winter ... even though some say that its not a good idea to have a harness without a roll cage, having ridden in two harness-equipped cars, I have to believe that having a harness makes it easier to focus on driving and feeling the car, rather than bracing with the knees and hanging on to the wheel
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^VIR Turn 3 '08^-MungoZ06-'03 QS/ModRed - NCCC, NASA NCM Member - Z06 Fest IV,V,VI,VII
I too have surmised that a neck collar is probably more dangerous than withouth. I think it is a false safety notion.
I have argued this before and asked for people to produce tests that show the benefit of a collar.
If you go the HANS site and view the slow motion video of an impact, you will see a collar will do no good and will likely act as a fulcrum as Daddy says.
You make a good point, Oli ...
I googled it up and got some mixed results on helmet collar:
The patent filing for one helmet collar does not list any supporting claims of medical advantage.
A helmet collar vendor disclaimer states: "... Oour collars are not designed nor intended to prevent injuries to the neck such as whiplash and the like. Nor do we know of any helmet collar on the market which is aboe, or even claims to do so. Please wear any collar you choose bearing this knowledge in mind." (I see this as a prudent liability disclaimer).
Both a carting sanctioning body and a midget racing sanctioning body require helmet collars.
My sense is that the abrupt stop of the body while the head is in motion leads to a "snap" of the head and helmet in the direction of impact and that a well-made and properly fitted collar will limit the degree of "snap". I believe the advantage of that outweighs the risk of stretching the neck vertebrae through the fulcrum effect of the collar.
(no ... I did not sleep in a Holiday Inn last nite!)
/R
Denny
I think just watching it will change your opinion about neck collars. When you see how your head and helmet move in an impact, you will see how a collar would appear to help separate the back of your head and neck.
I think just watching it will change your opinion about neck collars. When you see how your head and helmet move in an impact, you will see how a collar would appear to help separate the back of your head and neck.
Interesting video. Its hard to make the collar/no collar comparison with it though because Dummy 1 is not wearing anything but a helmet. Now I'm wondering how much it will cost to get a Hans and harnessbar setup. I prefer my head connected to my spine thank you very much.
I am not sure I follow the fulcrum argument against neck collars. If your head is snapping away from your body because you are held more or less in place by stock belts or a harness, your head will tilt forward (assuming your spine is still intact) until the chin of the helemt (or your chin if you use an open face helemt) hits your chest. The collar would seem to limit that motion somewhat. Now, it is no substitute for a HANS or R3 since these limit the distance your helmet (head) can travel via the use of tethers.
I wear a collar in my kart and have started wearing it at track days in my car.
...your head will tilt forward (assuming your spine is still intact) until the chin of the helemt (or your chin if you use an open face helemt) hits your chest. The collar would seem to limit that motion somewhat.
Hi Steve:
I hope to see you at Spring Mountain.
I know where you are coming from on the head tilting forward analysis. That HANS video link above is not the best one though. When you buy a HANS you get a CD with it. THere is a lot of educational video. I could not find online the one I was looking for. On the CD there is a clip of a high G impact. IN that video, the head moves forward at the same horizontal plane as normal. It does not rotate down at all. The body moves forward until the harness slack is drawn tight and the head just keeps going forward. That rips your head loose. A collar won't help that and when you watch the video I could see how it could just add to the leverage.
Hence, that is why I challenge people at both car and kart tracks to show me a study that shows a collar helps tangibly. So far no one has produced any....
uh....people run harnesses without a roll cage (not just a roll hoop) and they run a HANS device? jesus, has anyone ever considered what might happen if you're unfortunate and land severly on the a pillar or right on top of the roof? well, i suppose you're screwed either way, but one's definite ownage.
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The day the Chevrolet Corvette overalls at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the day I will buy a brand new Z06.
I'd think the R3 would be a good choice for DEs. You never know whom you might be riding with, or instructing for. They might have a harness, might not. The one they had might not fit your HANS. The R3 is something you carry with you, so it might be better.
I know quite a few instructors that wear collars. It's mostly for neck fatigue, and because of the portability of the thing, I believe. It's somewhat of a safety, but in a har dhit, not sure how much it would help.
Without a harness, the HANS is ineffective in protecting the driver from serious head and neck injury in an accident. The belts must be anchored properly, with a recommended 3" distance between the belts' inner edges (otherwise, the belts can slide from the HANS) and with an angle 1" to 2" below the horizontal plane created as the belts contact the HANS device and exit through the seat towards the car's rear (any distance greater than 2" creates unwanted force on the driver's shoulders in an impact). Lastly, 1.5 inches distance should exist between the helmet and the seatback.
The seat must be designed so that the shoulder belts pass through--not around--the shoulder area of the seat. With safety in mind, the stock Z06 seats are unacceptable for use with a harness (since the belts can slide from the driver's shoulders in an impact) and consequently with a HANS device.
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... but on two separate occasions I heard in safety briefings that those without HANS had better use a collar with their helmet. Additionally, I'm told that the size of the collar should be appropriate for the helmet and fitted with the helmet. I'm going to get one fitted out at OGRacing at Summit on Aug 25 when I'm out there for the NASA HPDE.
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