The challenges of the new helmet for children building towers

Since 2006, the enxanetes and acotxadors of the human tower groups have worn a protective helmet, and three years later, this safety element was also incorporated into the twos position. NZI, a Murcian helmet specialist, is working on a new model, which presents several unknowns and challenges to be resolved. A lacing system adjusts to the head. Thus, the goal is that from now on, everyone will have this set of modular pieces and that they can be used for all positions of the upper pommel, although in three different sizes.

On the other hand, after some of the current problems, "the area of the face that is closest to the skull," explains Sílvia Simó, a member of the medical area of the CCCC. Thus, they are studying the possibility of lowering the front part of the helmets. Beyond these two major objectives, they are also working on other improvements such as the closure system.

A case that has accelerated

The project is expected to last two years. Once the new helmets are made, the plan is to begin a testing phase and a comparative study between the two models, the old and the updated one. The idea of redesigning the helmet has been under consideration for some time, but the consequences of last summer's San Félix event accelerated the process. A fall by the Colla Vella de los Xiquets de Valls resulted in a serious head trauma and skull fracture for the casteller.

This accident shocked the human tower community, which has decided to take a step forward. The Coordinator, therefore, explains that until now there had been no "serious process" of innovating in helmet design, but that it has now been prioritized. More than 230 heads of human tower children have already been measured to obtain their measurements.

Children's helmets leave some parts of the face exposed. These are primarily the eyebrows, nose, and cheekbones. Another idea being explored, therefore, is to create a type of mask to protect these areas. The CCCC explains that work is being done in parallel, but that "it's one thing to improve an existing helmet and another to create a new protective device that must fit snugly with the helmet."

Helmet Safety

Helmets haven't completely prevented the risk of injury associated with human tower building, but they have reduced it. Since their introduction in 2006, there have been no head injuries with serious consequences for children. The helmets should be worn correctly and the cases studied.