Play Defensively. Choose a CSA-certified hockey helmet
When worn properly, a helmet certified by CSA International can help protect against serious head injuries. Since the Canadian Standards Association first published standards for face protectors and visors for hockey players, the number of reported eye injuries has dropped from about 290 per year, to less than 10 today.
- Make it a great fit! Choose a helmet that fits snugly to prevent any shifting.
- Carefully follow the manufacture’s instructions to make sure your helmet fits comfortably.
- All helmets should have the manufacturer’s identification number, model, size and a permanent warning on the outside of the helmet, detailing the limits of its protection.
- Try your helmet on and make sure the chin strap gently makes contact under your chin. Remember, always fasten the strap when you’re playing hockey.
- Did you know that hockey helmets are intended to help reduce the risk of serious injury to your skull and brain? Always look for the CSA mark. That way you’ll know your helmet meets the requirements of Canada’s only national standard for hockey helmets.
"And no wonder," says Dr. Pat Bishop, professor emeritus of kinesiology at the University of Waterloo and Chairman of the CSA committee that sets standards for hockey helmets. "Since the introduction of the CSA standard for hockey helmets in 1973, the frequency of severe focal injuries has been drastically reduced and I haven't heard of any deaths being reported for any player wearing a CSA-certified helmet."
