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Snowboard Safely
(HealthScoutNews) -- Snowboarding is
one of the fastest-growing winter sports. Snowboarders account
for 20 percent of visitors to ski resorts.
However, like many other fun, popular
sports, snowboarding does have certain risks. To minimize those
dangers, the Medical College of Wisconsin offers some safety advice.
Beginning snowboarders are most
at risk of injury, even though they don't try the kind of difficult
maneuvers done by advanced boarders. Nearly 25 percent of injuries
occur during a snowboarder's first experience, and nearly half
of injuries happen in the first season of snowboarding.
The upper extremities and ankles
are most likely to be injured while snowboarding, compared to
the knees in downhill skiing. Wrist injuries account for about
23 percent of snowboarding injuries, ankle injuries account for
16.7 percent, and knee injuries, 16.3 percent. Other snowboard
injuries include: head injuries, 9.2 percent; shoulder injuries,
8.3 percent; trunk injuries, 7.8 percent; and elbow injuries,
4.4 percent.
Wrist fractures account for about
half of all snowboarding fractures. About half of all snowboarding
ankle injuries are fractures.
Life-threatening snowboarding accidents
are rare and most often involve collisions with trees.
Here are some tips on how to prevent
snowboarding injuries:
- Make sure you're in shape. A
regular fitness program will make it easier for you while you're
snowboarding and will help prevent injuries.
- Use the right equipment, including
the proper kind of snowboarding boots. Beginner snowboarders
should have soft snowboarding boots and an all-purpose snowboard.
- Take lessons from a trained instructor
in good weather.
- Wear wrist guards, especially
if you're a novice snowboarder. If you don't have wrist guards,
keep your hands in a closed fist position. That will prevent
you from falling on a hyperextended wrist.
- Consider using ski poles, especially
if you're a beginner who is more likely to fall.
- Wear a helmet. For many beginner
snowboarders, the back of the head is a frequent impact area
in falls.
- Go to a skiing area that allows
snowboards. Stay on slopes that have packed snow (avoid icy
slopes) and are not crowded.
More information
Here's more about snowboarding
safety.
Reference
Source 101
For more information on how to prevent other diseases, use
PreventDisease.com's "Quick
Prevention Resources".
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