Ski and Snowboard Safety
Popular winter sports for many are skiing and snowboarding. These are risky sports. They take time and practice to learn. There are many safety guidelines to be aware of and follow. Serious injuries can result from not protecting yourself or not following the rules. It is important to know how to protect yourself and what to do in case of an injury or an accident.
Did You Know?
o Ski helmets could prevent or reduce the effects of 53% of the head injuries suffered by children under 15 while skiing or snowboarding.
o More people are hurt from snowboarding than any other outdoor activity. They account for 25% of Emergency Room visits.
o About 37.1 people have died on average per year from ski and snowboarding accidents.
o Serious injuries occur at the rate of about 43.7 per year according to the National Ski Area Association.
o Most fatal accidents occur on well-groomed trails where the average speed of skiers is 25-40 miles per hour.
Safety Code
o Always stay in control. Be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
o People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
o You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or cannot be seen from above.
o When you start downhill or merge into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
o Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
o Watch all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
o Before using any lift, you must be able to load, ride, and unload safely.
Others
o Wear a helmet to decrease or prevent head injuries. Wear other protective equipment including wrist guards and goggles.
o Dress in layers.
o Wear sun protection even on cloudy days.
o Wear eye protection such as sun glasses or goggles.
o Take lessons to learn the safe and proper technique.
o Carry a ski area map to know where you are and the difficulty level of the runs.
o Maintain equipment to assure that it is safe to use.
o Do not ride alone.
o Do not listen to music. It is your responsibility to be aware of your surroundings and be able to hear others who may attempt to warn you of danger.
o Ride sober!
Ski Trail Markings
Below is a list of some problems to be aware of while skiing or snowboarding.
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Dehydration (When the body loses more fluids than it takes in. The body cannot function properly.)
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Frostbite (Exposure to very cold temperature that causes skin and tissues to freeze)
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Hypothermia (The body loses heat faster than it produces heat.)
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Concussion (Brain injury that can be caused from hitting your head. It affects the way the brain normally works.)
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What to do I do in case of injury or problem?
- Stay calm.
- Use your judgment.
- Yell for someone. Tell someone.
- If possible, move yourself or the injured person out of harms way, only if in danger.
- If you must move the person, protect the neck keeping it in a straight line.
- Call 911 or go to the Emergency Room if needed.
Resources
- http://calskisafety.org/reports.html
- www.lidsonkids.org
- www.nsaa.org
- http://www.cdc.gov/TraumaticbrainInjury/
- www.cpsc.gov/
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 11/30/2009
Copyright © 11/20/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #6966
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