Helmets Required For ... ?!

[ricki]

This deals with skiing and snowboarding and results from quite a few accidents in the Alps to adults (?). Anyway, it is for kids, which really is a no brainer for the real young ones given inherent weakness in part of their skull as it develops.

Austrian authorities predict 5,500 serious head injuries on the slopes this season, and Swiss resorts report about 150 cases every day. Josef Schmid, of the Austrian skiing federation, supports making helmets compulsory for all skiers. “We recommend that all skiers wear helmets,” he said. “It’s not just young children — adults also need protection. Wow, surprised by that last part, the good sense part.

Guess what ...

the fatality rate in skiing was credibly
estimated at 0.5 per 100,000 in 2005
the fatality rate in kiteboarding was
estimated to be around 6 to 12 per 100,000 in 2006

Paragliding came in at 88 and driving in the USA at 15 per 100,000 btw


January 18, 2009
New helmet law in the Alps after spate of deaths
Chris Haslam
A new law requiring all children under 14 to wear helmets on the slopes has been rushed into resorts in Austria following the death of a mother in a high-speed collision on the piste. Beata Christandl died of head injuries after a collision with a German politician, Dieter Althaus, at a combined speed of 60mph. Althaus, who was wearing a helmet, survived the impact, but suffered a skull fracture and remains in a coma.

Mrs Christandl is the 17th skier to die in an accident on the piste in Austria this season, and the authorities are under increasing pressure to extend the law to cover snow-sports enthusiasts of all ages. Doctors say sustained sub-zero conditions have created faster pistes, making impacts significantly more severe when skiers collide. Christian Kaulfersch, an A&E doctor, said: “Crashes at 30mph are like falling onto concrete from a second-floor balcony.”

Austrian authorities predict 5,500 serious head injuries on the slopes this season, and Swiss resorts report about 150 cases every day. Josef Schmid, of the Austrian skiing federation, supports making helmets compulsory for all skiers. “We recommend that all skiers wear helmets,” he said. “It’s not just young children — adults also need protection. With the new carving skis, people tend to ski faster and overestimate their abilities. The slopes are very busy; it’s safer for everyone if you wear a helmet.”

Continued at:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tra...cle5531234.ece

[heemskn]

Many kite videos and magazines still show sponsored riders hitting sliders (often poorly built, with sharp exposed edges), or jumping over obstacles, without helmets.

At the cable park they won't let you near a slider without a helmet and vest, because they know from experience there will be accidents and they will get bad publicity or worse, get sued.

It is time that the kiteboarding sponsors, event organizers and magazines start setting better examples.