Head Issues: Winter Sport Safety

Increasing the odds

The winter months are naturally the ones that see the least amount of physical activity from both adults and children, even though winter sports rank as some as the most fun to be had in the snow. However, there are plenty of enthusiasts of winter sports to ensure that hospitals and family doctors are kept busy during the winter season. According to the Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC): brain injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in children and are the leading cause of death among skiers and snowboarders.

Almost all winter sports have a potential for injury to the head. The speeds reached in skiing, sledding (snowmobiling) and tobogganing can be comparable to a car travelling through a school zone. We know the tragedy of human flesh meeting a vehicle so we can imagine the effects of that same flesh hitting a large rock or tree. Brain injuries, if survivable, can lead to further complications in behaviour, memory and learning. Unfortunately they are also sometimes passed off as not serious if symptoms don't show immediately. This can delay treatment and worsen the effects of the injury often to the point of death. All head injuries should be prevented as a first measure with a helmet and safe behaviour but if an accident does occur then the head injury should be seen by a doctor no matter how seemingly insignificant, especially in children.

How to pick a helmet

• Look for a CSA, CE or ASTM certified helmet (Canada, Europe and USA respectively).
• Make sure of a snug fit with room for no more than 1 finger between the strap and the chin. Don't wear a hat underneath the helmet as, according to experts, it affects the fit. There should be no movement of the helmet regardless of how you shake or tilt your head.
• Use a hockey helmet for skating. A hockey helmet/ski helmet has been designed for impacts typically occurring in falls on the ice. Falling on snow, ice or pavement have different points of impact and the helmet design must cater to each type of sport--ice, snow and otherwise (such as bike riding and skateboarding).
• Use a ski helmet for skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing for the same reasons as listed above.
• Don't buy a large helmet hoping the child will 'grow into it'. This is not a one time purchase. 
• Goggle wearers need to ensure that there is no more than 2 fingers width of gap between the helmet and the top of the goggles.
• Know that after an accident the helmet will need to be replaced. As well, the environment will damage the helmet and it must be replaced regularly to ensure adequate head safety.

Right place at the right time

A large part of avoiding injuries while engaging in winter sports is to be sensible and make the right choices when doing them. When skiing, snowboarding or tobogganing, choose hills that are away from roads, parking lots or other danger areas. For skiing, stay upon the marked boundaries and try to ski only on hills that see proper maintenance. 

Natural ice skaters need to ensure that the lakes, ponds and rivers have at least 4 inches of smooth ice before skating on it. As well, if do not venture out on ice after a warming spell of a few days. Just assume it isn't safe and find something else to do. Children need to be aware of skating protocols such as skating in one direction and at the same speed as the rest of the crowd. If they can't keep up, they must skate on the far outside of the circle. 

One last note

Wear the appropriate safety gear depending on your skill level with the sport in question. That could mean anything from goggles to knee pads. While the padding and helmet will help to lessen the effects of any injury, learning how to fall properly will be beneficial as well. Learning how to fall is important for protecting your vulnerable body parts. Remember to keep arms and elbows flexible. It is instinctive to put your arms out to break your fall but by not stiffening up you can avoid a bad wrist fracture. Land first on your hands with flexible elbows bending into the fall; roll onto the back of the shoulder and continue the roll onto the flat of your back, if necessary, to stop movement.

Make sure you take plenty of water with you to avoid dehydration. Even though it is cold out, we still sweat through exertion. Wearing heavy winter clothing and carting about necessary equipment and gear for the sport all ensure you use up a lot of energy so a healthy carb snack along with the water is a good idea.

Have a safe and healthy winter season!