I’ve received a few e-mails and photos sent from friends’ cell phones bragging about being on the slopes with their skis and snowboards this holiday season. Myself, I’m itching to feel the cold on my face and the white stuff under my board before the end of the decade.
When I was younger, helmets were only common on little squirts snowplowing down bunny hills. About eight years ago, when I made the switch to snowboarding, I, like those fearless tikes, wore a helmet because I was learning the sport. I didn’t want to risk getting that dreaded concussion my friends warned me of due to the fact that I’d likely be falling backwards a lot when I caught an edge. Even if I’m no longer a beginner, when I do board, I still wear a helmet. I really don’t have any reason not to.
Blogging about wearing helmets on the slopes is nothing new, especially on preventable.ca. But when you look at statistics like the ones below, it’s hard to ignore that much needless harm on the hills could be avoided. This is why we’ve started our latest campaign (see picture) trying to raise awareness about wearing helmets when you’re on the slopes
SNOWBOARDING AND SKIING INJURY FACTS
-
Traumatic head injury is the leading cause of death among skiers and snowboarders (Smartrisk, 2009).
-
Helmets have been linked to a 60% reduction in head injuries for skiers and snowboarders (Smartrisk, 2009).
-
Each year, BC Children’s has about 90 visits to the Emergency Department because of snowboard injuries, and over 50 visits related to downhill skiing (CHIRPP).
-
Each year, there are over 900 skiing and snowboarding injuries, among all ages, that require hospitalization (BCIRPU).
If you’re now a helmet convert and want to pick one up before you shred (or whatever they call it now) then here are some tips:
HELMETS
-
Check for the safety sticker inside: CE/ASTM/SNELL (They are currently in the process of developing CSA certified ski/snowboard helmets).
-
Some helmets are multi-impact and some are single impact. Read the instructions for when to discard your helmet.
-
Helmet should fit, such that one finger fits between the chin and strap and there are 2 fingers distance from the helmet to the brow. Helmet should be snug and comfortable.
-
Only use approved ski/snowboard helmets. Other helmets such as bicycle helmets are designed to take impact differently and offer different areas of protection.
I’ve heard the reasons people give for not wearing helmets on the hills. But what I’d like to know is, if you are a helmet wearer on the slopes, and someone you care for isn’t, do you try to convince them to follow your example?
