The Ski Helmet Debate

Did you hear about the chap that lost his teeth Tignes, its turns out he forgot to glue them in. Yes, I have several thousand gumsheilds in stock, cheques made payable to. :D

AlistairS wrote:Tony H - I refer you to read the content of the message! At my age, fashion is not my priority but reducing risk/s is. I ski with a group of upto thirty. ou

I've been wondering about this. Any stats on serious accident/death comparing solo skiers to those in groups? Personally this seems one of the biggest risks on the slopes.

Hi Tino,
We don't ski in formation ) It is a mixed ability group with the biggest group of about 6 that ski together at any one time. I don't think we have raised the body count as yet however, we are always on the look out for the odd lone skier! :lol:

Here's more detail on the snowboarder who drowned :cry:
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/22264086/detail.html

Trencher

Hi Trencher, how unlucky is that! The guide must be going through hell as well. :cry:

I don't wear a helmet, not because I don't think they are a good idea, but because I wouldn't know where to end in terms of what safety equipment to wear or carry with me. Heads are important, but the most recent English skiing fatality had her aorta severed. The other most recent I can recall fell down crevasses or were taken away by avalanches. I'm always seeing people on crutches from skiing accidents, or with bandaged wrists or fingers from boarding accidents. Helmets save lives, I'm sure, but so does careful skiing within your limits with full awareness of all the risks around you. I wouldn't let my kids ski without a helmet, but I'm not about to join them... well at least until they work out I'm setting a bad example!

nicoatridge wrote:I don't wear a helmet, not because I don't think they are a good idea, but because I wouldn't know where to end in terms of what safety equipment to wear or carry with me. Heads are important, but the most recent English skiing fatality had her aorta severed. The other most recent I can recall fell down crevasses or were taken away by avalanches. I'm always seeing people on crutches from skiing accidents, or with bandaged wrists or fingers from boarding accidents. Helmets save lives, I'm sure, but so does careful skiing within your limits with full awareness of all the risks around you. I wouldn't let my kids ski without a helmet, but I'm not about to join them... well at least until they work out I'm setting a bad example!

EDIT sorry this came off as a bit combative. i didn't mean it to, and I respect your views.

It's easy to point out the headlines and say these are rare occurrences , but there are thousands of minor head traumas on the slopes every single day. The mounting evidence is that even quite minor head traumas have cumulative, and permanent effects on brain function. I could skis in a manor where I would never fall, and would be bored to tears. Novices have no choice, but to accept some falls if they want to learn. Then there are the pure accidents where careful skiers and boarders still end up colliding, or falling. Safety through careful skiing is like low tar cigarettes, better but it's still denying the odds.

I think experienced adults should have the choice to wear, or not wear head protection, but they shouldn't deny the the added risk.

Trencher

For me a do feel safer with a helmet on, maybe that's foolish, maybe not. But even though i have skied for a fair while i always like to push that bit harder (in the right areas) & tend to have the odd stack. A few times a helmet has stopped me having a headache. I do think its the choice of the individual, however i fail to see any real reason why people would not want to wear one.