Protecting myself from impact with the instrument panel is a priority for me, especially since I am now on anticoagulants which could make any head bump a potentially serious event. In my mind, the foremost priority is to keep my head from ever hitting the glare shield in the first place, whatever edge protection it might have. I use a combination of strategies: First, distance from the panel - I am 6'3" and installed AntiSplat's Almost an RV 14 mod in my 6A. Aside from making the plane much more comfortable and less cramped for my long arms, it also has the effect of moving my head back about 6" further than the stock position. From what I have read the PT-22 has a VERY tight rear cockpit, with very little distance between the pilot and the panel. Second, restraint - like everybody else here I have shoulder harness, and keep them snugged down for all flights. Again, my second hand info is that PT-22's do normally have shoulder harness. Lastly, if the above measure fail, my third line of defence is my helmet - I wear a surplus HGU-55 and love it. I look like a goof, but the bump lid gives me a little more protection from hard objects in the cockpit in the event of an unfortunate incident, and most certainly provides an increased level of protection from laceration. I haven't seen any info on what Mr. Ford was wearing re: headgear. Head contact with panel, knobs, etc has been identified as the biggest single cause of mortality in what would otherwise be survivable aircraft accidents. Preventing that contact, and protecting myself from it if that isn't possible have been my priorities, in that order.
Edit: Reading this back, I realize it comes off like a lecture. It's not intended that way; just intended to summarize my approach to this issue, which I think is a critical safety factor. I don't intend to present myself as being any kind of expert; so many others on this forum have so much more knowledge than I do. I have just read quite a bit and thought quite a bit about this particular issue. Just my .02!