5 MIN READ
Every Second Counts. So Does Every Layer of Protection.
Avoiding a crash is always better than facing its consequences. But if things do go wrong? Then you’d better be well prepared. Most motorcyclists in Belgium have never heard of John Hinds. But anyone who’s ever taken a tumble or seen someone else go down will recognise the importance of his story.
Delta 7: The Man with the Helmet and the Stethoscope
Hinds was both a trauma doctor and a motorcyclist. During the high-speed road races in Northern Ireland, he rode on a motorcycle himself, right behind the racers, ready to intervene when things went wrong. He wasn’t a doctor in an ambulance, but on two wheels—fast and hands-on.
His mission? Saving lives in the first crucial minutes after a motorcycle crash. He developed faster emergency procedures, was an advocate for better rider protection, and regularly emphasized the lack of medical preparedness at motorsport events.
In 2015, he tragically lost his life during a demonstration ride on a closed circuit. His death shocked the motorcycle community, but his legacy lives on. Since then, a specialised Helicopter Emergency Medical Service has been established in Northern Ireland under his call-sign: Delta 7.
His message? Good help starts before the crash. And for motorcyclists, that means making sure you gear up with the right protection.
Motorcycle Clothing: Your Crumple Zone on Two Wheels
Motorcycles don’t have crumple zones—you and your motorcycle clothing are the crumple zone. That’s why high-quality, CE-certified protective clothing is essential. Not just for fast rides, but for daily commutes or Sunday tours.
Modern protectors are made of intelligent, ultra-thin materials that harden on impact. They offer comfort while riding and solid protection when you fall. A good protector absorbs the blow and distributes energy across a wider area—reducing the severity of injuries.
CE Certification: What Do Level 1 and Level 2 Actually Mean?
When buying a motorcycle jacket, trousers, or protectors, you’ll often come across labels like CE Level 1 or CE Level 2. These indicate how much impact energy a protector is allowed to transmit.
- Level 1 is the basic standard. These allow up to 35 kN (18 kN for back protectors) of residual force. They offer minimum protection and are often thinner and more flexible.
- Level 2 only allows up to 20 kN (9 kN for back protectors), meaning they absorb significantly more impact energy. Recommended for more demanding or regular riders.
If you’re a sporty rider, cover a lot of miles, or simply don’t want to take any chances, CE-level 2 protectors are your best choice. Especially for the back and chest, the difference in impact absorption can be crucial.
| Zone | CE Standard | Level 1 max impact | Level 2 max impact |
| Shoulders, Elbows, Knees, Hips | EN 1621-1 | ≤ 35 kN | ≤ 20 kN |
| Back | EN 1621-2 | ≤ 18 kN | ≤ 9 kN |
| Chest | EN 1621-3 | ≤ 18 kN av. | ≤ 15 kN av. |
The difference is most noticeable when you hit the ground. Level 2 protectors better spread the energy of the crash, reducing the risk of fractures or internal injuries.
Impact Zones: Where Does Protection Matter Most?
- Shoulders, elbows, knees, hips → standard zones, always CE-certified
- Back → protects your spine, ideally with Level 2 protection
- Chest → optional, but valuable at higher speeds or combined with airbag systems
- Neck → for off-road or adventure use, a neck brace helps prevent whiplash
Upgrading Your Gear: What to Look For
Solid protection starts with jackets and trousers that include Level 2 CE protectors by default. But even if you already have riding gear, there’s often room to improve. Loose or retrofit protectors are an easy and affordable upgrade that can seriously enhance your safety.
Check out D3O protectors: soft while riding, hard on impact. At just 6.5 mm thick, they’re barely noticeable but deliver high-performance protection.
D3O Backprotector Viper Pro
Protectors made from D3O® material offer the most flexible and discreet protection on the market,
consistently outperforming traditional foam-based materials.
Want to take it a step further? Consider airbag vests—mechanical or electronic. Prices have become much more accessible in recent years, making this life-saving tech available to everyday riders. An airbag absorbs impacts no standard protector can handle, protecting vital areas in milliseconds.
ALPINESTARS Tech-Air® 5 Plasma
The new Tech-Air 5 Plasma is an ultra-light airbag vest worn under your motorcycle jacket. Its ultra-slim profile makes it virtually invisible under your gear and doesn’t restrict your freedom of movement. The fact that you can now replace the argon canister yourself up to six times is a real game changer.
HELD eVest2 In&motion
The HELD eVest 2 (with In&box) is the second version of HELD’s electronically triggered airbag system. This update brings two key improvements: full mesh panels at the front for maximum ventilation, and a D3O Level 2 back protector that adds passive protection to the active airbag system.
And when it comes to motorcycle jeans? The evolution is impressive. What used to be a casual compromise is now serious protection. Look for the CE classification of the jeans: it not only indicates the abrasion resistance of the fabric, but also the presence and quality of the protectors.
- A → basic protection, mostly for urban riding
- AA → enhanced protection, often with slightly thicker construction
- AAA → top-tier protection, tested for heavy impact and abrasion
REV’IT! Micah TF
With its AAA certification, the REV’IT! Micah TF
is one of the highlights in the motorcycle jeans segment.
Thanks to innovations like Dyneema and Cordura, AAA-rated jeans today look like regular denim, but offer protection that was once exclusive to leather suits. You no longer have to choose between safety, comfort and style. With the right upgrades, top-level protection is within reach and wearable.
Crash? Stay Calm. What to Do When Things Go Wrong
Even with the best protection, accidents can happen. In those moments, every second—and every action—counts.
1. Secure the area
Get yourself and others to safety. If needed, use your helmet as a warning triangle: place it on the ground at least 100 metres before the crash site (as you would do with your car’s hazard triangle) to alert oncoming traffic. It’s not an official sign, but internationally recognised among motorcyclists as a distress signal.
2. Do not move the injured rider
Unless there’s immediate danger (like fire or traffic), don’t move someone who has fallen. Hidden injuries like spinal trauma can be made worse by incorrect handling.
3. Leave the helmet on
Never remove the helmet of an injured rider—only trained professionals should do that. Check if they’re conscious and breathing. Call emergency services with a clear description of what happened and where. Use your first aid kit only for minor wounds or bleeding.
The most important thing? Stay calm, know your limits and wait for the professionals.
Every second counts, but so does your own safety
Conclusion: Investing in Protection Is Investing in Coming Home
John Hinds has shown us that help often comes too late when protection is lacking. Motorcycle protection isn’t a luxury—it’s a responsibility. For yourself, your passenger, and everyone waiting for you. On this World First Aid Day, we honour his work—and remind every rider that every ride begins with the right protection.
Every second counts. And so does every layer.
