Participating in recreational activities especially popular ones such as skiing and snowboarding is an exhilarating and enjoyable experience. However, the physical demand these sports place on the body coupled with the extreme environmental conditions greatly increase the chances of injury. During 2016-17 alone, around 17,660 people were hospitalized due to sports injuries throughout Canada.
Preventing serious injuries doesn’t mean you shouldn’t participate in recreational activities. Rather, effective safety measures should be adopted to minimize the risk of injuries. In this blog, we highlight a few ways you can avoid injuries during popular recreational activities such as skiing and snowboarding.
Causes of Injury
Most injuries related to snow sports can be traumatic owing to the dangerous terrain, collisions, lift accidents, and falls. In many cases, it was discovered that fatigue and exhaustion were responsible for poor judgments which lead to serious injuries. Some common reasons for such injuries include:
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Drifting off into forbidden areas
- Faulty equipment
- Not taking a break
- Performing manoeuvres beyond one’s ability
- Failure to adhere to safety guidelines
These factors are responsible for a number of problems including fractures in the lower extremities, head injuries, shoulder dislocations and separation, spinal and ACL ligament injuries, and injuries to the hand, wrists or fingers.
Ways to Prevent Injuries
Fortunately, most injuries are treatable with the help of proper rest, medication, bracing, and avoiding further accidents. Severe cases that include ligament injuries and fractures may require surgeries with recovery periods ranging from 3 to 6 months or more. The following are a few effective ways of remaining safe:
- Following instructions and using equipment: Getting educated about safe skiing techniques, the proper way of warming up, and using safety equipment is especially important for beginners. Using the right equipment is crucial for remaining safe as improper adjustment and poor functioning are known cases in accidents. Also, using improper equipment or bindings that are too tight or too loose can also cause injuries. Utilizing safety equipment such as helmets, knee pads, and wrist pads are highly recommended and might just end up saving your life.
- Basic precautions: Most accidents are known to take place just after lunch or when individuals are fatigued. It’s common sense to remain hydrated and to take rest every couple of hours.
- Safety Personnel:Parents and instructors play a key role in educating young people regarding safety practices. Their presence is also necessary to lower the risk of injuries and provide the required assistance in case of accidents.
With so much sports-related injuries taking place each year, it’s absolutely vital for both young and old people to be knowledgeable regarding first aid. Metro Safety Training provides first-aid training in Vancouver. It has safety courses that range from basic to advance. Contact us today for more information.
