HANS Devices

[Jam-Pony]

Has anyone used or know of anyone who has used a HANS device in OBC and winch style events?

I know that we don't get up to the same speeds as the circuit and rally guys but what do people think about the usefulness of these in our sport?

I am just coming back from a major spinal injury and i was contemplating using one as an added safety measure.

Matt

[turps]

Havent seen anyone with a HANS device.
But have seen some guys use those neck rings. There feedback was they think they where a good. And took abit of stress of there neck.

[SLOGQ]

If you were coming back from an injury like that then why wouldnt you....

Do you think it would restrict you from being able to look around properly though for off road style events?

[Jam-Pony]

Yeah one of my concerns was to do with restriction of movement and not being able to look around properly. They are also hellishly expensive so i was just looking for some input from others before making the purchase.

[nicbeer]

have a look on the rally sites as thats the main use of them. maybe the trials stuff not only in OZ may use them.

i know they use them in the icelandic crazy 4x4ing buggy things.

Nic

[Freakazoid]

Leatt is a customer of mine and I've seen the 70G sled test footage and these things really work. They were used on the Dakar this year by the top 40 bike riders as well as 2 of the VW drivers with the new Moto brace.

www.leatt-brace.com

The one you would want is the Moto R. They have agents in Aus.

[Jam-Pony]

Thanks Freakazoid,

I just had a look on the Leatt-Brace web page, looks like a good system but does it work with an open faced rally helmet? It looks to me that it relies on the helmet connecting with the brace to stop extended movement as it has no tethers.

Have you used one of these your self? If so, is that how they work and how was your movement once strapped in the car?

Matt

[ISUZUROVER]

I was talking to a (local) rally driver at the WRC about the HANS device. He wasn't very keen on it because he said that if you crash and end up upside down, it is physically impossible to unclip the HANS on your own.

In a lot of the forest rallys, it could be a while before someone comes to help - but I don't suppose that would be a problem oin OBC type events???

[Gwagensteve]

I think there are a few OBC stages where it could be a while before somone got to you.

I think the might be a bit OTT for OBC, so to speak.

Even in rockcrawling (where I think the potential for injury is quite high) I think they would be pretty limiting.

Steve

[Jam-Pony]

"he said that if you crash and end up upside down, it is physically impossible to unclip the HANS on your own."

What do you mean when you say unable to unclip? Do you mean the tethers from the helmet? As i understand it the HANS is only attached to your helmet and not attached to the seat, so once you are out of you’re harness you shouldn't need to be free off the HANS. If that is incorrect please let me know.

If it did prevent you from getting free of the car however, then it would be a major problem in the case of rolling over in water or in fire.

You are probably right in saying that it is overkill, but do you have a suggestion for some other protection against neck and back injury?

Matt

[`maddog]

Getting one of these for use in the buggy is something I'd been considering too, as my neck tends to get jarred a bit in big rolls.

Unfortunately they're something like $1400-1700 for the device, then you either have to buy a helmet with the clips, or have clips installed on your helmet, but only certain types of helmets can have them installed.

With regards to preventing you getting out. You do not have to unclip your helmet from the device to get out of the vehicle, you just undo your harnesses and it's all attached to you.

I'm thinking about testing out a go-kart style foam neck brace first to see if that makes any difference in rolls.

[Gwagensteve]

I'm thinking about testing out a go-kart style foam neck brace first to see if that makes any difference in rolls.

I think that is the best compromise.

I understand that HANS devices require special harnesses which assist to retain the HANS- a 3" strap over the shoulder and a 2" strap over the HANS.

Steve.

[super jeep]

we use the hans device in sprintcar racing the movement on them only alows us to look forward with very limited sidways movement the ones we use sits under your harness and allows you to unclip pretty fast as when your upside down the harness holds you up the only time you would have a problem is if you let your harness go first leaving the helmet attached to the hans,i suggest useing a neck brace and attach a couple of dog clips from your seat to your helmet to allow the movement only required this is what we used before the hans device, hans devices are really only designed for high speed roll overs where g forces take control.
the hans device we use sits on your shoulders and is straped in with your 3inch harness it has a piece that goes up into the helmet for the support then you use the clips from the device to your helmet, the clips can be bought for your helmet you don't have to buy a special helmet

hope this helps cheers SCOTT

[ISUZUROVER]

"he said that if you crash and end up upside down, it is physically impossible to unclip the HANS on your own."

What do you mean when you say unable to unclip? Do you mean the tethers from the helmet? As i understand it the HANS is only attached to your helmet and not attached to the seat, so once you are out of you’re harness you shouldn't need to be free off the HANS. If that is incorrect please let me know.

If it did prevent you from getting free of the car however, then it would be a major problem in the case of rolling over in water or in fire.

You are probably right in saying that it is overkill, but do you have a suggestion for some other protection against neck and back injury?

Matt

Can't remember 100%, something about restricted movement. But super jeep's comments and the comments here:

ERK: The issue about getting out of an upside-down car can be solved with quick release tethers. I saw a story on driver changes for endurance races and they can do it in 15 seconds so it's hardly a huge issue with a HANS. The teams do attach bungey cords to the seatbelts to lift them up and out of the way, so maybe you could consider that if it's difficult to get in and out with the HANS.

http://www.bmsc.com.au/forums/australia ... ons-5.html

seem to say it is no a problem.

One interesting point raised on the above website, is reversing with a hans on... You cannot turn your head to see where you are going.

[Freakazoid]

The Leatt Brace gives full movement left and right and also is connected to the helmet but to the chin strap connections. So it is also tethered. This helps since you can use any helmet ,even open face. This is what allows the head rotation left and right under normal driving conditions.

You should be able to gte hold of it through your Aus agent, maybe even for a try out.

[Jam-Pony]

I have organised to test the Leatt Brace and the Hans device this weekend.

I will let you all know how it all goes next week.

[Jam-Pony]

I tried out both the HANS and the Leatt brace today, my thoughts are as follows:

HANS - When i first put it on it was a little uncomfortable and i had a little trouble getting in the car at first but i think that was to do with practice. Once strapped in though i didn't really have any quarrel with the Hans UNTIL I wanted to pull a reverse. The tethers that link the brace to the helmet restrict your ability to look left and right to the point that in a tight situation it nearly becomes impossible to drive. So for winch challenge i would not recommend however i can’t see it being too much of a problem for rally.

Leatt Brace - This brace was a lot more time consuming to adjust and put on but once it was on it was reasonable comfortable. I had similar problems with getting in the car but again once strapped in i didn't really notice it to be all that much of an inconvenience at all. The brace restricts any extended forward, backwards and sidewards movement of the head however it still allows you about as much movement as you would normally have in a 6pt harness and so i found it much better when driving in tight off road situations.

I think that wearing either of these braces would take a little getting use to but for off road use i would recommend the Leatt Brace to anyone else is considering buying something and it will be the one that i get. It is also adjustable in size so if you and say another family member are both into motor sport you can both use the same device as they a bit pricy. (Although that Leatt Brace is about 500 bucks cheaper than the HANS)

My 2c

Matt

[beretta]

I wouldn't bother personally. In events like OBC, cliffhanger, or winch challenge events you need to be able to look around quickly for nav markers, to back up or whatever, a hans device would inhibit that too much. Great device, no question about it, just don't think it would be very practical for our style of events.

Personal opinion, just my experiences.

[Jam-Pony]

Yeah i agree with you it’s not going to be ideal but for my own personal situation having sustained a severe spinal injury recently it’s a restriction i am prepared to cope with.

[beretta]

I used to race enduros and a lot of guys wore a neck brace that they sell in the dirt bike shops, similar to the ones the jet boat dudes wear, horseshoe shapred brace, they were pretty comfortable and still allowed plenty of movement. That would be a far better option than a HANS device. I promise if you wear a HANS at something like OBC or Cliffhanger you will throw the phucker away after the first day.

[Jam-Pony]

Yeah that sounds like that Leatt Brace which i know is available for moto as well as car racing and as i explained above this is the brace i am going to get now having tried the Hans and the Leatt Brace. As you said it still does the same job but allows for greater movement which is important in our form or racing.

[Ruffy]

The only down side to a HANS device is the restriction of sideways head movement for looking out side windows etc.. But thats a small comprise for not becoming a para or quad!
Big Red Toy has a 'special' seat made for just himself for similar reasons. I'd be defintely looking into that aswell. The less movement you have in an impact or on rough tracks the better off you'll be.

Cheers Dan