Securing a headlamp to a hard hat

I was supplied with a new hard hat for SAR operations. Unfortunately, it does not seem to have any attachments or anything actually, to secure a headlamp strap to the hat. Whenever I pull the strap down, it's going to stay there for a second then whooooops! It slides right off the hat.



Does anyone have an idea how I could secure my Petzl headlamp to the hat? I was thinking... drilling two rows of small holes around the hat to insert zipties to tie-down the lamp. Obviously, needing the lamp for something else would mean cutting all the zipties.

Would anyone have a better idea? Of course, something permanent like glueing is not my preffered approach.

Thanks! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

You can order clips and glue for wildland helmets from The Supply Cache These work great! These allow you to retain a headlamp and goggles on your helmet but still be able to remove them for use without the helmet. Petzl makes some rescue specific helmets that have built in headlamp clips.

I believe that Petzel also makes little clips that can attach the light. I have two sets. It consists of four little clips that have a flat part for the band and a round hook to grab the edge of the hat.

FOUND IT:
http://www.brightguy.com/detail.php?Sku=PETEO4350

**EDIT**
The funny thing is that these items are not even mentioned on the Petzl web site. I suppose that it is possible that they re discontinuted. If so, you might want to buy two pairs. Still, those things are quite useful. Petzl sells hemlets and headlamps. You would think that they would proudly offer those and make it easy to find.

**EDIT part 2**
Oops. I found it here http://en.petzl.com/petzl/SportProduits?Produit=219
It seems that they advertise it as a helmet accessory instead of a light accessory. Funny.

Drilling holes or using glue can compromise a plastic helmet. The clips that others have described sound like they would work. There are some LED lights that are designed to fit a helmet (or really big head?). Our SWAT guys have them on their balistic helmets. If you want, I will find out where they got them and who makes them.

Here's an option: Petzl helmet with clips built in.

Yep, it looks like those clips are what I need!

Since I don't climb and this helmet is going to be used exclusively for SAR operations, purchasing another helmet is not really an option. I got this helmet for 5 $ and it seems as I could get those clips for another 5-6 $. Much cheaper than the Petzl climbing helmet.

I don't know if this goes against a forum rule, but since i'm in Canada, websites have a tendency to exagerate terribly when it comes to shipping rates... Maybe someone could put his hands on these clips, mail them to me and I would be more than happy to repay using Paypal? Just wondering.

Thanks guys for your replies, I appreciate them.

I would appreciate that, if you can get the info from your fellow SWAT officers.

Thx! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Is that a $5 helmet, or a helmet that will protect you that only cost $5?

I have a helmet with holes in it but I use velcor ties to fasten a head lamp to it. You can get them at a builder supply they are used to fasten wires together. Or you could just grilla glue the ties to the helmet.
cheers

LOL!

Nahhh it's just a deal my SAR organisation has for them. ANSI TYPE I, CLASS E, no frills hard hat.

Link here.

I checked out one of the SWAT balistic helmets for you. It appears to be a "standard" LED headlight, but the fabric band has been sewn to the fabric cover (usually camo, but ours are flat black) that covers the entire helmet.

Glue two little blocks--one inch square--oops, 2.5 cm square--just above the lamp in front and just above the strap in back just to keep it from riding up. Could be as simple as a douple layer of corrugated cardboard. Check it every now and then for security and reglue as needed. I am a big fan of hot melt glue for something like this.

Or add a little sticky-back Velcro to the helmet and lamp. Cushy side on the lamp in case you want to wear it on your forehead some time.

using glue can compromise a plastic helmet.
The glue and clips are designed to be used on plastic wildland helmets, by the manufactures of helmets... and it is a HARD HAT <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />!

Zip ties in the slots over your ears. I used this style of hard hat when I was doing industrial installs. Two little zip ties in each slot, and a pair of minimags. You might be able to do the same with yours, but with the strap through the loops rather than the lights I use.

I'm claustraphobic. :P

If it has a slot in the sides for a chin strap, there is a bracket which snaps into that and holds the Streamlight 4AA. Since this light is rated IS for explosive atmospheres, you might want to consider that for SAR work where a hardhat is required. We use it in a chemical plant which is classified as Class 1 Div 1&2 since it is one of a few lights rated for that. Just a suggestion.

If using velcro, I have found that the hook part tends to get caught on all sorts of things,i.e. any fabric, jacket flaps etc. It won't hold tight on other things, but it is really annoying. I have found that a good way to use velcro is to put the loop part on the more mobile part & the hook part on the more stationary part. Examples: the loop part on the ice scraper & the hook part on the inside of the truck door, the loop part on the tv remote & the hook part on the coffee table. This way, when the remote is on the afghan* on the couch, it won't tend to stick to it. * blanket-type thing, not a person from Afghanistan.

yes...get a spade mounted lamp. It will be able to go from helmet, to headstrap, to bike, other things in a snap that way.

Sorry to bump this old thread, but by reading the SHOT 2007 report, I noticed the part where Doug talks about the ADAPT mounting system that's available for use with all existing Petzl Tikka and Zipka headlamps.

Sorry if this is old news to some of you, but I just yesterday discovered this item... wished I had last summer ! *shrug*

Petzl ADAPT system

I recently noticed that Princeton Tec makes an "industrial headlamp" version of the EOS which ships with both a standard elastic strap and a low-slip rubber strap for about $3 more than the standard EOS:

http://www.brightguy.com/products/Princeton_Tec_EOS_LED_Headlamp.php#2 (scroll down to the bottom)

I have one on my hard hat for work. use some stick on velcro. one piece directly behind the light and the front of the hat and one on each side. make sure you put the soft side on the light in case you are going to use it for other things without the hat.

Why not stick on Velcro to helmet and other to light? Put two more on the rear. Problem solved.

Boone

Actually... I wrote the Light part of the review and some of the gear <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

The Adapt system is a very good system, I love mine!

Here is a link to a dealer that sells little clips that attach to the brim of most hardhats and hold headlamp straps in place. Velcro might be just as easy tho...