The HANS (Head And Neck Support) device is a crucial safety component in motorsports. Developed in the mid-1980s by Dr. Robert Hubbard, it tethers the driver's helmet to the torso, preventing excessive head movement during a crash. This greatly reduces the likelihood of basilar skull fractures, a common and often fatal injury in high-speed impacts.
The HANS device works by transferring the deceleration forces from the head to the stronger torso. It accomplishes this through straps that connect the helmet to a yoke worn over the shoulders. Different versions exist to accommodate various seating angles and racing disciplines. Its use is now mandated across many racing series worldwide.
Key facts
- Significantly reduces head and neck injuries in racing crashes.
- Tethers the driver's helmet to their torso.
- Developed by Dr. Robert Hubbard in the 1980s.
- Mandatory in many racing series globally.
- Transfers deceleration forces away from the head.