Energy absorbing safety helmet

In combination with a helmet, the helmet including an impact-resistant shell, a suspension harness made from a plurality of straps, the harness disposed within the shell, and a headband in registry with the harness, a shock absorbing suspension system, the system comprising a plurality of harness receiving sockets integrally formed within the shell, the sockets including an indentation formed within the shell, shell extensions partially protruding into the indentation and spaced away from the shell forming a recess between the shell and the extension, the upper portion of each extension forming a land bridging the recess between the shell and each extension, a number of strap retainers removably disposed within the sockets, the retainers having flexible means in registry with the lands formed within the sockets for absorbing and dissipating blows to the shell, means for temporarily affixing the headband to the strap retainers, and means for engaging the straps with the strap retainers.