Helmet
From CanyonWiki
A helmet (aka brain-bucket) protects your head. Plain and simple. There are many reasons you want one while canyoneering. Brain injuries are really bad, often leading to extended coma, loss of brain function and sometimes even a vegetated state. This stuff is messy, and often avoided by merely wearing a helmet.
Helmets protect from two kinds of accidents: stuff hitting you, and you hitting your head on stuff.
Modern climbing helmets absorb the impact of rocks hitting you. Both small rocks, and medium sized rocks. Obviously, large rocks will just kill you. Rocks fall spontaneously in canyons, and also are nudged off by rain, animals, tourists and other canyoneers.
More importantly, helmets protect your head when you slip and fall, either on rappel or while downclimbing. Whacking your head can be really bad without a helmet on, but with protection, you are sometimes able to laugh it off. Around water, wearing a helmet is even more important, because not only does it tend to be slippery, but going for a swim while unconscious is usually fatal.
Modern climbing helmets are comfortable to wear and long-lasting. Wearing a kayak, skateboard or bike helmet is better than nothing, but after your second canyon it is time to get yourself a real brain-bucket. If you can't afford it, ask your mom. This is something parental units LIKE to pay for.
Technical Tip: When entering a tight canyon section, consider unclipping the helmet. This makes extracting yourself much easier if the helmet should get wedged. This is especially true if you find yourself above a bomb bay attached to a wedged helmet!
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