HANS mandating in NASA??

#1

I heard that BMWCCA is going to mandate the use of head restraints this season. There’s a nasty rumor that NASA will follow suit. Any word?

-Vic
SO #325

#2

IMHO that’s a great rumor.

#3

I agree that it’s a good thing. After using one I would now hate to go out without one. I’m assuming that this would only be for the race groups, though? Requiring $1k neck braces for HPDE would pretty much kill the program, I would guess.

#4

The NASA 2006 CCR’s do not mandate a HANS for either Racers or HPDE, but I wouldn’t race without one

brain

#5

See this thread. http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=5791&start=45
It includes a statement by Jerry Kunzman of NASA.
There is also an interesting video there showing some recent tests of the isaac device vs. a hans device in an offset impact, which I would imagine is more likely than a head on impact.

cheers,
bruce

#6

That sled video you’re referring to has been driving me nuts for a few days for a couple reasons:

  1. Isaac Device’s website is very bullish about how they make the "superior" device, but they haven’t received FIA or SFI certification yet.
  2. HANS Device’s website clearly states that "a properly installed HANS device will not slip out from under the harness".

I would really appreciate a statement from HANS in response to the video. www.headrestraint.org doesn’t have anything on the HANS system because they only use factory-provided statements on each system, and HANS has not responded to their request for info.

#7

I wear a HANS and find it hard to believe that the device would slip out from under properly tightened belts attacted to properly spaced attachment points

brain

#8

Yeah, I always re-tighten my harnesses during each session because I haven’t been using the HANS very long, so I’m paranoid about the belts moving around on the device.
Did you see that video clip?

#9

I’m getting prepared to buy my first H+N device and that video was enough to get me to look at the Isaac, but in the end I feel much more comfortable purchasing the HANS Device because:

  1. Although the video is dramatic, the test results show that the HANS performs almost as well as the Isaac as a best case, and not poorly enough to be considered ineffective even if it’s loose.

  2. I HATE the idea of having something besides the belts tether me to the car–the Isaac scares me becasue it ties your head to your harness and unhooking it may be unfamiliar to corner workers.

  3. I would rather have something "low-tech," yet effective, protecting me. I don’t like that the more advanced Isaac models have shock absorber mechanisms that could fail.

  4. The HANS has been thoroughly tested and heavily used by guys carrying lots more speed that I ever will, with great results.

  5. The HANS is certified.

How do those of you who wear the HANS feel your head mobility is with the device on?

Sasha

#10

The first time I put on my HANS for a race it did feel alittle weird. Fortunately for me as a Navy F-18 pilot with all the survival / safety equipment I have to fly with, I was familiar with the sensation. I knew from experience that after a time, what at first feels awkward and constraining quickly becomes comfortable and second nature.

This is exactly how I felt wearing my HANS. The first time I strapped in and realized that I could not turn my head more than about 40 degrees left or right…it worried me. But, after racing with it I found that the limited head mobility was NOT a problem. In fact, during races I forgot I had it on. I was 100% comfortable wearing the HANS after only one weekend of driving . I did however purchase panoramic racing mirrors. This is the solution for keeping tabs on who’s around you while your head is looking forward.

Other H & N devices are on the market but the one the "Pros" use (F-1, CART, Formula Atlantic, SCCA speed touring etc, etc) use the HANS. F-1 teams have UNLIMITED budgets. If a better device was out there, they’d buy it.

The HANS costs about $800 - $1000 +/- depending on who sells it. Not cheap, but a little more than a set of shaved tires that’ll last for ½ a season. HANS is carbon fiber and it lasts forever.

Bottom line: I drove the entire 2005 with my HANS and love the safety margin it provides. It’s comfortable, its easy, its low tech, and it works. I wouldn’t race without it.

Hope this helps
brain

Post edited by: brain, at: 2005/12/20 20:20

Post edited by: brain, at: 2005/12/20 20:23

#11

I second everything Brain said.

I felt real claustrophobia the first time I put it on, but when I got out on track that wonderful "this isn’t so bad" sensation came over me, and I’ve been fine with it ever since.

#12

The only constraint I noticed pertained to driving around in the paddock. Once on the track, you won’t even notice it.
Rob

#13

I had a choice a few months ago. A new suit or a HANS. I chose to keep wearing my faded red (now ugly orange) suit and to protect my noggin.

Carter

Ugly Suit Award Winner

#14

Carter,

The correct adjective is "Salty". Your faded old orange/pink suit looks great and it’s condition shows all the newby’s like me that you’ve been at this for a while

brain

#15

Brain:

I do like "salty," especially when it comes from a guy who spends alot of time on the ocean in a big boat…like an aircraft carrier.

"Talk to me Goose"

Carter

#16

I just noticed that an updated version of the CCRs was released on 1/26/06 - they changed the earliest date of possibly mandating a head and neck restraint to be Jan 1, 2007. Also, they removed the section in Appendix D that listed all of the HNR’s on the market and called them "approved". Now there are just statements that if one is mandated it will likely need SFI 38.1 approval.
cheers,
bruce

#17

leggwork wrote:

[quote] Also, they removed the section in Appendix D that listed all of the HNR’s on the market and called them "approved". Now there are just statements that if one is mandated it will likely need SFI 38.1 approval.
cheers,
bruce[/quote]
Sounds like a lawyer-induced change.