Discussion
Just a quickie regards HANS devices.
Are they lifed in the the same way harnesses and to an extent belts are? And if you have a big shunt (eg head on into tyres) when large loads are placed on the HANS what if anything needs replacing? The whole unit and helmet, just the straps and helmet posts etc?
Regards
Iain
Are they lifed in the the same way harnesses and to an extent belts are? And if you have a big shunt (eg head on into tyres) when large loads are placed on the HANS what if anything needs replacing? The whole unit and helmet, just the straps and helmet posts etc?
Regards
Iain
Hi Iain
They are not lifed like belts. If you have a really big impact where the HANS kicks in and does its stuff, the chances are it will break your collar bones as the forces are transferred from head to chest. Once you've recovered it might not be a bad idea to inspect the helmet for evidence of cracking around the post mounts and the HANS for any evidence of damage.
Cheers
Andy
They are not lifed like belts. If you have a really big impact where the HANS kicks in and does its stuff, the chances are it will break your collar bones as the forces are transferred from head to chest. Once you've recovered it might not be a bad idea to inspect the helmet for evidence of cracking around the post mounts and the HANS for any evidence of damage.
Cheers
Andy
That article is poorly written, inaccurate and in no way answers Iain's question.
Far more useful is the HANS user manual here: http://hansdevice.com/s.nl/sc.5/.f
This suggests that tethers are replaced after an accident and the device is inspected for delamination or any other damage.
They also say that the guidance on Snell helmets is they should be replaced evey 5 years. They suggest, that as the HANS uses similar composite technology, that users consider changing the HANS in a similar timescale. Then they say we recommend you change it afer an accident (contradicting the point about inspecting made earlier in the booklet). This is all buried on page 13 and the 5 year thing starts to feel like marketing, more so when you read that they do not carry spares for HANS over 3 years old.
I have had mine for several years and it looks exactly as it did the day I bought it. They are very, very stiff and it would take a hell of a whack to flex it to cause damage. It feels completely different to a helmet which is designed to deform and spread an impact. Drop a helmet and it is easy to believe it will be damaged as a result. Drop a HANS and you'll do little more than chip the finish.
Edited to add: my HANS does not even have a date of manufacture on it, which throws further doubt on the validity of the 5 year thing.
Far more useful is the HANS user manual here: http://hansdevice.com/s.nl/sc.5/.f
This suggests that tethers are replaced after an accident and the device is inspected for delamination or any other damage.
They also say that the guidance on Snell helmets is they should be replaced evey 5 years. They suggest, that as the HANS uses similar composite technology, that users consider changing the HANS in a similar timescale. Then they say we recommend you change it afer an accident (contradicting the point about inspecting made earlier in the booklet). This is all buried on page 13 and the 5 year thing starts to feel like marketing, more so when you read that they do not carry spares for HANS over 3 years old.
I have had mine for several years and it looks exactly as it did the day I bought it. They are very, very stiff and it would take a hell of a whack to flex it to cause damage. It feels completely different to a helmet which is designed to deform and spread an impact. Drop a helmet and it is easy to believe it will be damaged as a result. Drop a HANS and you'll do little more than chip the finish.
Edited to add: my HANS does not even have a date of manufacture on it, which throws further doubt on the validity of the 5 year thing.
Edited by teamHOLDENracing on Saturday 19th January 10:47
teamHOLDENracing said:
That article is poorly written, inaccurate and in no way answers Iain's question.
And that's why I said 'might prove useful'. I don't expect to be flamed for making an honest effort to assist another PH'er. 
Anyway, Iain - having chatted with someone 'in the know' this morning, Andy does appear to be right. In addition to the information already provided, also see page eleven of the owners manual here:
http://hansdevice.com/app/site/media/sitemedia.nl/...
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