Protection

TS I'll have mine at polo tonight if you want to try on for size, better than measuring.

#nottryingtogazump #alreadysold

Cheers, Sandy... I've got a massive head...

Just got my "special" shoes

First time clipless tonight.

these would take time attac cleats too yeah?

If it's the same fitting, which it looks like, then yes, I'd guess so

Ok, so I retract everything I ever said about an eye socket being able to take an impact from a mallet or ball.

Bidou was seriously hurt this weekend and fractured his eye socket causing blood to put pressure on the back of his eye, this is a very serious injury and could have easily been an exploded eyeball, he is unlikely to regain full sight in his eye.

I talked with the Primary Ambulance guys about it (they've done a few tournaments now) and they said that it's madness not to play with some sort of face protection when playing polo (they were also shocked to learn that the eye socket was fractured).

I find it fairly depressing to admit that I don't think any rule change (or similar) will be any kind of barrier to future incidents occurring. I think high sticking/leaning in/whatever has become commonplace and I think it's important that face cages become a standard piece of safety equipment for bike polo.

Scars/capped teeth are one thing, losing your sight is something else, shit.

fuck that sounds serious... how did it happen? what was the play that led to a mallet hitting his face?

think i might invest in the titanium grill ste's been using

£30<Eyesight

http://www.cricketspecialist.co.uk/product.php?id=142

http://www.owzat-cricket.co.uk/acatalog/Hero_Snr.html

Mind you £48 for the helmet and Ti grill seems like good deal compared to retro fitting to my Bern.....

Bloody Hell, that's terrible

It looked pretty bad in the Libertine last night. I didnt want to ask him more about it.

Hearing things like this make me glad I have a facecage.
The sweat is annoying but so what. Better to be sweaty than blind.

think I might do what Todd did with his helmet and a reversed cricket grill on my BMX helmet. It looked pretty neat. How are you finding it Todd? with regard to vision etc?

You don't have an epic protective beard though.

That's the only reason I haven't yet

Oh no, really sorry to hear this. Hope he's ok.
Good of you to admit your retraction Jono.

I attached a bauer grill (£4 ebay) to a catlike diablo (£20 amazon) and used the bauer fixtures (£5) and I'm loving it.

Really hope he heals well. :(

true but Id much prefer a visor that gives my eyes and nose protection instead of a full face cage. Also, those cricket visors, fitted normally dont totally protect your eyes

Oh no, really sorry to hear this. Hope he's ok.
Good of you to admit your retraction Jono.

I attached a bauer grill (£4 ebay) to a catlike diablo (£20 amazon) and used the bauer fixtures (£5) and I'm loving it.

Really hope he heals well. :(

could you post a pic of it, please

Fair enough Ben, personal choice but I thought you may as well protect your chin from a back swing coming up at you as well.

Will take some pics tonight Rik.

I posed for some for Hells Belles with it on but I'm hoping they don't come out on the internet...

sounds horrible. Hoping for a full recovery...

I'm so pleased I got a cage now. We played bordeaux last week and one player wore his cage all weekend except for one throw in. And guess what happened!
After Saturday's incident, I would fully recommend protecting yourself.

I'll also add that the 2 players involved with the incident were both experienced players who have been playing for a good while.
The risk is in your own hands here.

Lot's of people play without cages and have avoided hits to the face so far...

My helmet works for me. Wicksie's helmet is really good too.

I took a huge hit to my forefinger (mallet hand) too and can't use it today and am now looking back into protective gloves...

Interested to see that set up Wicksie.

Bit late, but have you still got that helmet snoops? Just wanted to check before I order myself one.

Yep still got it...pm

Pictures of my set up. Sorry for crappy pics.

I bought a catlike diablo for £20 (from Amazon but they're £36 now) as I wanted a lot of vents. I got a bauer face cage from eBay for £4, and the bolts from Puck Stop (helmet screw and round post for the front and the dome and round post for the strap)

I did buy some j clips for extra stability but there's no room to put them on (swap for beer if anyone wants).

The helmet is light and the cage doesn't drag it down. It's really comfortable but the cage does sit against my chin which I guess will take the impact of any hard strike. The bauers must do this to some extent and I'm sure the cage will take most of it.

Crumb mentioned that he'd heard it's better to burn a hole rather than drill, but I can't see how you could do this with precision. I drilled mine and the cage is really sturdy.
Love it.

Great job, Joni...