Joe, I had read up on them in 04. I recall being able to adjust free movement in the device. I can't image you would want your head locked down. Just limit the extremes of movement.

Awesome idea.

Great for the sport.

This ladies and gents is the best post I've seen on this. No team can afford to go 180mph unless u can pay for the proper support like real time telemetry and a bird in the air so any restriction ur safety devices cause ur vision ur spotter can take car of. I also know that when I'm doing 180mph ( which is in the near future so I can romp on all u dudes that think ur as good as me ) LOL I'm going to be looking straight ahead.

they are designed to keep your head from detaching from c1&c2 with the corresponding brainstem injuries. it takes a lot of articulation/ hyperextension for this injury so the device can be adjusted for you to be able to look around. the helmet is attached to whats basically an overgrown collar held in place by the sholuder belts. when the belts are released it would not hamper your egress.

Contrary to what I've read here, Hydros do not "bust apart and the capsule retrieved by the crew". The capsule is an integral structure to the hull. Our capsules and roll bar structures are "unibond" so deflection is minimal and rigidity is maximized. Since 1988 the Unlimited Hydro class has had in excess 120 blowovers over 175 MPH and one loss of life. (year 2000 in San Diego). Statistically we land upside down about 90% of the time, and escape and/or pulled out by the bottom hatch. We all wear HANS devices. The HANS is not adjustable while underway. Generally there is about 1 1/2 inches +/- of slack between the actual device and the helmet connection. Peripheral restriction is minimal, mirrors are mandatory. The reality is your vision under a capsule is restricted by it's very nature and the HANS makes little impact on an already restricted site environment.
In your cases with races in excess of 40 minutes, you'll need to continually tighten your belts. The belts are the sole aspect making the HANS work as they go over the shoulder hoops of the HANS and restrain the neck from forward hyper extension.
Our driving suits have NO flotation nor padding of any nature.
For those of you near Indiana, you're welcome to visit our shop off season and inspect any safety aspect of the capsules and associated peripherals at your leisure.

Be safe,
Steve David
U-6 O Boy Oberto

Thank you, Steve For your insight. I believe Joey was thinking of Drag boats. But you have first hand info of this equipment, and it's use.

Drag Boat, Top fuel Hydro, The whole driving pod detaches

i was thinking of drag boats and irresponsibly stated hydros.

SD, you are actually on my list of people to call next week for questions about safety gear and w/o doubt, turbines. the people going over 200mph on water is a very short list!

Steve, please call me at SC Bicycles 810 326 0600...

Steve,
Thanks for clearing that up for the boys, they need to know how far the unlimiteds and ul's have come in safty mandates.
The best recently had to be David Bryant's flip at Seafair.
He was parked right next to me, and he was out so quick, his shoes weren't even wet.

It was great riding in the parade boat with you and David at Tri-cites.

Mike Sadlon
UL 89

Our wreck in Key West last year happened at full speed on the back straight. Something snaps in the back of the boat and a great run turns into a cartwheel. At 100+ the violence involved is stunning. At 150+ it's compounded exponentially.

Most of the 100+ tunnel boats use the Hans. I have worn them. Think of a neck brace with a short wire attached to your helmet. Uncomfortable the first time, not an issue the third. If Lee decides to drop a turbine into our boat, I will be wearing one.
SQ