How do cave divers really feel about helmets?

Many cave divers - including many self-proclaimed "Elite" cave divers - have told us repeatedly to stop wearing our helmets when cave diving. They think that any cave diver who "needs to wear a helmet shouldn't be cave diving at all". They will not wear a helmet and feel disgusted by anyone who does.
So we wore our helmets to the largest Scuba conference dedicated to professionals in the industry to find out what cave divers attending the event thought about helmets.
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[@BlueWorldTV]

I actually was not expecting so many cave divers to say they don't wear helmets.

[@DIVETALK]

Yeah it was interesting to hear that we’re pretty much a minority 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@stevedenruyter4902]

I was, because most of us old school see it as a tool when needed. If you don’t need it why bring it with you. I loved the way Patrick was explaining it. And for sure when I saw Dorota I knew she was going to say no. But if needed bring it. If you want to have it and don’t f*ck up like Patrick stated, who cares

[@stevedenruyter4902]

@@DIVETALKthere is a big difference between people who trained till 2010 ish and those who are trained after 2015 ish. Also depending the agency. I see it as a tool when needed. But I also think there is a lot of benefits having it on.

[@flyinghigh370]

Me either

[@tonymorris4335]

Yea, it's a fine line though. I was EOD in the military and a lot of guys would end up getting comfortable with it and not wear the suit because it's cumbersome and heavy and will only save you from small explosions and frag. But, even that small % of risk that you make a mistake and hit your head or in our case, it IS a small ordnance item that detonates when you're down range it's the difference between life or death. I don't want to imply you should wear a helmet, but I think it's probably usually safer to do so than not. If it's an open cave with few restrictions the helmet shouldn't really impair you much and if it's a tight cave where the helmet makes it hard to clear restrictions it's probably smart to have since your head is near rocks a lot. I think the key would be making a better helmet for cave diving. You don't need super high impact resistance, you just need a tough skin to help prevent skin injury on rocks. A flexible helmet that fits the head snugly would probably be fine.@@stevedenruyter4902

[@tbakken14]

Asking Ed if he's a cave diver is hilarious

[@ChattahoocheeRiverRat]

I got knocked colder than a cucumber underwater in a cave trying to follow the guideline out in a silt out. Thankfully my regulator stayed in. I lost the line, and started banging on my tank to indicate I was in trouble. The reel man found me and got me back on the line. If he hadn't done that I might not have been here to write this comment today. After that I thought a helmet might be a good idea.

[@Phage0070]

It seems crazy to me that someone would be swimming around in zero visibility, or potentially in a current, around lots of rocks and not wear a helmet. Of course you "shouldn't need" a helmet but even dry cavers aren't planning to bash their head against stuff. I suspect even dry cavers aren't regularly taking significant hits on their helmet yet everyone knows they are a must. Yet with diving it is so much more important to be 100% in control at all times; you can't recover from a couple second blackout and mild concussion like on land.

[@PKNEXUS]

A helmet while cave diving seems like a very reasonable thing to wear, especially with a DPV.

[@pierrekinbrand]

As lights have gotten better, for the caves we dive (which includes DPV), which are less restricted, helmets are unnecessary.

[@humanityeliteschool9407]

Para bailar La Bamba Para bailar La Bamba@@pierrekinbrand

[@BIGxPAPAxRYAN]

​@@pierrekinbranduntil a chunk of the ceiling falls off and smacks you

[@pierrekinbrand]

@BIGxPAPAxRYAN I think the disadvantages associated with a helmet overall do not balance the chance of that happening out. I don't have experience in many different cave environments but the local caves here have extremely strong ceilings. Many of them are flooded Mines that literally have no shoring at all, i.e. the original miners didn't even put up any kind of support for the ceiling because it's solid rock.

[@BIGxPAPAxRYAN]

@@pierrekinbrand to each their own I hope you won't need it

[@bloodredroses88]

Feels like when seatbelts were invented, and people thought you were a bad driver for wearing one, because you shouldn't crash.

[@JPINFV]

That's like that with all safety devices. You don't need it... until you do. I went 20+ years without needing to wear a seat belt... but the one trip that I needed to wear a seat belt... I was very happy to have one on. NASCAR drivers were, by and large, against HANS devices... and then Dale Earnhardt died from the exact injury that HANS devices were made to prevent... and now it's standard equipment. If a dive's risk profile includes a chance of head injury, then it's more than reasonable to wear a safety device that protects against head injuries.

[@teijaflink2226]

That's way too much confidence because people crash all the time even when they think they are too good to crash. But even if you always do everything perfectly things can happen, some drunk idiot could crash your car or a rock could fall on your head when you're caving.

[@sabinedeixler2637]

Local bus driver asked me a few months ago if he was so bad at driving. I didn't get his question. He explained that I've been the first passenger using the seat belt in his mini bus. I told him his driving was fine, but I'd rather not take any chances...

[@cristiplopeanu]

Pink helmets have +3 protection, everyone knows this.

[@lawrencedm3399]

Woody is such a big kid. I love that guy.

[@kazzmatic22]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 -HEY EDD!! ARE U A CAVE DIVER?? LOL 😂 😂

[@SemSpad]

Hey Neil, are you a pilot?

[@epicthief]

Helmet in diving is like a Helmet for biking, boarding, or most sports. It saves your life but bust ups your vibe

[@000claw]

Im VERY surprised how resounding of a "I dont think theyre necessary/I dont wear one" this was. Props to putting this out there, its a great video and conversation! I think the stigma that Cristina talked about might be a larger part of this conversation than it seems. The idea of "safety is only if youre bad" resonates alot within the skating community, you rarely see them with helmets because "They throw off balance" or "I just wont fall" mentality and youre viewed as worse/more of a rookie for thinking you could fail. It seems like in such a safety driven activity that the majority would want the extra precautions. If you applied this to nearly any other safety protocol within cave diving it would sound ridiculous. "I dont need a line if I dont get lost", "Why would I need an emergency tank? I'll just watch my gauges, the extra weight/space will just go to waste", "Why tell someone where Im going, Ill be back soon anyways", etc. You never need safety until you do. I really cant see how something thats adding maybe an inch to your head is such a hindrance. The best point I heard was not being able to communicate as effectively/maintain buddy line of sight due to mounted head lights. The only other argument that I can see it being a problem is in EXTREAME circumstances like Ed Sorenson where you have to squeeze through very tight passes.

[@outdoored.ccydecker4746]

Some people might think that Woodie is a little weird or sometimes too much but personally, I think he is just right!

[@JavierBriz]

| Edd Sorenson "Hey Edd, Are you a cave diver?" I AM

[@abaDive]

I remember Patrick having strong feelings about helmet for cave diving in speaking sidemount podcast episode 12 or 13 🙂 jokes aside people thinking less of others for any gear selection are the kind of people that won't change their minds on anything whatever argument thrown at them.

[@blakepetersdiving]

With the school of thought that you don’t need a helmet because you shouldn’t hit your head then you shouldn’t carry any redundant equipment or extra air because you should never need a back up or extra air. You know where I stand on helmets.

[@Yggdrasil42]

Well the impact is quite different though. Bumping your head vs having no air to breathe.

[@James-dc3yt]

@@Yggdrasil42 "bumping your head" could mean going unconscious in some situations.

[@Yggdrasil42]

@@James-dc3yt Yes, when scootering. But when finning? I doubt it. To be clear, I like wearing my helmet to clip lights to when I'm working reels but I don't consider it essential, like redundant gas or lights. The comparison is what I was responding to.

[@ELCAM1]

Unless scootering a normal hood protects against scrapes and cuts..you simply aren’t moving that fast.

[@blairmccormick8760]

Good day, Gus and Woody. I'm starting my open water course at the start of the new years thanks to encouraging videos you two put out and I'd love to see full run down of what you guys run on your open circuit setups and reasons behind ways its setup thanks.

[@SilveniumTheDrifter]

Loved the humorous and lighthearted take on the question session. AND THE PINK HELMET!

[@youtubeconnollyfamily]

I always get a big smile on my face when you guys put out a new video. Just watching your videos makes me want to go take a training course in scuba diving.

[@YukonSeanHolland]

Thanks fellas for those great and fun interviews!

[@Kittieku]

Great video. You guys are hilarious. Helmets for everyone lol. Thank you Gus and Woody 🥰♥️

[@robin2648]

Wear a helmet for protection all you want, but i can understand the guy arguing that mounting lights on a helmet could blind your buddy. That would be something you and your buddy need to be okay with.

[@albertamato7620]

And there I thought you were going to use the helmets as protection when you ask about split fins!😂 That was a fun video, thanks. Nice to see Chris from D6 was at the show! He has a great sense of humour for sure.

[@HottMorgan]

Last guy was so silly haha. Love the video overall! Fun and informative!!

[@ScubaGirlsInternational]

As I drill the holes in a helmet.

[@ScubaGirlsInternational]

@@Navy1977 if you're able to reach to drill while wearing it, that's talent! And long arms! 🤭

[@ScubaGirlsInternational]

@@Navy1977 oh goodness 🤣

[@floraneternalself782]

It is simply always good to see you guys!

[@chris-hu7tm]

Seems like the general consensus is no helmet and I get the feeling that they are holding back a bit on why they don't like helmets

[@robrudman8037]

Would you wear gloves on a regular dive? - No, because you feel a little invincible and forget that your Instructor told you not to touch anything. Would you wear gloves diving a 40m, rusty wreck with super-sexy surge? - Yes, self explanatory. Never owned a dive hat before though...

[@muellermaxwell]

I just love edd, a true example of a great man.

[@humanityeliteschool9407]

100%

[@wondertyzipp8260]

Edd is one of my favourite cave divers of all time 😊

[@CuddlyJay]

Great video! Loved seeing all the opinions from the diving community about helmets while diving

[@ron2106]

WOODY AND GUS! Love you both! Woody is hilarious and Gus comes in with the rationale and seriousness. Its a great balance!

[@joemo1033]

Must be crazy to be a diver at that convention with Edd...knowing "This guy might have to rescue/recover me some day..."

[@blyatmeister5370]

Wow Gus, you are looking great man, just binged a bunch of older videos and you have lost so much weight, as another previously heavy person it inspires me to keep pushing towards my physical goals.

[@Yggdrasil42]

I'm with Patrick Widdman. Wearing a helmet is fine, just don't keep your light clipped to it all the time. In tight restrictions or when working spools/reels, sure I love freeing my hands, but keep your light in your hand during normal operations so you're ready to signal clearly and you can share a long hose promptly.

[@MrArrmageddon]

Great video! I loved it. Seems logical overall it seems most people at least accept it if others want too.

[@jennhrbn2470]

Omg so cool to see Edd ❤

[@craigwin3685]

Guys, I’m sitting in Tulum right now on day four into Cavern and Intro. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@brandonjones952]

Im not a diver but i really liked this video its a fun way to learn peoples opinion

[@prycenewberg3976]

I love the variety of opinions in this video. It was great.

[@EJFXxx]

Woody wearing that helmet reminds me when Sienfeld played chess with himself ...

[@toadou8127]

Best Answer: @ 08:04 ..."You do You"..."I'm not going to judge you"...

[@Wormhole-Bar-Concert-Venue]

thanks for telling me about DEMA! im getting my ticket to vegas now! (im also going to vegas next month for the bar & retaurant convention!)

[@elysedonnelly6767]

To be honest I was suprised that so many like it for equipment, but don't seem to think about how it can aid in protecting your head. Even small cuts on your head bleed a lot. Will it stop your dive getting a bump? probably not lol, but why get a bruise or cuts if you don't have too? Don't have to wear it if you don't want too, just really surprised that the fact helmets are usually a safety item wasn't really what was spoken about at all, just equipment use. interesting truly.

[@jordi95]

We have the same problem in the climbing comunity, people don't wear helmets, because "they are annoying" , I had plenty of rocks fall on my head already, none big enough to produce a big injury, but I would have needed some stitches if it wasn't for my helmet.

[@thePyiott]

Its a problem with any activity really. People dont wear helmets cycling because they think theyre not going to go faster than they can control. Yet they wont hesitate to go 40+ km/h down a hill or ride the shoulder of a road with heavy traffic.

[@Madeyes6]

At the end of the day it’s personal to the diver. We take lots of kit “just in case” something fails or goes wrong. Why is a helmet any different? However I wouldn’t wear Woody’s helmet. I wear a hard hat for work as I work under trains & having a hat with a peak causes more head knocks than anything else. It limits your upwards vision & people with larger peaks regularly hit their heads. These aren’t big peaks either. They’re like woodys. This would be especially an issue when In a horizontal position & having to look up all the time.

[@killerwill]

i like how patrick answered the question then expanded on it

[@notroublesjustbubbles2307]

Motorcyclists wear helmets, hoping never to need them. You guys go ahead and wear what you like!

[@trevorcraig2824]

People get on woody about the pink, but Ive heard from the son of Les stroud "survivor man" that pink is a better safety signaling color because some people are colorblind, like the son is, and seeing pink is much easier than orange. So not only is it a fashion statement but it possibly makes it easier and safer for others to spot each other!

[@kazzmatic22]

OMG! GUS YOU LOOK AMAZING !! WOOOHOOO!!! 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪LIKE ALWAYS AMAZING VIDEO 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗AND WOODY LIKE ALWAYS BRINGING SMILE ON MY FACE 🤗🤗

[@dlabor1965]

I watched an old video of you guys and I was about to call the cave police 'cause you weren't wearing helmets! Woody's rule about helmets is simple as this: If it's pink, must have!

[@toriedwards126]

Yes! Loved this! See, it should be a personal choice and totally up to the diver, anyone who judges someone for making themselves feel safer is just stupid. Was just as happy listening to peoples sensible reasons as to why the don't feel as comfortable wearing one with the group diving etc..

[@michaelczolko6093]

I love this episode of DIVE THOUGTH

[@gtfkt]

Hey Gus, I just switched to a year and a half old video after watching this one and I must admit, I kinda got used to seeing you thin on video. Before and after is like night and day, you must feel so much better now.

[@kenmh7357]

Thats a fun one good job! But Woody you need lighten up bro!

[@maxdiver9038]

Interestingly nobody in the video mentioned a zero vis scenario we all been trained on, you need a helmet at least for that, you bump your had when you see nothing. Other one inflator mulfunction and you have been pushed fast to the ceiling and splitting your scull with a stalactite. In my observation In Mexico most divers wear a helmet.

[@BlueWorldTV]

Gayle's answer was the best. It messes up her hair.

[@meshamybelle]

If I did cave diving I’d want a helmet because I’d be the one who had to be removed from the cave with my head split open thus ruining everyone’s dive. The 3rd fellow does make an excellent point about it interfering with signaling and also making you potentially less aware of some things.

[@gotahgemini6415]

I like both of your helmets - both colors are pretty!

[@LodgeMan2011]

Just realized Vinnie 2 tanks was in this video!

[@Ashley__Rose]

I looove how Woody wears pink 🩷

[@wadewilson-xi1zs]

The goat Ed Sorensen!

[@mikeygomikey]

Only time Woody and Spare Air agree. 😅

[@stevedenruyter4902]

Loved the video

[@debraticehurst2583]

I love your choice of colour woody,,,,

[@alexandermiller6317]

This video reminds me of the flight suit debate in agricultural aviation. Pretty much everyone agrees on wearing a helmet. But not everyone agrees on wearing a flight suit and both sides have their reasons.

[@BIGxPAPAxRYAN]

I dry cave with no helmet because I like my hat too much but I wouldn't be caught dead cavediving or even cavern diving without a helmet😂😂

[@ts440s]

Sounds like if they weren't wearing helmets, nobody would say to wear a helmet. Note taken about its a safety hazard due to lack of attention on other diver due to having to avoid looking at each other because you would cause flash blindness.

[@DIVETALK]

You don't have to put a light on the helmet...you can just wear a helmet for protection or because you want to...it's okay.

[@AngusMurray]

Makes complete sense to wear a helmet!

[@Ashley__Rose]

More interviews with Edd!!!! 🙏🏻

[@MikeDodds]

As I’m not a cave diver, (yet!!!), I only wear a helmet when I’m licking windows!!!! 😂

[@thesteelcitycowboy]

I am sure there are more pro/elite cave divers that don't wear helmets than do. Just as in downhill mountain biking there are more pro/elite riders that wear as little protection as they can get away with, but they are pros and have a super high level of skill. I can see the argument that you shouldn't be bumping your head because you should have excellent buoyancy as a cave diver is valid. But also if you want to wear a helmet because it makes you feel safer and that in turn makes you a better/safer diver and you enjoy your dive more then WEAR THE HELMET. It is YOUR choice and other people should not have a say in what makes you happy.

[@joshisajedi2461]

The ending statement of the video sums it up perfectly. Do what you want, who cares?

[@TheButterZone]

Spare Air confrontation LOL

[@t.kalaea]

Ed, you never age and you look jacked

[@flyinghigh370]

Gus, what brand helmet do you have?

[@DIVETALK]

Black Diamond Half Dome

[@t.kalaea]

Edd!

[@Ms..B]

I need a helmet to walk into my bathroom and I have lived here 25 year, I would defiantly wear one in a cave.

[@Ladaria_VoD]

We need a control question of who would wear a helmet on a motorcycle

[@peregrination3643]

Pretty bad when a guy is quick to clarify that wearing a pink helmet can't be okay in the same country he's diving in 😂

[@dirkrosemann1123]

Great job and channel, always good for a surprise. Helmet Yes or no, whatever you like.

[@hellcatt488]

... So they think that they can't hit their head if they're swimming? Like there aren't any obstacles that might be bumped into?.... Wear a helmet, your dive buddy doesn't want to swim in your blood from the gash in your head 😂 lol

[@LoveCaveDiving]

Love my helmet! 😁

[@wj2036]

This is probabaly an unpopular question to ask, but to the people that dont wear a helmet: If you hit your head and have a problem, whether you're just bleeding or completley unconscious, do you expect your buddy who did wear a helmet to help you? If yes, then you should probabaly just wear a helmet 🤷‍♂️

[@mirandahotspring4019]

I thought helmets in a cave dive were pretty much normal kit! We use them to mount the lights on! But what I'd do to Woody's helmet is put it on a grinder and take the brim off! (And paint it another colour!)

[@Hratings]

Spent 11 years working on submarines, not the same but still a very tight place. With a hard hat on I hit my head 99% more often.... without my hard hat I rarely hit my head. ***but*** 1 hurts and 1 doesn't lol

[@YouTube_user3333]

Cave diving helmets are in the same boat as snorkels. Great for the rest of us to laugh at, while on surface interval. 😂

[@yksikaksikolmen]

That pink helemet are a construction helmet . Carpenter helmet

[@billybuttons4298]

What brand is your helmet Gus?

[@DIVETALK]

Black Diamond Half Dome

[@ELCAM1]

To each there own… I do like the light discipline reasoning…sweeping your teammates face with your light is not ok…with lights on your helmet you better have the awareness and discipline to not do that.

[@allanswaterlife6640]

Hi all, I've been away with work for a while and I'm just wondering where has guss gone, the dude sounds like guss but he has definitely shrunk a little

[@tiguaak]

helmets seem easier to hold lights and they look cooler

[@Vindolin]

What about underwater scooter seat belts?

[@charltonrusty9630]

was interesting. i think those that say no havnt hit their head yet lol. interesting how alot speak about it more as a tool than safety.

[@stuartfleming]

I'd like to see a proper vid on Yuri Lipski, in more detail, all the last vid explained is "hes narced out his mind bro"

[@theasylist2913]

Why not make a helmet with a light that has a wireless on an off switch that you can put on your harness or on your wrist or something to where you can press it and turn it off and press just an idea I mean I'm not a cave diver nor a diver nor even a cave explorer but it's just an idea I had

[@oohitzmario]

@2:00 even the person who I was sold on being the anti helmet aggressive guy is like do what you want who gives a f*** 😂😂where are all these angry anti helmet users or are they only in the comments 👀

[@RM-pg4js]

Whats up with the everyday pink..uff..someone told him he looks cool?😮

[@boblob3509]

I put on a helmet as soon as I wake up

[@thePyiott]

I wear a helmet when I watch cave diving videos

[@Pnwdive]

I say yes on the helmet

[@deltalima6703]

Pointless trash would be my guess. I am sure kicking your dive partner never happens, but getting your dumb helmet stuck in a restriction does.

[@rag3geCKo]

"Hard hat"