A Helmet That Folds Flat Until You Need It

As earthquakes frequently occur in Japan, it is no wonder why they think more about earthquake safety more than anyone else. 

One of the most crucial things to do during an earthquake is protecting your head from falling objects. There are a lot of ways you can do this. For example, you can get under a desk or table, or cover your head using a helmet. A helmet, however, is bulky and takes up a lot of space. Fortunately, there is the Derucap —a lightweight and portable helmet.

The Derucap is designed specifically for protecting your head in the event of an earthquake, and what makes it unique is how it stores flat when not in use, measuring just about 1.6″ thick. To open it up, simply place it over your head, and pull down until it’s expanded. The lightweight helmet is made from a flame retardant polyethylene, and can cushion the blow in the event that something falls on your head. It’s not going to protect you from a 2-ton steel beam, but it should reduce the chances of injury from things like items falling off of shelves or other small debris.

The Derucap comes in two designs – a compact model that you can toss in a desk drawer, or a stackable square model which comes in boxes of 10. If you live in Japan, you should be able to grab one for about 3,900 yen – or about $36. But if you want to import one to the states, you’ll need to turn to Japan Trend Shop, who sells singles for $69 each.

(Image Credit: Technabob)