It took a particularly dreadful accident to create the Voztec. See, John Vozzo was left incapacitated after a nasty skydiving incident. With both legs broken, he had little else to do but contemplate the deeper questions of life and a new helmet. Helmet? Yes, particularly what became the Voztec, which is a whole line of specially made helmets for outdoor enthusiasts. With the help of business partner Mark Bryant, the pair have been prototyping several different models of the Voztec, which opens up like a clam.

As seen in the picture above, the Voztec comes hinged and is held tightly by two additional clips. So instead of the age old practice of sliding a helmet down your head, the Voztec opens at the back and ‘devours’ the wearer’s head. This particular design feature allows for a better fit and improved protection for the chin.

The Voztec’s clam like design is also a boon for rescue personnel and paramedics in the lousy case of an accident. Rather than pull it off, a small lever embedded in the crown is pulled, releasing the pin. The clips then are detachable, allowing for a helmet removal without disturbing the victim’s head.