Helmets

[Iestyn Rhys Pritchard]

I'm looking to buy some caving stuff. I have two Cascade water rescue helmets
( http://www.rescuetech1.com/cascadewaterrescuehelmet.aspx )
are they suitable for caving, or do I need a climbing helmet?
Thanks!

[Danny Sutton]

from a helmet point of view, all it has to do is protect your head from bumps and scrapes, cos if anything large drops on you, a helmet isnt going to do a whole lot.

the isue you may have with the helmet youve posted is A- mounting a lamp to it

and B- if it's full of polystyrene, your head will sweat like you wouldnt beleive.

[Iestyn Rhys Pritchard]

Great, thanks! I'll see how it goes with what I've got and keep an eye out for something better.

[Danny Sutton]

you can a good second hand helmet for £10

[Iestyn Rhys Pritchard]

brilliant. i'll keep checking ebay!

[Doug Thompson]

[quote="Iestyn999" post=12056]brilliant. i'll keep checking ebay![/quote]

We can always lend you a helmet until you find one, I have a spare one if the club ones are already out.
Hello by the way, and welcome.
  :cheer:

[Iestyn Rhys Pritchard]

awesome, thanks guys!

[John Nicholson]

I keep several spare helmets in my truck.  Most have lights fitted, but not the most expensive ones.

[Robin Jones]

Iestyn, As I'm a new member too, I thought I'd give you an idea of what I've bought so far and how much it costs (mostly on the advice of more experienced club members)

2nd hand helmet £8

B&Q overalls £17 (overalls wear and rip very quickly so I'm looking for a caving suit. Myself, Richard S & John N were talking of taking a trip to Inglesports in Yorkshire to buy new gear, you and anyone else would be welcome to join us)

B&Q Wellies £11

B&Q electricians gloves £3

Energiser head torch (from tesco) best waiting for a special offer when they're £5 and get two so you've got a spare (batteries included and they last for ages)

Thermal underwear £9 from Aldi when they've got a special offer on. (I just wear thermals under my overalls so I don't overheat too much)

This is all you'll need to get underground and you can replace the items above over time with better quality ones.  The 1st few trips with UCET I borrowed a helmet until I bought my own.

Hope this helps  :silly:

[Danny Sutton]

Good advice from sweetie there, i was going to post and say you would be better off with this or that or the other, but then i remembered my first trip..

i had a £3 head light and a whooly hat lol..

the only thing i will add, and i think is the 3rd most important bit of kit only been beeten by the helmet and light is neoprene socks, it compleatly changed my underground experance, to the point i was thinking of selling my gear and giving up caving/mine mooching, the neoprene socks are awesome

[John Nicholson]

Gosh Sweetie - you have now spilled all your secrets.

You must have done a lot of research to optimise your budget caving kit.

Having bitten the bullet and bought a proper suit I must say that they do give me a lot of extra confidence, because they seem to help me slide through tight holes and make a lovely noise whilst slipping. It is sort of saying 'you are making progress'.

I do think the design could be improved, I find them a bit tight across the chest and I would like to experiment with fitting a belt inside the suit with reinforced holes each side of the Zip, to take a 'D' ring for use as a belay point.  Does anyone in the club have a powerful sewing machine?

[Robin Jones]

I might have to invest in some of those Dan  B)

[Robin Jones]

[quote="JohnNicholson" post=12099]Gosh Sweetie - you have now spilled all your secrets.[/quote]

It's probably my cheapest hobby in terms of making do with £3 bits n pieces. I will be investing in a caving suit soon though!

[Danny Sutton]

[quote="Sweetie" post=12100]I might have to invest in some of those Dan  B)[/quote]

ive got a couple of pairs, both of ebay for under £5

i dont mind getting wet, but once your wellies breach and you end up up to your knees in water, i struggle to walk my ankles and knees just seize up and and feel like they are having nails driven into them. the neoprene socks fixed my ankles, the caving undersuit fixed my knees.

think mine were caused by years of riding a motorbike all year round

[John Nicholson]

By the way....
I visited your Sweetie Shop yesterday, unfortunately you were not there.  The young girl who was serving could not have been more helpful.  I soon spotted those lovely lip red lossenges, but still can't remember their name.  She made up a brilliant assorted concoction of glories which I hope will give much pleasure.