Bad news for GoPro

[JanePete]

Putting a camera on top of a helmet will take a given amount of force, say the helmet striking a tree or a rock outcropping, and focus the impact in a small area rather than spreading it out and cushioning the head by distributing the force and collapsing to absorb some of the impact, which is what helmets are supposed to do.

I've repeatedly addressed that.

With a camera on top, and assuming the camera received the brunt of the impact, the helmet will collapse quicker, and the camera can punch through the cushioning and impact the skull directly.

From what I've read recently, that appears to be what happened with Schuey... the camera took the brunt of the impact, and split the helmet apart, continuing through to impact the skull.

It's the difference between hitting a helmet with a board, and hitting it with a hammer.

However, that's not GoPro's fault, unless they also build a helmet mount and market it as safe.

 

[JanePete]

Dukhat wrote: don't blame your own (or in this case your father's) stupidity on the equipment manufacturer.

GoPro designs and manufactures Helmet Mounts. If he was using one of GoPros official Helmet Mounts, don't blame the user for something that they didn't design, didn't manufacture, and was used for its intended purpose.

From GoPro:

"Note: Always select a helmet that meets the applicable safety standard when you use with a GoPro helmet mount. Follow the helmet manufacturer's instructions on safe helmet use."

 

[Mike CH]

Because the way of attachment is less important than the way the mount and camera interact between impact surface and helmet. Especially in a straight, perpendicular strike.

Are not helmets designed to take impacts at different angles and from differently shaped obstacles, including objects "between impact surface and helmet?"

To a certain degree, surely. But you cannot safeguard against any and all things. The helmet will protect better against some things, and less well against other things.

Also, one could actually present a case where gluing would be worse, especially in a non-perpendicular strike. Ie. the camera and mount could be knocked off with enough force to damage the helmet due to the glue before the helmet even touches the impact surface.

Couldn't the same be said for any other obstacle "between imoact surface and helmet?"

Of course it can. And the helmet might conceivably offer less protection in that case.

Regards, Mike

 

[Mike CH]

From GoPro:

"Note: Always select a helmet that meets the applicable safety standard when you use with a GoPro helmet mount. Follow the helmet manufacturer's instructions on safe helmet use."

Interesting point.

Of course the conclusion is, that if you don't select that helmet and don't follow those instructions, then the combination of helmet and camera can be unsafe.

Which again means that it is possible for a camera to be an aggravating factor in an accident.

It can also mean that there actually is no safe helmet.

It would be more fun arguing with you if you didn't contradict yourself

Regards, Mike
--
Wait and see...

 

[antoineb]

Is it "bad news" for GoPro? Don't know.

It's true that many people mount their GoPros on top of their helmets. Which is obviously VERY dangerous: if a shock happens then the GoPro will act like a weapon attempting to break into the helmet. No helmet has been designed for this, that I know of.

The same can be said for other body parts of course: with a chest-mounted GoPro, if you fall flat on a hard surface then you risk serious injuries (broken ribs best case, internal wounds worst case) where you might have espaced unscathed had you not work a camera.

This is why some of GoPro's would be competitors, have designed cameras with a much thinner, pen-like shape, and to be work on the side of the head. Which obviously greatly reduces the risk.

Frankly in the age of Google Glasses it seems a bit ridiculous to be wearing such a large camera, and its protection box. And that's before I mention that the specs and user interface of the GoPro tend to be rather pathetic given the price.

Hopefully Michael's sad accident will serve as a warning.

Not many details our out yet, but Michael Schumacher (the race car driver) had a bad accident while skiing and his Son blames his GoPro camera. Apparently he has very bad head injuries, contusions and hemorrhaging. I find a crash is a crash regardless if there is a camera on a helmet, not to mention nobody forced him to use the GoPro, but im sure this will still gather attention. Link is HERE if you want to read it yourself.

--
"Run to the light, Carol Anne. Run as fast as you can!"

 

[JanePete]

Because the way of attachment is less important than the way the mount and camera interact between impact surface and helmet. Especially in a straight, perpendicular strike.

Are not helmets designed to take impacts at different angles and from differently shaped obstacles, including objects "between impact surface and helmet?"

To a certain degree, surely. But you cannot safeguard against any and all things. The helmet will protect better against some things, and less well against other things.

Also, one could actually present a case where gluing would be worse, especially in a non-perpendicular strike. Ie. the camera and mount could be knocked off with enough force to damage the helmet due to the glue before the helmet even touches the impact surface.

Couldn't the same be said for any other obstacle "between imoact surface and helmet?"

Of course it can. And the helmet might conceivably offer less protection in that case.

Which then means it is silly to blame the GoPro.

Regards, Mike

--
Wait and see...

 

[JanePete]

From GoPro:

"Note: Always select a helmet that meets the applicable safety standard when you use with a GoPro helmet mount. Follow the helmet manufacturer's instructions on safe helmet use."

Interesting point.

Of course the conclusion is, that if you don't select that helmet and don't follow those instructions, then the combination of helmet and camera can be unsafe.

Which again means that it is possible for a camera to be an aggravating factor in an accident.

It can also mean that there actually is no safe helmet.

It would be more fun arguing with you if you didn't contradict yourself

Please, try and act like an adult.

The only "conclusion" from a statement like that is that they need to cover their asses against people that make your kind of baseless argument and courts and governments that will foolishly agree.

Regards, Mike
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Wait and see...

 

[Mark B.]

Not many details our out yet, but Michael Schumacher (the race car driver) had a bad accident while skiing and his Son blames his GoPro camera. Apparently he has very bad head injuries, contusions and hemorrhaging. I find a crash is a crash regardless if there is a camera on a helmet, not to mention nobody forced him to use the GoPro, but im sure this will still gather attention. Link is HERE if you want to read it yourself.

 

[JanePete]

Is it "bad news" for GoPro? Don't know.

It's true that many people mount their GoPros on top of their helmets. Which is obviously VERY dangerous: if a shock happens then the GoPro will act like a weapon attempting to break into the helmet.

How is that any different to a piece of rock?

Ontario Gone, post: 54568512, member: 524177"]
Not many details our out yet, but Michael Schumacher (the race car driver) had a bad accident while skiing and his Son blames his GoPro camera. Apparently he has very bad head injuries, contusions and hemorrhaging. I find a crash is a crash regardless if there is a camera on a helmet, not to mention nobody forced him to use the GoPro, but im sure this will still gather attention. Link is HERE if you want to read it yourself.

--
"Run to the light, Carol Anne. Run as fast as you can!"

[/QUOTE]

 

[Mike CH]

Please, try and act like an adult.

Something with which you apparently have abundant experience, right?

Regards, Mike
--
Wait and see...

 

[JanePete]

Please, try and act like an adult.

Something with which you apparently have abundant experience, right?

Onviously, since I'm not the one questioning your intelligence, calling you names, and trying to convince others I'm not worth responding to.

Last post.

Regards, Mike
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Wait and see...

 

[Mike CH]

Onviously, since I'm not the one questioning your intelligence, calling you names, and trying to convince others I'm not worth responding to.

Last post.

Is that a promise?

You are getting really upset now, try and cool down a bit. Your tunnel vision might recede...

Regards, Mike
--
Wait and see...

 

[Just a Photographer]

Not many details our out yet, but Michael Schumacher (the race car driver) had a bad accident while skiing and his Son blames his GoPro camera. Apparently he has very bad head injuries, contusions and hemorrhaging. I find a crash is a crash regardless if there is a camera on a helmet, not to mention nobody forced him to use the GoPro, but im sure this will still gather attention. Link is HERE if you want to read it yourself.

 

[JanePete]

Not many details our out yet, but Michael Schumacher (the race car driver) had a bad accident while skiing and his Son blames his GoPro camera. Apparently he has very bad head injuries, contusions and hemorrhaging. I find a crash is a crash regardless if there is a camera on a helmet, not to mention nobody forced him to use the GoPro, but im sure this will still gather attention. Link is HERE if you want to read it yourself.

 

[philharris]

No such thing as "European law anyway, since Europe is not a country.

GoPro has nothing to fear here as the accident happened in the Alps. Just bad luck.

To be fair, GoPro is subject to the laws of the countries it does business in, as all companies are.

Actually there exists an enormous amount of European law.

Loading…

en.wikipedia.org

In some respects it is comparable to State versus Federal law.

 

[qaz111111]

The question is not whether the camera on his helmet contributed but rather did his skiing and risk taking while skiing change due to the camera on his helmet? If he was trying to get footage for the camera and made a mistake resulting in the fall then it was a judgmental error. So take this to his race car: If Schumacher crashed and there were cameras on his car were they a contributing factor? No... This has never been suggested before and cannot be alleged in this case . Only if the physical presence on his helmet contributed to the failure of the helmet's protection could a link be inferred. This has not been described. His head hitting rocks has.

 

[MikeFairbanks]

1. He is a race car driver and his son is questioning the safety of a helmet camera? Huh?

2. His father is sliding down snow and ice, on purpose, at a high rate of speed (with rocks and trees nearby) and he's questioning the safety of a helmet camera?

3. I can visit the nearest Target or Walmart and buy a skateboard, knives, rat poison or junk food, and he's questioning the safety of a camera?

I'm going to file a complaint that the rearview mirror on my car caused me to take my eyes off the road, leading to a crash. Makes about as much sense (actually makes more sense).

 

[antoineb]

Is it "bad news" for GoPro? Don't know.

It's true that many people mount their GoPros on top of their helmets. Which is obviously VERY dangerous: if a shock happens then the GoPro will act like a weapon attempting to break into the helmet.

How is that any different to a piece of rock?

Ontario Gone, post: 54568618"]
Not many details our out yet, but Michael Schumacher (the race car driver) had a bad accident while skiing and his Son blames his GoPro camera. Apparently he has very bad head injuries, contusions and hemorrhaging. I find a crash is a crash regardless if there is a camera on a helmet, not to mention nobody forced him to use the GoPro, but im sure this will still gather attention. Link is HERE if you want to read it yourself.

--
"Run to the light, Carol Anne. Run as fast as you can!"

[/QUOTE]

 

[JanePete]

Is it "bad news" for GoPro? Don't know.

It's true that many people mount their GoPros on top of their helmets. Which is obviously VERY dangerous: if a shock happens then the GoPro will act like a weapon attempting to break into the helmet.

How is that any different to a piece of rock?

Ontario Gone, post: 54569477, member: 524177"]
Not many details our out yet, but Michael Schumacher (the race car driver) had a bad accident while skiing and his Son blames his GoPro camera. Apparently he has very bad head injuries, contusions and hemorrhaging. I find a crash is a crash regardless if there is a camera on a helmet, not to mention nobody forced him to use the GoPro, but im sure this will still gather attention. Link is HERE if you want to read it yourself.

 

[Mike CH]

No such thing as "European law anyway, since Europe is not a country.

The expressions 'European law' and 'EU law' are used pretty interchangeably on this side of the pond, actually... Not that it is necessarily strictly, technically correct, but the meaning is pretty obvious.

Regards, Mike
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Wait and see...