 I want to get my kids into Ghyll scrambling but i dont want to shell out for the full kit until i know they will like it. Have life jackets and im about to purchase wet suites,but helmets seem a bit expensive for four of them so i was wondering would Bicycle helmets be ok for the first couple of goes,nothing to tough just playing around a little? can anybody tell me if they are not,thanks in advance. DIDSTER!!
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How are bike helmets designed regarding sideways impacts? Just wondering - thinking of kid walloping side of head against rock side of gully
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well i would have thought pretty good considering thats probably the first part of the head to hit the deck if you were to come off your bike. I do wear a bike helmet but have been lucky enough not to test my theory out as yet  .
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Ummm...dunno...will wait for Peter Clinch or the like to wander by.
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 ALDI are doing wet suits this week, 40 quid saw my daughter and I kitted out. Decathlon are reasonable for lifejackets, around twenty pounds each. Likewise helmets, you can pick them up from twenty five pounds. Check out Go-Outdoors who have some good offers on helmets on soon (if not now). As to whether cycle helmets can be used, I would say that I think they would perhaps be a stop gap until you are fully equipped, as they are designed for low impact from a range of around 1.8m or less. I'm sure Peter will be along soon to contradict me and say that you are safer allowing them to bang their heads on rocks. Feel free to ignore him! 
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| Edited: 30/06/11 12:04 |
 Cycle helmets are designed to protect from front back and side impacts. Climbing helmets are designed to protect from rocks falling from above. Dual purpose helmets are available (for adults) though are expensive. If you ask any professional they will have to advise using an appropriate helmet though the actual protective value is dubious in each case. If your kids are young they are likely to need small helmets which they will outgrow. If you can get adult helmets with a big adjustment range that fit, then they can keep them for climbing into the future. What about kitting out two and taking turns?
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 Hmm - I'd suggest using your kayaking or caving helmets. Was that helpful?
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Thanks folks for all your input, i didn't make myself too clear at first,when i said four helmets i meant 2 adults 2 kids so cant really take turns plus i think the buzz together would make it that bit more special. I also want to note that under NO circumstances am i trying to cut corners on safety especially when my kids are involved. Now then Grumps if i only had a kyaking/caving helmet to start with . Weevil good info thanks,possibly what i wanted to hear  Grendel thanks for link and for what purpose have you just purchased a wet may i ask? gyhll scrambling or surfing
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 YGM, Dids.
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Canoeing Didster I picked up an inflatable canoe from LIDL recently for £30, and managed to get everything else for about £90, all new, either from Decathlon or ALDI.
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 I saw an advert today for kids wetsuits £12 from degatron.
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Canoeing Didster I picked up an inflatable canoe from LIDL recently for £30, and managed to get everything else for about £90, all new, either from Decathlon or ALDI.
Nice one enjoy... . Have been offered a days Ghyll scrambling with a guide all kit included free of charge from a very nice couple of OM'ers... Thanks folks xx
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 Bike helmets... I wouldn't use them for this. They're designed down to a specification of a low speed fall with no other vehicle involved, so I think Weevil's wonder about falling rocks is a pertinent one. As with caving general abrasion is part of the game and I'd guess it won't do their use for cycling much good if you've trashed the outer shell (that should help the helmet slide rather than "grab" tarmac and give a badly twisted neck, but if it's falling off it'll probably not do that so well.
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