Snow Sports Safety
By: Kendra Murphy and Makenzie Olp
Introductory Paragraph
Prevention:
Ice Skating:
• Wear skates that fit comfortably and provide enough ankle support to keep you on
your feet.
• Have the blades professionally sharpened at the beginning of each season.
• Skate only on specially prepared skating areas where you are sure the ice is strong
enough to withstand your weight.
• Always check for cracks, holes.
• Before setting out on your skating expedition, learn basic skating skills, such as
how to stop and fall safely, to avoid accidents.
• Wear warm clothing and rest when you become tired or cold.
• Never skate alone. Or, use the buddy system.
Prevention:
Sledding:
Sled only in designated areas free of fixed objects such as trees, posts and fences.
Make sure that all children in sledding areas are supervised by parents or adults.
Kids must sit in a forward-facing position, steering with their feet or a rope tied to the steering handles of the sled. No one should sled head-first down a slope.
Do not sled on slopes that end in a street, drop-off, parking lot, river or pond.
The Orthopedists add a second set of rules, which they label"preferred":
Children under 12 years old should sled wearing a helmet.
Wear layers of clothing for protection from injuries.
Do not sit/slide on plastic sheets or other materials that can be pierced by objects on the ground.
Use a sled with runners and a steering mechanism, which is safer than toboggans or snow disks.
Sled in well-lighted areas when choosing evening activities.
Prevention:
Skiing:
Safety on the slopes is everyone's responsibility. Ski safely-not only for yourself, but for others as well.
Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid objects.
People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
Do not stop where you obstruct the trail or are not visible from above.
Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, yield to others.
Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
Observe all posted signs and warnings.
Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
Prior to using any lift, you must know how to load, ride, and unload safely.
Exercise in moderation.
Drink more water than usual. When you combine altitude with physical exertion, you need to drink before you get thirsty.
Eat food high in carbohydrates, such as grains, pasta, fruits and vegetables and avoid salty foods.
- Limit alcohol consumption. It's tempting to party the evening you roll into a ski town. However, drinking alcohol and cheating yourself on sleep the night before you ski is a big mistake. Use common sense.
Prevention:
- Dont drink alcohol
- Never ride alone
- Dress safely for survival
- Slow down at appropriate times
- Know your surroundings
- Stay on the right side of the road
- Stay on the designated trail
- Make sure you have appropriate gear for when on ice, or above water
- Watch weather and the conditions of the trails
- Oncoming snowmobiles
- Unforeseen obstacles beneath snow
- Unexpected corners, intersections and stops
- Road and railway crossings
- Logging/Forestry operations
- Snow banks and drifting snow
- Trees and branches on the trail
- Bridges and approaches
- Wildlife and domestic animals
- Other trail users (skiers, hikers)
Prevention:
Get in shape: Be sure to follow a regular fitness program before heading to the mountains. A basic layer of conditioning will strengthen muscles and build endurance that will help prevent injuries. Check your equipment: A bindings check is always a smart move. Roughly half of all injuries are due to improper binding performance. While you're at it, make sure all of your ski and boarding gear is in tip-top shape. Know your limits: Snowboard at your appropriate level. Beginners should avoid advanced runs. Warm up: Before you hop from the car to the chairlift, don't forget to do a little stretching before to loosen and warm up your cold muscles. Focus on calves, hamstrings, quadriceps as well as your shoulders. Hydrate: When you're fixated on getting in as many runs as possible, sometimes you forget to stay hydrated. Don't forget to drink plenty of fluids as the day goes along. Being dehydrated can lead to fatigue. Avoid the "one last run" syndrome: You think you've got just one more run in you before you call it day. If you're legs are feeling heavy, it's better to make a beeline to the lodge instead of the chairlift. If a mishap does occur on the hill, make sure that your body is fully recovered before your next trip up to the mountains.
Facts
- In the years of 2011/2012, there were 7,579,000 snowboarders.
- 144,000 injuries from snow skiing
- 148,000 injuries from snow boarding
- 58,500 injuries from ice skating
- Avalanche-related = 8 deaths
- Skiing/snowboarding = 6 deaths
- Snowmobile-related = 5 deaths
Skiing accident
Watch out for others
Skiing accident
Don't do things you know you can't physically do
Snowmobiling accident
Be responsible
Ice Skating
Watch where your going
Sledding
Be careful of your surroundings
Sledding
Know where your going, and watch the ice for any holes
Snowboarding
Know what your doing
Snowmobiling
Watch out for thin ice
PLAY IT SAFE
Don't take risks...
Bibliography
http://www.gorp.com/weekend-guide/travel-ta-snow-sports-family-sidwcmdev_053088.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/snowandski/9870773/Is-skiing-too-dangerous-for-young-children.html http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snowmobiling/safety.html http://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/ski_and_snowboard_safety_tips/