Another part of essential equipment is to have a helmet. It is not common but sometimes debris will fall and if it were to come into contact with you, the health implications could be disastrous.
Never risk your health for anything and the best helmet for a climb is a hard external surface but with foam liners inside for ultimate protection.
With helmets, there aren’t many on the market but if you bear in mind all safety issues that could occur when climbing, seek professional advice if you are unsure which the right choice is.
Where possible look for helmets supplied by either CEN (European Committee for Standardization) and UIAA (Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme) because they are renowned for their hardwearing materials and the best choice of many climbing professionals worldwide.
Helmets do have a limited lifespan, so if they become damaged in any way whatsoever, they will need replacing. They can only manage one impact and if used again, the material will be softer and it may not be able to cope with another impact. If no damages do occur, it is still recommended to change your helmet every year if possible.
Top Tip: As with harnesses, you need to be certain that the helmet is comfortable but doesn’t slip and slide all over the place. Safety is the number one issue for any climber and if an accident were to occur when climbing, it is putting your life and potentially others in danger if all necessary equipment is worn.