Rehabmart offers many different types of protective headgear at discount prices. Visit our protective headgear page to view the different products we have to offer!

Most experts now agree that there is no such thing as a 'minor' head injury. Seemingly minor head injuries may cause major trauma later, and a University of Penn scientist has recently confirmed what many researchers have long suspected: "People who sustain a major head injury are more likely to develop Alzheimer's-like symptoms later in life." According to The National Institutes of Health, only a slight hit on the head or a simple fall to the ground without even hitting the head may be all that it takes to incur a subdural hematoma, often without a skull fracture, and there may be no external evidence of this bruising on the brain's surface.

Falls are definitely the most common cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI), with TBI being the primary cause of death and severe injury in children who suffer falls, especially in toddlers four years of age or younger. TBI additionally accounts for 46% of fatal falls among older adults as well. Protective headgear can help prevent injury and TBI, but if the protective helmet is heavy, slides around on the head or does not fit properly, it could actually cause a fall, doing more harm than good. Thankfully, Janice Carrington of Plum Enterprises invented and patented the lightweight and custom-fitting protective headgear known as the ProtectaCap®  and ProtectaCap+Plus® which are now both proudly offered by Rehabmart.

  
These unique and stylish helmets eliminate the problems usually associated with regular helmets. While pre-formed helmets are generally round and made for round heads, it is important to note that human heads are not perfectly round. Available in a wide assortment of sizes, fitting tiny infants to the largest adults, the ProtectaCap® conforms to each individual as if custom made especially for each individual. They will not slide around on the head, and they provide the ultimate protection against impact and injury with this closer fit, regardless of the user's head size, shape or shunt. Medical professionals who have used the ProtectaCap® with their patients agree that this protective headgear fits and works better than custom-molded helmets, at a fraction of the cost.

Because they are virtually weightless, the ProtectaCap® and the ProtectaCap+Plus® are the perfect choice for children and adults with weak neck muscles, balance disorders, cerebral palsy and Parkinson's. Fully encased in cotton, the full head protection design of these special helmets opens and expands around the ears for optimal hearing, another safety attribute. These helmets are so comfortable, they can be used while sleeping for additional nighttime safety, and for post-surgery protection. No potentially irritating vinyl, plastic or leather is next to the head, and these helmets are hypoallergenic, vinyl-free and latex-free. Cradle Cap, eczema and head rashes that are so often associated with the use of other helmets are eliminated with this natural cotton blend.

  
Unlike other helmets on the market, the ProtectaCap® and the ProtectaCap+Plus® will not break or crack even after numerous impacts, and also cannot be picked apart like vinyl covered helmets, eliminating the dangers of children swallowing or choking on these pieces. They are also machine-washable and dryable for optimal antibacterial safety and ease of use. This protective headgear is also safe and convenient to use around the pool or water as it will float, and its patented protective core will not absorb water.

The ProtectaCap® and ProtectaCap+Plus® have been recommended and prescribed for a wide range of issues including cerebral palsy, head banging, balance disorders, craniectomy, post-cranial surgery, hemophilia, Alzheimer's, hydrocephalus, shunts, Parkinson's, epilepsy, autism, Huntington's, TBI and for Special Olympics participants. The basic differences between the ProtectaCap® and the  ProtectaCap+Plus® is that the 'Plus' adds a unique second layer of differing density and cell structure to the same exceptional core that makes both helmets so effective. This unparalleled dual core multiplies shock-absorption exponentially. 'ProtectaChin' and 'ProtectaCheek' guards are a special option to add to the 'Plus' model, which also comes standard with replaceable cotton covers called +PlusPockets, offering reinforced protection of the back of head, temples and forehead.

The excellent impact absorption of the ProtectaCap® has been helping prevent TBIs for over 20 years. The comparison on the ASTM Impact Absorption scale to other helmets on the market again places the ProtectaCap® above the competition, with a range of 141.50 down to 65. A peak G number above the 200 line is dangerous and indicates how much impact energy is reaching the head, and some vinyl-dipped helmets test as high as 288.50. The ProtectaCap+Plus® offers four times more impact absorption than vinyl covered helmets, absorbing 90% of impact energy. As the helmet that neurosurgeons depend on for our veterans post-combat and post-brain surgery, the ProtectaCap® and the ProtectaCap+Plus® are your best choices for protective headgear that is specifically engineered for optimal staged deceleration of impact energy to help children and adults stay safe so that they can remain active and live long and healthy lives.

Carol Koenigsknecht,
Medical Consumer Editor,
Content & Social Media Services
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO