By Author(s): Jim Schiller [3]
Published Friday, August 1, 2008 | From the August 2008 [4] Issue of FireRescue [5]

You’ve been working hard at a well-involved structure fire, extrication incident or wildland fire. What’s the most common bodily function experienced during such extreme physical activity? Sweat! I don’t know about you, but when I’m working hard on a call, the sweat just rolls down my face and into my eyes. And when I bend over to pick something up, the weight of the helmet slides forward, and when I stand up, the sweat just runs out of my helmet liner’s sweat band. Not pleasant!

HEADLINE IT!, an ultra-thin, disposable liner, solves many sweat-related problems. I saw a prototype for the product on TV a couple years ago during the first season of “American Inventor.” I remember telling my wife that this product would be great for the fire service, and I’m glad I finally had the opportunity to test it out.

I inserted a HEADLINE IT! liner in my structure and brush helmets as well as a department baseball hat. I work in Southern California, where we enjoy warm, dry days in every season; however, it was the weather and fire conditions in Northern California where I was first able to put the liners to the test.

I recently spent several days as part of a strike team in the community of Olancha, Calif., in the eastern Sierras, where we provided structure protection in 90-degree heat with 10–15 percent humidity. The bottom line: I was very impressed with the HEADLINE IT! liner’s performance under these conditions.

Our strike team was re-deployed to the Butte Lightning Complex (where more than 150 fires were burning), spanning multiple branches and multiple divisions in each branch. We all thought we’d provide our usual “pavement queen” structure protection—but not this trip. We ended up in Break Neck Division of Sterling Branch, an hour drive outside Chico in the mountains. We performed brush engine work, hiking steep (very steep) hills, cutting fireline and placing progressive hoselays—you know, the work the 20-year-olds do. I had the original HEADLINE IT! liner that I had placed in my brush helmet 2 weeks before, and I wore the helmet for 24 hours at a time in hot, humid weather and under extreme physical activity. (Note: The instructions indicate that the liner should be changed at least once a week, but mine lasted longer.)

The liner kept a large amount of sweat out of my eyes and off my forehead. Even after multiple weeks of use, the liner performed as well as it had the very first day I placed it in my helmet. I also had one of my firefighters put a liner in his structure helmet; he’s still using it and asked me where he can get some more. Other folks in my department have seen the product and inquired where they can get it, too.

The liner’s large surface area and the three-layer construction wick away sweat, and the evaporation also acts as a cooling mechanism for the body. The liners are very easy to insert, remove and store. A sewn edge prevents fraying, and there’s a space or pocket for absorption, allowing for evaporation. The liner dried quickly after use. Plus, I actually think the liner makes helmets and hats fit better.

HEADLINE IT! liners are constructed of two layers of spunlace (viscose and polyester blend) material along with a third layer of SMS (spunbond meltblown spunbond) material to create a highly absorbent liner. The meltblown in the SMS layer provides 1–3 microns per square inch, allowing the liner to trap salt, sweat and oils for quick moisture evaporation.

The product packaging and literature show HEADLINE IT! liners being used by some of our uniformed military members. As a former soldier, I would have loved to put this product in my helmet to reduce sweat during boot camp.

HEADLINE IT! also reduces sweat stains in your ball cap. I ran 5 miles wearing my baseball cap, and only the bill was wet.

A box of 10 individually packaged liners costs about $14. I will definitely use these liners in the future.

 

Headline It!

Pros

• Lightweight
• Easy to carry and store
• Thin and hygienic
• Easy to install
• Inexpensive
• Extends the life of your helmet liner.

Cons

• None

Pliszka’s Adventures

P.O. Box 473

Muskego, WI 53150

Tel: 262/682-4267

E-mail: Jodi@HeadlineIt Sales.com [6]

Web: www.HeadlineItSales.com [7]

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