Monday, July 1, 2013

Basics About Head And Neck Restraints

By Stacey Massey


Head and neck restraints are equipment used in car racing and other similar activities. They are applied to minimize or reduce injuries caused to the neck and the head in case of an accident. The main type of injury that they offer protection from is basilar skull fracture. The name is often shortened as HANS, and are at times called restraints or simply head and neck support appliances.

They are made up of different parts, which perform various functions when protecting the body. The key parts are shoulder support, helmet anchor, and tether among others. Helmet tethers and anchors and are put on either sides. Helmet tethers are attached onto the helmets to retain them in place in the event of an accident. There are additional connection devices, which help attach the HANs system to other appliances used for the purpose of safety.

The devices are made of carbon fiber, in a letter U shape. The backside of that U shape lies on the napes of necks whereas the arms lay along the chests. The device derives support from both shoulders. Extra support comes from stomach protecting gadgets and the helmet. It is never connected to the seat, car, the body of its driver or safety belt.

Seat belts must to go across the chest over the HANs gear. HANs are attached in the front side around the stomach hence supported by the bodies of wearers and not the seats or the car. It is made such that it cannot detach irrespective of amount of force it is exposed to.

The HAN systems serve major purposes in all cases they are applied. They are designed to limit movement of the neck in order to prevent the skull from traveling forward so fast if a crash takes place. When the velocity of the head is reduced, the force with which it hits onto the parts of a car in front is reduced, thus reducing injuries suffered.

Basically, it decelerates and maintains the position of the skull in relation to the body. In so doing, the energy from the impact is transferred to much stronger body parts like the torso, shoulders, and chest. Some energy is diverted to the seat and the seatbelt. In most racing sports, it is mandatory for participants to wear these devices in order to participate. Failure to wear them is against the laws and may lead to disqualification.

The appliance is made safe to the user who puts it on by installing efficient insulation materials. The materials are intended to prevent and absorb shock from the wearer. The padding is made in form of many layers of insulators that are fitted on the interior part of the gadget. The equipment is then made of extremely strong material on the exterior part to stop it from breaking in case of an impact.

There are different makes of head and neck restraints. These devices may be bought from any shop that sells safety wears for racing automobiles. They are quite inexpensive as a result of advanced production technology and increased competition among manufacturers.




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