Protect Your Head at All Times

Protect Your Head at All Times (PHAT) is a non-profit program with a mission to promote the use of helmets in all sports and activities that involve a risk of head injury. Research shows that helmets work in preventing or reducing the impact of head injuries, such as concussion or traumatic brain injuries. The truth is that brain injuries can have devastating physical, emotional and financial impacts on the injured and their loved ones. That’s why PHAT believes that everyone should be educated about the benefits of helmet use, and protect their heads as much as possible.

PHAT wants to change the culture around helmet use and make helmets accessible to everyone in our communities, so they can always ride and live PHAT.

PHAT has no ties to helmet manufacturers or retailers.

Helmet Program

PHAT and Safe Kids Vermont have collaborated to make bicycle and multisport (skateboard-style) helmets more accessible and affordable. Community members can purchase helmets in any size – from toddler to adult – for just $15 each. When adults wear helmets every time they bike or skateboard, research shows that youth are more likely to mimic these behaviors – so get your helmets to make sure the whole family rides PHAT!

Helmets are available year-round. Please use our size guide to determine appropriate sizing.

Request Your Helmet Here.

Become a Partner

Are you passionate about helmets and preventing head injuries in your community? Become a PHAT partner to help your community access affordable helmets.

Partners serve as distribution sites for the helmet program, and are essential in getting helmets to community members. We provide each of our partners with helmets to be sold or distributed at the recommended cost of $15 each, at no cost to them. In addition to helmets, we also provide partners with flyers, fitting guides and PHAT stickers.

About the PHAT Program

PHAT was founded in 2002 by Robert Williams, MD, a critical care specialist and pediatric anesthesiologist at the University of Vermont Medical Center, and an associate professor of anesthesiology at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine.

Originally, PHAT focused on making helmet use an accepted norm among Vermont skiers and snowboarders. Their approach increased helmet use on local mountains to well above the national average, and raised visibility of the issue throughout the U.S.

A study released in 2008 by the UVM Medical Center and the University of Vermont showed a significant increase in helmet use as a result of the program: more than 80% of children were in helmets at Smugglers’ Notch, up from 60% in the 2002-2003 season. Helmet use by adults nearly doubled, with almost 60% of adult skiers and riders using helmets, up from 30% in the 2002-2003 season. The study, based on more than 30,000 observations of skiers and riders over four winters, also showed that among children, female snowboarders were the least likely to wear a helmet, while male skiers were the most likely to wear a helmet.

Helmet Safety Resources