Facts about Skiing Injuries, Prevention
Natasha Richardson Death Highlights Risks
Actress Natasha Richardson died on March 18 after suffering a brain injury from a fall on the slopes of a Quebec ski resort. Such a tragedy is quite rare, but skiing, like any sport, has its substantial risks. Much is known about who gets hurt or dies during skiing, how skiing accidents happen and ways to reduce accidents.
Risks of Death, Injury from Skiing
The National Ski Areas Association, a U.S. trade association that tracks injury and fatalities, reported that during 2004/2005, 45 fatalities from skiing/snowboarding occurred. The rate of serious injuries, such as paraplegia and serious head injuries, generally occur at the rate of about 42 a year, according to the NSAA. There are many more injuries, however: according to the U.S. Product Safety Commission, there were more than 144,000 skiing-related injuries that required medical treatment in 2004, either at a hospital, doctor's office or clinic .
Which Skiers at Most Risk
The typical skier/snowboarder who has a fatal accident is male, and is an-above average skier who is going at a high speed on the margin of an intermediate ski trail, according to the NSAA. This male is likely to be in his late teens through his 40s. In general, the majority of all ski injuries occur near the end of the day, when skiers are tired, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Helmets Help Decrease Certain Injuries
n the past few years, skiers in increasing numbers have been wearing helmets. The NSAA estimates about 43 percent of both skiers and snowboarders now wear a helmet. The use of helmets during skiing has been endorsed by the American Medical Association, the Brain Injury Association and the National Safe Kids Campaign.However, helmet use, while considered extremely valuable, does not guarantee safety from all skiing head injury. According to recent research by skiing injury expert Dr. Jasper Shealy at the Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology, the use of helmets has reduced the incidence of head injuries by 30 percent to 50 percent, but the reduction has been in less serious injuries, such as scalp lacerations.
How to Reduce Chance of Ski Injuries
Tips from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:
- skiers should ski with partners, who remain in sight
- at the start of a new day, skiers should warm up by taking a couple of easy runs
- watch out for rocks and icy patches
- stay on marked trails
- buy boots and bindings that have been set, adjusted, maintained and tested by a ski shop that follows the American Society of Testing and Materials standard job practices
- each time before starting to ski, check bindings on each ski
- rest when fatigued
While skiing accidents can and do occur with some frequency, tragedies such as the March 18 skiing death of actress Natasha Richarsons are fortunately quite rare. By being aware of the risks and taking precautions, skiers can reduce their risk of serious consequences on the slopes.
Resources
National Ski Areas Association
Skiing Helmets: An Evaluation of the Potential to Reduce Head Injury: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Jan. 1999.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
All These Skiers Need to Know Safety Rules
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