Top Reasons To Wear a Helmet When Skiing
Molly Clark
When you were growing up you probably didn’t see that many people on the ski slopes wearing helmets. It wasn’t something that was common until the last decade or so. However, new understanding of the many ways that the brain can be injured has led to more people wearing helmets when they ski and having their kids wear helmets when they ski as well.
Some people say that wearing a helmet is pointless because it won’t stop all head injuries. That’s true, wearing a helmet won’t stop a head injury if you fall when you’re skiing. However, wearing a helmet can increase your chances of surviving a head injury without any serious brain damage. Seatbelts don’t stop car accidents, but very few people get into a car without reaching for a seat belt because they know that a seatbelt can save their life in the event of a car accident. Helmets can save your life on the ski slopes. There are also other reasons why you should wear a helmet when skiing like:
Maintaining Body Heat
When you’re out in the cold you lose a huge amount of body heat through your head and that makes you colder. If you have a well fitted helmet on you can retain that body heat which will make you warmer throughout the day. That means that you can stay out on the slopes longer and get in more ski time. Just make sure that your helmet has proper venting so that you don’t end up overheating and sweating.
Protecting Your Face
When you’re skiing it’s very common for your goggles or sunglasses to slide down your face, especially if you’re going at high speeds down the hill. That can be very dangerous because it can impede your vision and it can leave your eyes unprotected. When your eyes are unprotected you could end up getting snow in your eyes which can actually damage your eyes if you’re traveling at high speeds. Your eyes also can be damaged by wind and sun on the slopes. However, a helmet that fits your head properly and is secured with a chinstrap will hold your goggles or sunglasses in place so that your eyes are protected no matter what the weather is like or how fast you’re skiing.
Increasing Your Visibility
One of the biggest dangers on the slopes is getting knocked over by another skier who didn’t see you until it was too late. If visibility is poor or if the slopes are crowded you may get injured by another skier if they can’t see you. A helmet with reflective patches or bright colors and patterns will make you more visible on the slopes and increase the chances that other skiers will see you. A colorful helmet will also make you more visible to the rescue and EMS teams if you are hurt on the slopes and need a medical or rescue team to come and find out. It just makes sense to protect your eyes, make yourself more visible, and retain more body heat so you can ski safely all day.
This article was created Personal Injury Help (www.personalinjury-law.com), an organization dedicated to providing the public with information about personal injury and safety information. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice, and it is intended for informational use only. Be sure to review your local skiing ordinances to ensure you ski safely and legally!
