Safe motorcycle helmets are essential Published April 28, 2010 By Rod Krause 5th Bomb Wing Ground Safety MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- As someone who loves to ride motorcycles, it's likely you've been in dangerous situations while on the road: drivers who get too close, highway traffic that boxes you in or bad weather that comes up on you suddenly. There are many situations where you can't completely control the road. You can help yourself stay safe by being prudent and cautious as you ride, but that isn't always enough. To make sure you're always protected, make sure you've got a high-quality safe motorcycle helmet. A safe motorcycle helmet is a great investment, because it's something you will use every time you ride. An investment designed to keep you both comfortable and safe. You may wonder how a helmet keeps you safe, and even think there's no point ... if you're thrown off, it's over. This isn't true, and a helmet can go a long way to saving your life. Modern helmets use foam layers, packed underneath the hard shell, to absorb shock waves on impact. This helps to prevent brain damage and has been shown to save lives. How can you find a safe motorcycle helmet? There are several different ways; some of which are things you can look out for and others you can do while you're shopping for your helmet. The first is the most simple. For any helmet you'd like to buy, look and make sure that it has a small white sticker that says DOT. This stands for the Department of Transportation and means it has met their minimum safety standards. Your next step will be choosing which type of helmet is right for you. There are several types of helmets qualifying as safe motorcycle helmets. However, some are safer than others. You should always go for at the least, a three quarter helmet, which covers your head and the sides of your face. Conversely, the safest helmet on the market is the full face helmet, which includes a face shield to protect you from wind, rain and road kick up. What style is the safe motorcycle helmet for you depends on which you find the most comfortable. The next step you'll need to take is actually trying on your helmets, to make sure they fit you well. There are many reasons fit is an important part of a safe motorcycle helmet. First, it's important for comfort, and if a helmet is uncomfortable, you may be tempted to leave it and home, leaving you completely exposed. It's also important because a good fit means proper cushioning, ensuring you are subjected to the least amount of shock should you be thrown from your bike. A good, safe motorcycle helmet is an important safety tool for every rider. If you don't have one, go and get one before riding again, following these tips. If your own helmet is old, or you know it has been damaged, it's also the time for a new helmet. You'll be able to ride knowing you're safe and secure. When you're a rider, it's easy to let your gear get out of date. But always make sure you have a safety motorcycle helmet.