Heads up on helmets

摘要

WHEN OLYMPIC SHORT-LISTED equestrian Michael Johnston took a savage hoof blow to his right temple after a fall during a one-day-event, he knew he was lucky to be alive - but perhaps not quite how lucky. Unlike some other equestrian helmets, the lightweight 'Aussie 21' helmet he was wearing is certified by SAI Global to the Australian Standard, AS/NZS 3838, Helmets for Horse Riders, and carried the famous "Five Tick" StandardMark. This means independent testing shows that it can withstand forces known to be likely to cause severe head injuries. And, in Michael Johnston's case, subsequent testing has shown that his helmet was able to sustain a blow of even greater force.