| The wearing of snow sports helmets has
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| | helmets are functional, attractive, light
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| become increasingly popular season after
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| | and less restrictive than their helmet
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| season over the past decade. Helmets are
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| | cousins of the early nineties.
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| now compulsory in competitive skiing and
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| | With the growing popularity of safety
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| snowboarding and increasingly being worn
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| | gear, not only in winter sports but in
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| by high-profile skiers. With a huge range
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| | many other sports, and the fact that more
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| of colours and designs available ski
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| | skiers are looking for extreme
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| helmets are fast becoming regarded as a
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| | conditions, helmet sales have soared over
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| trendy and essential fashion accessory.
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| | the past few years. According to 44% of
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| Currently it is not a requirement for
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| | skiers currently wear a helmet and 42%
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| adults or children to wear a ski or
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| | are intending to wear one the next time
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| snowboarding helmet whilst participating
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| | they visit the slopes.
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| in recreational skiing. The exception to
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| | Helmet manufacturers have noticed the
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| this is one of the most fashion conscious
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| | rise in the use of helmets by skiers and
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| countries in the world; Italy, where the
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| | snowboarders and are thus developing new
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| wearing of helmets became compulsory for
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| | types and designs every season. The focus
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| all under-14s on 1st January 2005.
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| | for manufacturers is making helmets
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| Italy is the first European country to
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| | lighter, more durable and more
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| legislate that children must wear helmets
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| | fashionable in an attempt to reduce the
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| on the ski slopes. Those caught without
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| | resistance with first-time buyers.
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| helmets will face a fine of £100. In
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| | Furthermore, some helmet companies are
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| addition to the helmet requirement for
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| | trying to construct helmets which can be
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| children, off piste skiers are obliged to
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| | used for multiple activities such as
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| carry an electronic page and ski police
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| | climbing, skating and cycling thereby
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| will be able to fine skiers for excessive
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| | increasing the usage of a helmet for a
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| speeding. All Italian resorts are
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| | consumer.
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| expected to adhere to these rules and
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| | All ski helmets should carry a CE, ASTM
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| some ski schools offer free ski helmets
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| | or Snell RS-98 certification. ASTM
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| to children taking lessons.
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| | standards have been determined by a range
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| With the Italian legislation now in place
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| | of tests on helmet models. These tests
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| it is likely that other European
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| | include testing the strength of a
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| countries will be seriously considering
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| | helmet's retention system under simulated
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| following suit.
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| | hot, cold and wet conditions and multiple
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| The wearing of ski helmets in general has
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| | impacts and velocity forces against
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| become much more acceptable. No longer
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| | various sections of the helmet to
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| are skiers or boarders regarded as
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| | determine performance in skiing
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| 'uncool', on the contrary helmets are
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| | accidents.
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| becoming more and more cool. Today's ski
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