NOCSAE Approves Process for Modification of Cascade R Helmet to Meet NOCSAE Standard

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Dec. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment has approved a process for Cascade Lacrosse to recertify the model R lacrosse helmet. NOCSAE revoked the Model R's certification in November after the organization's independent investigation revealed the helmet failed impact tests and lacked sufficient quality control certification testing data.

In response to the decision by NOCSAE to decertify the Cascade R helmet, Cascade has developed a program to supplement the interior padding of the Cascade R helmet to effectively address the problems, which had resulted in the decertification.

Cascade has been in regular contact with NOCSAE and has enlisted the services of an independent certified quality auditor to oversee this process. This modification results in a new model by definition in the NOCSAE standards, and Cascade therefore was required to develop a completely separate set of helmet sample testing data to independently support certification of what is now designated as the model R-M. The independent quality auditor has reviewed this data and given NOCSAE his opinion that it supports certification of the R-M.

The Cascade R helmet will remain decertified unless and until it has been returned to Cascade and properly modified. NOCSAE has required that the modified Cascade R-M have a specialized tamperproof label with the manufacturers certification statement and NOCSAE lacrosse logo, as well as a unique serial number that will be indexed to the serial number of the modified helmet so that all modified model R-M's can be tracked.

The development of this program resulted directly from continued cooperation between NOCSAE and Cascade.  This cooperation includes the ongoing investigation by NOCSAE into other helmet models certified by Cascade as meeting the NOCSAE standard.

About NOCSAE

NOCSAE, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, is an independent and nonprofit standard-setting body with the sole mission to enhance athletic safety through scientific research and the creation of performance standards for protective equipment. Formed in 1969, NOCSAE is a leading force in the effort to improve athletic equipment and, as a result, reduce injuries. NOCSAE efforts include the development of performance and test standards for football helmets, gloves and facemasks, baseball and softball batter's and catcher's helmets, baseballs and softballs, ice hockey helmets, soccer shin guards, lacrosse helmets and facemasks, and polo helmets. NOCSAE is comprised of a board of directors representing stakeholders from a number of groups – including consumer and end users, equipment manufacturers and reconditioners, athletic trainers, coaches, equipment managers, and academic and sports medicine associations. These diverse interests have joined forces in an attempt to arrive at a common goal of reducing sports-related injuries. NOCSAE is a nonprofit, charitable organization supported by individuals and organizations with an interest in athletics. For more information, please visit www.nocsae.org.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nocsae-approves-process-for-modification-of-cascade-r-helmet-to-meet-nocsae-standard-300009206.html

SOURCE National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE)