How to deflate football helmet? Exploring Different Methods

A football helmet is a protective device that covers the head and face of a player. It consists of a hard shell, a padded interior, a chin strap, and a facemask. The helmet is designed to reduce the impact of collisions and prevent injuries such as concussions, skull fractures, and facial lacerations. However, for the helmet to work effectively, it needs to fit snugly and comfortably on the player’s head. That’s why inflating and deflating the helmet is an important part of maintaining and adjusting it.

There are different methods for inflating and deflating a football helmet, depending on the type and model of the helmet. Some helmets have air bladders that can be inflated or deflated with a pump or a needle. Some helmets have valves that can be opened or closed with a screwdriver or a wrench. Some helmets have no air system at all and rely on foam padding for cushioning. In this guide, I’ll explain how to identify the type of your helmet and how to use the appropriate method for inflating and deflating it.

The Basics of a Football Helmet

Before we dive into the details of inflating and deflating your football helmet, let’s review some basic terms and features of a football helmet. Here are some common parts of a football helmet that you should know:

• Shell: The outermost layer of the helmet that is made of hard plastic or polycarbonate. It protects the head from direct impact and provides the shape and structure of the helmet.
• Liner: The inner layer of the helmet that is made of foam or air bladders. It absorbs shock and provides comfort and fit for the head.
• Jaw pads: The pads that are attached to the inside of the shell near the ears. They protect the jaw and cheekbones from impact and help stabilize the helmet on the head.
• Crown pad: The pad that is attached to the top of the liner inside the shell. It protects the top of the head from impact and helps distribute pressure evenly across the head.
• Chin strap: The strap that connects the two sides of the shell under the chin. It secures the helmet on the head and prevents it from sliding off or moving around.
• Facemask: The metal or plastic cage that covers the front of the helmet. It protects the face from impact and allows visibility and ventilation for the player.
• Ear holes: The holes on both sides of the shell near the ears. They allow sound to enter and exit the helmet and provide access for inflating or deflating some types of helmets.

How to Deflate Your Football Helmet

To deflate your football helmet, you need to identify what type of air system your helmet has. There are three main types of air systems in football helmets: Riddell, Schutt, and none.

• Riddell: Riddell helmets have air bladders that can be inflated or deflated with a pump or a needle. The air bladders are located in different parts of the liner, such as the crown pad, jaw pads, side pads, back pad, etc. To deflate a Riddell helmet, you need to locate the air bladders that you want to adjust and insert a needle into them through the ear holes or other openings in the shell. Then, you need to squeeze or press on the air bladders until they release enough air to achieve your desired fit.
• Schutt: Schutt helmets have valves that can be opened or closed with a screwdriver or a wrench. The valves are located in different parts of the liner, such as the crown pad, jaw pads, side pads, back pad, etc. To deflate a Schutt helmet, you need to locate the valves that you want to adjust and turn them counterclockwise with a screwdriver or a wrench until they release enough air to achieve your desired fit.
• None: Some helmets have no air system at all and rely on foam padding for cushioning. These helmets cannot be inflated or deflated by any means. To adjust these helmets, you need to replace or remove some of the foam padding inside them.

How to Inflate Your Football Helmet

To inflate your football helmet, you need to follow similar steps as deflating it but in reverse order.

• Riddell: To inflate a Riddell helmet, you need to locate the air bladders that you want to adjust and insert a pump or a needle into them through the ear holes or other openings in the shell. Then, you need to pump or inject air into the air bladders until they expand enough to achieve your desired fit.
• Schutt: To inflate a Schutt helmet, you need to locate the valves that you want to adjust and turn them clockwise with a screwdriver or a wrench until they close enough to achieve your desired fit.
• None: To adjust a helmet with no air system, you need to add or insert some foam padding inside it.

What are the different methods for inflating and deflating of a football helmet?

As you can see, there are different methods for inflating and deflating of a football helmet depending on the type and model of the helmet. Here are some of the most common methods that you can use:

• Pump: A pump is a device that can inject air into the air bladders of a Riddell helmet. It has a nozzle that can fit into the ear holes or other openings in the shell and a handle that can be squeezed or pressed to pump air. A pump is easy to use and can provide precise and consistent inflation or deflation of the helmet.
• Needle: A needle is a device that can inject or release air from the air bladders of a Riddell helmet. It has a sharp tip that can pierce through the ear holes or other openings in the shell and a valve that can be opened or closed to control the flow of air. A needle is cheap and portable but can be tricky to use and can cause damage to the helmet if not handled carefully.
• Screwdriver: A screwdriver is a tool that can open or close the valves of a Schutt helmet. It has a flat or cross-shaped head that can fit into the slots of the valves and a handle that can be turned to rotate the head. A screwdriver is simple and convenient but can be hard to find and can strip or damage the valves if not used properly.
• Wrench: A wrench is a tool that can open or close the valves of a Schutt helmet. It has an adjustable jaw that can grip the sides of the valves and a handle that can be turned to tighten or loosen the jaw. A wrench is versatile and reliable but can be bulky and heavy and can scratch or dent the helmet if not used carefully.

Which method is best for you?

The best method for inflating and deflating your football helmet depends on your personal preference, availability, and budget. Here are some factors that you should consider when choosing a method:

• Ease of use: Some methods are easier to use than others. For example, a pump is easier to use than a needle because it does not require piercing the helmet and it has a clear indicator of how much air is being pumped. You should choose a method that you are comfortable and confident with.
• Accuracy: Some methods are more accurate than others. For example, a pump is more accurate than a needle because it can provide precise and consistent inflation or deflation of the helmet. You should choose a method that allows you to adjust your helmet to your exact fit.
• Availability: Some methods are more available than others. For example, a pump is more available than a needle because it is usually provided by your team or coach or sold at sports stores. You should choose a method that you have easy access to.
• Cost: Some methods are more costly than others. For example, a pump is more costly than a needle because it is more complex and durable. You should choose a method that fits your budget.

How to inflate and deflate a Riddell football helmet

To inflate and deflate a Riddell football helmet, you need to use either a pump or a needle. Here are the steps for using each method:

Using a pump

1. Locate the air bladders that you want to adjust inside your helmet. They are usually marked with labels such as “Crown”, “Jaw”, “Side”, “Back”, etc.
2. Insert the nozzle of the pump into one of the ear holes or other openings in the shell where an air bladder is located.
3. Squeeze or press the handle of the pump to inject air into the air bladder until it expands enough to achieve your desired fit.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each air bladder that you want to adjust.
5. Remove the nozzle of the pump from the ear hole or other opening in the shell.
6. Check your fit by putting on your helmet and fastening your chin strap. Your helmet should feel snug but not tight on your head.

Using a needle

• Locate the air bladders that you want to adjust inside your helmet. They are usually marked with labels such as “Crown”, “Jaw”, “Side”, “Back”, etc.

• Insert the tip of the needle into one of the ear holes or other openings in the shell where an air bladder is located.
• Open the valve of the needle to inject or release air from the air bladder until it expands or contracts enough to achieve your desired fit.
• Close the valve of the needle and remove it from the ear hole or other opening in the shell.
• Repeat steps 1 to 3 for each air bladder that you want to adjust.
• Check your fit by putting on your helmet and fastening your chin strap. Your helmet should feel snug but not tight on your head.

How to inflate and deflate a Schutt football helmet

To inflate and deflate a Schutt football helmet, you need to use either a screwdriver or a wrench. Here are the steps for using each method:

Using a screwdriver

• Locate the valves that you want to adjust inside your helmet. They are usually marked with labels such as “Crown”, “Jaw”, “Side”, “Back”, etc.
• Insert the head of the screwdriver into one of the slots of the valve that you want to adjust.
• Turn the screwdriver clockwise to close the valve and inflate the helmet or counterclockwise to open the valve and deflate the helmet until you achieve your desired fit.
• Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each valve that you want to adjust.
• Check your fit by putting on your helmet and fastening your chin strap. Your helmet should feel snug but not tight on your head.

Using a wrench

• Locate the valves that you want to adjust inside your helmet. They are usually marked with labels such as “Crown”, “Jaw”, “Side”, “Back”, etc.
• Adjust the jaw of the wrench to fit around one of the sides of the valve that you want to adjust.
• Turn the wrench clockwise to close the valve and inflate the helmet or counterclockwise to open the valve and deflate the helmet until you achieve your desired fit.
• Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each valve that you want to adjust.
• Check your fit by putting on your helmet and fastening your chin strap. Your helmet should feel snug but not tight on your head.

Conclusion

In this guide, I have shown you how to inflate and deflate a football helmet using different methods and tools. I hope you have found this guide helpful and informative. Remember, inflating and deflating your football helmet is an important part of maintaining and adjusting it for optimal performance and safety. You should always check your fit before and after playing and make sure your helmet is comfortable and secure on your head. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for using Bing!