What does penetration refer to in terms of helmet safety?

Penetration in terms of helmet safety specifically refers to the ability of the helmet to withstand a blow from a sharp object. This is crucial because helmets are designed to protect the head from various types of impacts, including those from sharp or pointed objects that could potentially pierce through the helmet's material and cause serious injury. Ensuring that a helmet meets penetration resistance standards is vital for rider safety, especially for those using ATVs where the risk of encountering sharp objects or debris can be significant.

Other aspects of helmet safety, such as resisting impacts, preventing debris entry, and remaining stable during a collision, are important but do not specifically address the concept of penetration as it relates to protecting against sharp objects.