Ski Helmets

Air Date: 1/12/2004

Helmets for Skiers and Snow Boarders

Skiing has evolved into a faster sport than it was 10 years ago, and snowboarding has become very popular. As a result, more skiers and boarders protect themselves by wearing a helmet. Since the mid to late1990s, ski helmet sales increased 10-fold in six years. It is no longer as rare to see people wearing helmets on the slopes as it was even a couple of years ago.

Serious head injuries are the leading cause of death on ski slopes, and the injuries sustained can have lifelong consequences.

A study of skiers treated for head injuries at a Colorado trauma center was published in the October 2002 issue of The Journal of Trauma. It found that collisions with trees were the most common cause of head injury and were responsible for the most severe injuries. Snowboarders were three times more likely to suffer a head injury than skiers.

Helmets for Young and Old

Parents must teach by example. If they want their children to wear a helmet and ski safely, they should do the same. It's also important for professional skiers and boarders to set a good example and be a positive role model by wearing helmets.

The older you get, the harder it is to recover from a concussion. Increasingly, research is discovering long-term effects from head injuries. For example, a study by the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, published in the May 2003 issue of Neurology, linked head injuries to Parkinson's disease. Just one head injury can quadruple a person's risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Symptoms started an average of 20 years after the incident.

Helmets Don't Replace Personal Responsibility

Wearing a helmet can prevent or reduce the severity of a head injury. However, a helmet does not make a speeding skier or hot-dogging boarder immune from disaster. Most helmets are designed to protect from a direct blow to the head at 20 km/h (12 mph) or slower.

Never think you can take more risks because you have a helmet on and therefore are protected.

Always ski responsibly and within your ability.

Children’s Risk Higher

The risk of head injury from skiing or snowboarding is higher for children than for any other age group. These injuries can be devastating. When skiers and snowboarders wear helmets they reduce their risk of head injuries by nearly half. Preparing to be safe can make snow sports a fun, life-long activity for your family. Start children early wearing ski helmets and learning ski safety. Make a rule: no helmet, no skiing.

Helmet Fitting

• Proper fit is a must. If you can, have a sales person help you choose and fit a helmet.
• Choose a certified helmet made just for snow sports. Look for ASTM F2040, Snell RS-98 or CEN 1077 standards.
• The pads should be flush against your child’s cheeks and forehead.
• The back of the helmet should not touch the nape of the neck.
• The helmet should be snug with the chinstrap fastened, fit above the eyebrows and not roll forwards or backwards.
• Lastly, ensure that ski goggles fit well on your child’s face while wearing the helmet.

No helmet can protect against all types of impacts and injuries.

Wearing a helmet is not a license for your child to ski faster.

Talk about skiing safety rules with your child.

Never ski or snowboard alone.

Make sure someone is there to help you if you get hurt.

Ski and snowboard in control and follow the rules of the slopes.

450 Edison Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (775)858-5700 Fax (775)858-5720