The Modification of Helmets for Caving and Cave Diving

By necessity some helmets have to be modified in order that they can be used for caving or adapted to suit the requirements of a particular task within the caving environment. Usually holes will need to be drilled in the shell so that lamp brackets or reserve lamps can be fitted.

Head torches with elastic head straps can be attached to helmets without the need for helmet modification but there is a high risk that the headtorch may be dislodged which in certain situations could be extremely hazardous. An additional method of attachment should be devised which may require helmet modification.

If holes are drilled in sensible positions and kept to a minimum they are unlikely to have an adverse effect on the overall strength or protection offered by the helmet shell but obviously this can't be guaranteed.

Drilling holes into a helmet shell technically invalidates its certification as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and may have an adverse effect on the amount of protection provided by it so anyone who modifies or uses a modified helmet must be aware of, and fully accept, the potential incurred risks of the modification beforehand and during subsequent use.