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Many of the skiers are not wearing helmets, as they are “not cool”. However, there seems to be a change in that. More and more skiers are growing to love the idea.
An estimated number of 40% of all skiers use helmets these days.
The subject resurfaced again after Geoffrey Bradeen, 45, from Portland Oregon, died Jan 5th of a head injury .He was skiing at Mount Hood Meadows.
He was apparently hit by a snowboarder from behind, as he was getting up.
Dr. Karen Gunson , Oregon’s medical examiner, said a helmet would have likely saved Bradeen’s life, who died of a scull fracture.
Studies show that collisions are rare, and the percentage of collisions are very small in ski accidents.
Most skiing and snowboarding accidents happen when hitting a tree or other objects at high speed, causing torso or chest injuries, that means a helmet would only do some good…
562 deaths were examined from 1991 through 2005, and it was found that 60% of the deaths were caused when a skier or a snowboarder hit a tree.
Hitting the snow is the second biggest killer, with 9.7%, and the third killer is when people are hitting the snow.
Although the number of deaths a year hasn’t changed, it was found that the number of people wearing a helmet grew up by 5% a year.
A study by the US Consumer Products Safety Commission shows that 44% of 17,500 head injuries caused to skiers and snowboarders in ‘97 could have been reduced or even prevented by using a helmet. It may even be able to reduce up to 11 deaths a year.
Many Meadows users have said that since Bradeen’s death, they feel as if snowboarders are more dangerous to other skiers, particularly on crowded weekends. Since snowboarders are riding sideways on their boards, they have a blind spot when they turn toward their heels.
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In January 2010 I was blindsided by a snowboarder while skiing. I am recovering from multiple pelvic fractures. I was wearing a helmet and sustained a mild concussion. Certainly the helmet protected me from more severe head impact. The head blow was most likely from hitting the semi hard groomed snow after the collision. I have no noticable after effects from the conncussion.
Pete
OOOh, that sound unpleasant, to put it lightly. Glad to hear you are recovering and that the helmet did what it was suppose to.
Hope you’ll be back on the slopes in no time.
I always try to wear a helmet in a teaching setting hoping the students will too. Wearing a helmet when with others a person cares about may encourage them to wear a competent brain bucket too.