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A common rule of thumb is to replace your helmet every five years, but it’s also important to keep an eye out for specific warning signs.Ski helmets are designed to withstand more than one very minor hit. However, a ski helmet MUST be replaced if it has been involved in a serious crash, or if it is damaged.Ski helmets are made from materials that wear and weaken over time. This is the case with the EPS foam that makes up the inner part of your helmet. Its role is to absorb shock in the event of a fall or collision. But over time, storage conditions and small daily shocks can alter the initial characteristics of EPS.
Contents
When should I replace my snow helmet?
Ski helmets are designed to withstand more than one very minor hit. However, a ski helmet MUST be replaced if it has been involved in a serious crash, or if it is damaged.
Do Ski helmets degrade over time?
Ski helmets are made from materials that wear and weaken over time. This is the case with the EPS foam that makes up the inner part of your helmet. Its role is to absorb shock in the event of a fall or collision. But over time, storage conditions and small daily shocks can alter the initial characteristics of EPS.
How do you clean the inside of a ski helmet?
Liner. The removable liner can simply be machine-washed at 30°C or by hand using a mild soap and water.
Should you wear a ski helmet?
You should definitely wear a helmet when skiing. Wearing a helmet will help protect you from small cuts and bruises e.g. from tree branches, but will also reduce the incidence and severity of head injuries like severe concussions, fracture of the skull and even death.
When should I replace my helmet?
The government testing body in the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), recommends replacing a bicycle helmet every five to 10 years. The Snell Memorial Foundation, which also certifies helmets for safety, states a firm five years.
How long do ski goggles last?
Ideally, your ski goggles could last 5-8 years. Realistically, though, they’ll probably last closer to 4 or 5 years. You can increase their life expectancy by keeping them in their case or goggle bag when you aren’t wearing them and not touching the inside of the lenses.
How long do ski boots last?
—Jill K. Ski boot technology may not change as fast as ski technology, but ski boots do have a shelf life. Manufacturers say that boots should last about 200 skier days, though ski boot liners tend to pack out well before then, even before the shell begins to lose its integrity.
Can ski helmets be recycled?
The helmet shell and liner are both recyclable, and just to be sure that it’s done right, Dashel will oversee the recycling process themselves.
Do snowmobile helmets expire?
Just the natural wear and tear this sport puts on a snowmobile helmet causes resins, glues, and foam padding essential to the helmet’s protective function to degrade over time. Like anything else, they just wear out. But that’s still not the main purpose of the 3-5-year recommendation.
How do I keep my helmet from smelling?
Usually, I’ve found that soaking a helmet in a bucket of warm water with Dawn detergent, then rinsing thoroughly and drying it takes care of 95 percent of the problem. You might also try diluted Lysol or Pine Sol. The Lysol in particular will kill the smell-making bacteria.
How do you get rid of smelly helmets?
- Take the helmet apart. …
- Soak the helmet in soap solution. …
- Gently exfoliate the dirt and grime. …
- Allowed helmet to dry naturally. …
- Assemble the helmet. …
- Deodorise- whenever you get a chance!
How do I keep my helmet clean?
Just take the pads and lining out of your helmet soak them into a solution of baby shampoo for about 30 minutes. Clean it with water and let it dry normally under the sun. If the inner lining and pads cannot be removed, then dip the entire helmet in a big bucket of foam created using baby shampoo.
What percentage of skiers wear helmets?
Overall, 80 percent of skiers and snowboarders wear a helmet, according to the study.
What is the most common ski injury?
The knee, with 27% to 41% of injuries, remains the most common site for skiing-related injury. And the most common injuries are ligamentous, namely those affecting the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and/or the medial collateral ligament (MCL).
Do most skiers wear helmets?
Nonetheless, more than 80 percent of skiers and snowboarders wore helmets during the 2017-2018 season. The rise in helmet use is welcome news for specialists in sports medicine and traumatic brain injury prevention, says Jessie Oldham, a postdoctoral researcher who focuses on sport-related concussion.
How long is a snowboarding helmet good for?
A common rule of thumb is to replace your helmet every five years, but it’s also important to keep an eye out for specific warning signs.
Do snowmobile helmets expire?
Just the natural wear and tear this sport puts on a snowmobile helmet causes resins, glues, and foam padding essential to the helmet’s protective function to degrade over time. Like anything else, they just wear out. But that’s still not the main purpose of the 3-5-year recommendation.
How long does a Bern helmet last?
To maximize helmet and brain safety, we recommend that you replace your helmet every three years.
How long do ski boots last?
—Jill K. Ski boot technology may not change as fast as ski technology, but ski boots do have a shelf life. Manufacturers say that boots should last about 200 skier days, though ski boot liners tend to pack out well before then, even before the shell begins to lose its integrity.
3 Signs You Need a New Ski Helmet | Team Wendy
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3 Signs You Need a New Ski Helmet | Team Wendy
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3 Signs You Need a New Ski Helmet | Team Wendy
Updating Three questions you should ask yourself as you evaluate your ski helmet to ensure peak protection this ski season. - Table of Contents:
how often should i replace my ski helmet
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When to change the helmet
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- Table of Contents:
CHANGE YOUR HELMET EVERY 5 YEARS
CHANGE YOUR HELMET IF IT HAS RECEIVED A SHOCK OR A COLLISION
ADVICE
CHANGE A CHILD’S HELMET MORE OFTEN
DID YOU KNOW
Chloé
How do I clean my ski helmet | uvex sports
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Should I wear a helmet when skiing? – Slope Runner
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Why should I wear a helmet when skiing
How does a ski helmet protect you
What other benefits are there to wearing a ski helmet
Are helmets necessary when skiing The conclusion
How often should you replace a ski helmet? – Quora
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- Summary of article content: Articles about How often should you replace a ski helmet? – Quora The general recommendation is after 3-5 years. This is actually similar to the advice about helmets for other sports. The reason is that the shell foam … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How often should you replace a ski helmet? – Quora The general recommendation is after 3-5 years. This is actually similar to the advice about helmets for other sports. The reason is that the shell foam … As suggested before all sports’ helmets have a shelf life. But the main reason might be as simple as how good does it still look? I remember the guy who taught me how to ride a motorbike: “what’s the best thing about this bike” he asked me. I thou…
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How Often Should I Replace My Helmet? – Outside Online
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- Summary of article content: Articles about How Often Should I Replace My Helmet? – Outside Online “No need to replace after hits unless the hits are very severe or repetitive in high numbers. Replace after two to five seasons for maximum … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How Often Should I Replace My Helmet? – Outside Online “No need to replace after hits unless the hits are very severe or repetitive in high numbers. Replace after two to five seasons for maximum … We all know the right helmet can save your life. But the world’s most sophisticated lid isn’t much better than an egg carton strapped to your head if it’s
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What You Need to Know
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When to change the helmet
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- Summary of article content: Articles about When to change the helmet Although there is no legal obligation of the specific moment, ski helmet manufacturers and resellers will encourage you to change your equipment every 5 years, … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for When to change the helmet Although there is no legal obligation of the specific moment, ski helmet manufacturers and resellers will encourage you to change your equipment every 5 years, … Wearing a helmet is important for safe skiing, but a ski helmet may not protect you as well in the event of an impact if the helmet is in bad condition.It is important to know when to change a ski helmet so that you can continue to enjoy the fun of skiing serenely.
- Table of Contents:
CHANGE YOUR HELMET EVERY 5 YEARS
CHANGE YOUR HELMET IF IT HAS RECEIVED A SHOCK OR A COLLISION
ADVICE
CHANGE A CHILD’S HELMET MORE OFTEN
DID YOU KNOW
Chloé
When Should I Replace My Helmet?
– Bern Helmets
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– Bern Helmets To maximize helmet and brain safety, we recommend that you replace your helmet every three years. This will increase the likelihood that you have a … … - Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for When Should I Replace My Helmet?
– Bern Helmets To maximize helmet and brain safety, we recommend that you replace your helmet every three years. This will increase the likelihood that you have a … This is a common question we get from all types of riders wondering: When should I replace my bike helmet?How often should I replace my snowboard helmet?Is my ski helmet too old?Does my helmet need to be replaced? No matter where you’re using a helmet, you need to make sure that it can properly protect your head and br - Table of Contents:
how often should i replace my ski helmet
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- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for how often should i replace my ski helmet Helmet fit can change if your child’s or teen’s hair changes. For example, a long-haired skier who gets a very short haircut may need to adjust the fit …
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How Long Do Ski Helmets Last? – Heads Don’t Bounce – Wear a helmet!
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Anatomy Of A Ski Helmet
EPS and EPP Foam Linings
How Often To Replace Ski Helmets
When To Replace A Ski Helmet
To Summarize
Conclusion
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Do Snowboard Helmets Expire
1 Stop Wearing Your Snowboard Helmets When They’re Out of Date
2 Discard Your Snowboard Helmet After Two to Five Seasons
3 Replace a Snowboard Helmet After a Crash
4 It’s Not Safe To Use a Second-Hand Snowboard Helmet
5 There Are Risks If You Use an Expired or Ineffective Helmet
Tips on Maintaining a Snowboard Helmet
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3 Signs You Need a New Ski Helmet
If you’ve used the same ski helmet several seasons in a row, it might be time for a replacement
1. Has the helmet been involved in a crash?
2. Does your helmet pass the eye test?
Shell: The shell is not cracked or dented. Shroud: The shroud is not cracked or otherwise damaged. Accessory Rails: Ski helmet accessory rails on the M-216™ Backcountry Ski SAR are not cracked or otherwise damaged. Both mounting nuts are securely fastened on each rail. Impact Liner: Impact liner is not cracked or otherwise damaged. Comfort liner is not torn or otherwise damaged. Retention – Fidlock® Magnetic Buckle: Magnet engages, straps slide freely and strap guides lock securely. Retention – BOA® Fit System: Headband tightens when dial is engaged and rotated; headband loosens freely when dial tension is released. Retention Attachment: Front strap sections are securely held around the metal bar inside the inner shell. Rear strap sections are securely held under the W plate in the back of the outer shell. Retention Webbing/Stitching: All webbing is free of tears and abrasion marks. All stitches are secure.
3. Have you taken care of your helmet?
There is no such thing as an indestructible helmet, but the best ski helmets can drastically reduce the odds of sustaining a concussion or traumatic brain injury. Helmets, however, need to be cared for. Especially if they’re used every season. A common rule of thumb is to replace your helmet every five years, but it’s also important to keep an eye out for specific warning signs.For instance, has your helmet been recalled? Safety recalls are fairly common but can pass by without our knowledge. You can search for recalls here It may also be time for a replacement if you decorated your helmet. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that adding paint or even ski helmet stickers can affect a helmet’s safety level.Here are three other questions you should ask yourself to ensure peak protection this ski season.Did you wipe out last year? Most ski helmets are designed to withstand one impact to the head. Their effectiveness reduces sharply after that. If you hit your head while traveling at high speed, you should retire your helmet immediately – even if it still appears to be serviceable. You want to be proactive about a replacement after a serious collision.The CDC warns not to use a helmet without an ASTM label, which certifies a helmet for skiing after it has passed various impact tests. The Team Wendy M-216™ and M-216™ Backcountry Ski SAR helmets both have that label. They are rated to the ASTM F2040-18 (Recreational Snow Sports) and BS EN 1077:2007 Class B (Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding) standards. We previously explored these standards in detail.It may sound obvious, but take some time to look over your helmet before wearing it. Major cracks might stand out, but hairline fractures are easily missed.For convenience, our helmets come with an inspection checklist. Your helmet should clear each of the inspection points below.When not in use, the CDC recommends that all helmets be stored in a cool, dry location. Don’t leave your helmet in the back of your car. Extreme temperatures – either hot or cold – could damage the integrity of the helmet, and you should also avoid storing your helmet in direct sunlight.For the M-216™, we recommend that it be stored in a temperature and humidity-controlled location where temperature is 60-80˚F (15-27˚C) and within 30-65% Relative Humidity.Also, make sure you’ve been washing your helmet properly. Helmets should never be soaked in water. Both versions of the M-216™ come with a lightweight EPS impact liner and a removable and washable comfort liner, plus removable ear padding designed to be comfortable even while using in-ear communication systems for ski helmet audio. These materials should be hand washed with mild soap and warm water. Wring out the excess water and let the ear covers and ski helmet liner air dry away from direct sunlight.When it comes to the helmet shell and interior, you should mix a few drops of mild dish soap in a quart of warm water, then dampen a cloth or sponge in the solution and wipe the helmet clean. Rinse it in clear warm water with a clean soft cloth or sponge and air dry. Once again, helmets should not be dried in direct sunlight.If you’ve cleaned your helmet with hot water, salt water, benzene, gasoline, solvents or other cleaning fluids, then it’s time for a replacement. Those substances can damage your helmet without showing visible signs.Lastly, you’ve probably seen images of football players sitting on their helmets during a break or timeout. They wouldn’t be doing that if they were using ski helmets. The CDC says it’s important not to let anyone sit or lean on a ski helmet. It can compromise the impact liner that may save your life. If this sounds like something you – or your kids – have done, then it’s time to seriously consider investing in a new helmet.Send questions to info[at]teamwendy[dot]com and we may answer them on Above the Brim
How do I clean my ski helmet?
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Should I wear a helmet when skiing?
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Through the years, I’ve heard arguments for and against wearing a helmet while skiing. So I decided to do some research in order to see if I could come up with a definite answer. So should you wear a helmet when skiing?
Yes! You should definitely wear a helmet when skiing. Wearing a helmet will help protect you from small cuts and bruises e.g. from tree branches, but will also reduce the incidence and severity of head injuries like severe concussions, fracture of the skull and even death. You can still get badly injured though, even while wearing a helmet, and most ski resorts don’t require a helmet to be worn for recreational skiing.
Here are five recommended and affordable helmets for skiing: Top 5 affordable ski helmets 2019
Why should I wear a helmet when skiing?
The short answer to, why you should always wear a helmet while skiing, is: for safety reasons!
Even though skiing is pretty safe, there are numerous ways you could get hurt if you’re unlucky. Wearing a helmet could help protect you from some of those injuries.
Luckily, head injuries are rar e, but according to an article in The Guardian (Dillner 2014), head injuries do account for 60 percent of deaths in snow sports.
What are the common ways you can hurt your head while skiing?
Common ways skiers hurt their head include (but are not limited to)…
Falling on flat terrain
Falling – even on flat terrain – or while waiting in line for the chairlift is a common way, skiers tend to hurt themselves.
The flat terrain at bottom of the slopes can often be icy because the snow has been roughed up. And the bottom of many slopes is at low altitudes and thus more prone to melting and freezing over again.
Collisions with trees, rocks or people
Most serious head injuries occur when a skier or snowboarder hits a tree, a rock or has a collision with another person. Most often such collisions happen at high speeds and a ski helmet can’t protect from such serious impacts.
Getting run over by another skier or snowboarder
Technically this is also a collision, but I’ve seen my fair share of skiers getting knocked down or run over by another skier or snowboarder, who was skiing too fast and/or couldn’t or didn’t know how to stop. So even though, you might be skiing responsible, unfortunately, it doesn’t mean that everyone else does too.
Common injuries to the head are facial lacerations, head lacerations, a fractured skull, mild to severe concussions, coma, and death.
What are common arguments for or against helmet use on the slopes?
Trying to put on a stoic look, because this is close to where the the Roman general Hannibal Barca famously led his war elephants across the Alps during the 2nd Punic War in 218 BC.
When I first started skiing in the early 1990s, helmets were a rare sight. I didn’t wear one either.
Since the early 2000s helmets, the number of skiers who wear a helmet has increased a great deal.
An article from 2013 in the New York Times (McMillan 2013) states, that 70 percent of all skiers and snowboarders in the United States are wearing helmets in 2013. That is nearly triple the number compared to 2003.
The article also states, that in the same period of time, there has been no reduction in the number of fatalities or brain injuries related to snow-sports according to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA).
Critics have used this as a way to say, that when wearing a ski helmet apparently makes no difference at all, why should you wear one in the first place?
You should wear one because such logic is false.
Arguments for and against wearing a skiing helmet
First of all, just because more people wear helmets, doesn’t mean that the number of people who fall or have a collision with other skiers or snowboards has dropped.
Second, a ski helmet is no guarantee for not getting a concussion or suffer severe head trauma or even death, just like the airbag in your car is not a guarantee, that you won’t get a concussion or end up dead in a car crash.
After all, if you drive into a tree or have a collision with another car, you might get seriously hurt. Likewise, if you ski headfirst into a tree or have a collision with another person, you’re gonna take some damage. And a ski helmet is not designed to withstand such forces.
Reduced severity of injuries
What is important here is, that the increase in ski helmet use, has reduced the severity of a lot of injuries.
A recent study from 2017 from Children’s Hospital Colorado found, that children who wear a helmet while skiing or snowboarding “sustain less severe head injuries and lower overall injury severity, compared to children who do not wear a helmet.” (Milan et al. 2017):
This reflects the results of a meta-study from 2012 (Haider et al. 2012) which concludes that “the use of safety helmets decreases the risk and severity of head injuries as compared to non-helmeted participants in skiing and snowboarding.”
Does wearing a helmet lead to higher risk-taking?
Critics have stated that wearing a helmet might lead to higher risk-taking, because of a sense of false security.
However, this is not reflected in the study, which states, that the use of safety helmets “does not appear to increase the risk of compensation behavior as compared to non-helmeted participants in skiing and snowboarding.”
Another point, I’ve often seen brought up by critics is, that wearing a helmet should put your neck at risk.
This is also not found to be the case, according to the study, which states, that the “beneficial effects of helmets are not negated by unintended risks as their use does not appear to increase the risk of neck or cervical spine injury as compared to non-helmeted participants in skiing and snowboarding.”
How does a ski helmet protect you?
The traditional ski helmet is designed to protect you by absorbing and spreading out the shock wave, which is caused by the impact with the snow, a tree, a rock or another skier.
Ski helmets are tested at an impact speed of approximately 23 km/h (14 mph). Critics have pointed out, that the average maximum speed of most snowboarders and skiers is double that speed. And some go at speeds much faster.
If you are unlucky and hit a fixed object at such speeds, the impact is likely to be fatal regardless of helmet use.
Traditionally, ski helmets are only tested for direct impacts at specific angles.
However, a lot of head impacts include a rotational element, which is not accounted for. Another problem is, that the tests don’t take into consideration, the effect of your head coming to a sudden stop, during a collision or fall.
Traumatic brain injuries like concussions often include a rotational element after the head has had a sudden change in speed.
In other words, the brain is given a good shake and also rotates inside the skull.
New technology might increase the effect of ski helmets
A recent article from the British newspaper The Telegraph (Weakley 2018) references a study led by Dr. Nicolas Bailly from l’Hôpital de Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Canada, which states, that helmets are in fact not very effective against concussions.
However, the same article also mentions new technologies are being tested, which might be able to mitigate the effects of the sudden change of speed and rotational forces during a fall or collision.
The first technology utilizes the same pliable materials as are used in back protectors. Materials, like D30 mold, to the body and are comfortable to wear. On impact , the material harden s rapidly to absorb and disperse the shock wave.
Ski helmets with MIPS technology
Another technology is called MIPS, which is an abbreviation for Multi-directional Impact Protection System.
MIPS utilizes a low-friction layer inside the helmet over which the outer shell moves after the impact. The effect is a reduction and redirection of the energy caused by the impact.
The MIPS technology is also found in bike-helmets. When I bought a bike-helmet for my son, I went with one with MIPS implemented, because it scored good test results for bike accidents.
The article mentions a third technology as well. The EPS 4D is a technology, which is implemented in the liner of the helmet. It divides the liner into different sections, which on impact changes the shape and compression individually. Because of this it is able to better protect the head, as it moulds itself after how the helmet is hit.
It is yet to early to make any conclusions about whether these new developments within helmet safety technology, will help reduce the number of severe concussions and even deaths sustained from collisions and falls while skiing or snowboarding.
How tight should a ski helmet be?
When you buy a ski helmet, be sure to get one, which fits snugly but isn’t too tight at the same time. The helmet should not be able to move around, so you don’t want any excess space between the helmet and your head.
The helmet should also not leave any space between the helmet and your goggles. Your forehead should at all times be protected from impacts and frost. But the helmet should not press down on your goggles either. If it does, either the helmet or the goggle is probably too big.
The chin strap should fit comfortably against your chin and throat but should be tight enough, to keep the helmet in place, when you fall.
As with all ski equipment, the color is the last thing, you should decide upon.
What other benefits are there to wearing a ski helmet?
Ski helmets are nice to wear when it gets cold. And they’re a good place to store your goggles, so they’re always within arms reach when it suddenly starts to snow.
Besides reducing the severy of a range of injuries, you could sustain from skiing, there are actually some other nice benefits to wearing a helmet.
The first benefit to strapping a ski helmet on your noggin is, that it will keep you nice and warm.
While it isn’t true, that you lose 40-50 percent of your body heat through the head (the right number is somewhere between 7-10 percent), wearing a helmet is still an excellent way to keep your head nice and warm.
Ski helmets don’t get wet and take a long time to dry as some hats do.
I’ve also found, that a lot of knitted hats or hats made from fleece don’t do a very good job at protecting you against the wind. So while they might keep you warm, when you stand still, as soon as you start skiing downhill, the wind will go through the fabric and your ears and forehead starts to freeze.
Just make sure your helmet has some ear guards, to keep your ears warm, and make sure those ear guards have holes in them, so you can still hear whats going on around you (like other skiers or riders coming up from behind you).
Ski helmets are excellent at keeping your ski goggles on nice and tight. And when you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a blizzard, the helmet and goggles do a good job at closing the gap between your eyes and top of the head, thus keeping your forehead warm.
The front of the helmet is a good place to put your goggles when you’re not using them.
A ski helmet is also an excellent place to put your GoPro camera.
Are helmets necessary when skiing? The conclusion.
Helmets aren’t necessary when skiing. You could ski naked, if you wanted to, as long as you have a pair of boots and skis.
Helmets aren’t compulsory at most ski resorts for adults either, making it a personal choice for each adult skier, if they want to wear a helmet or not. But at the same time, most ski resorts strongly encourage helmet use.
However, the use of ski helmets is mandatory on a lot of ski resorts for children. This is often attributed to children being more top-heavy, due to the head being relatively larger to the rest of the body when compared to the bodily proportions of an adult.
Here are five recommended and affordable helmets for skiing: Top 5 affordable ski helmets 2019
And skiers competing in races are using helmets too, which makes you think, right?
By now several individual studies have proved, that wearing a ski helmet reduces the severity of a range of head injuries like cuts to the scalp, lacerations and skull fractures.
Wearing a ski helmet is not a carte blanche to start skiing recklessly. And wearing a ski helmet can’t prevent you from getting a severe concussion or ending up in a coma or even ending up dead if you have e.g. a collision with another skier or tree or if you fall and hit your head on a rock.
I prefer to wear a ski helmet these days. Granted, I’ve gotten older and more careful, since I first started out, but I like to believe, that I’ve also gotten wiser.
Was is your opinion on ski helmets? Do you prefer to wear one? And if you don’t, please share your view on the subject. Let me know in the comment section below.
Ski responsible, and be safe.
Sources:
Haider, A., Saleem, T., Bilaniuk, J., and Barraco, R.(2012): An evidence-based review: Efficacy of safety helmets in the reduction of head injuries in recreational skiers and snowboarders. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 73(5):1340–1347, NOV 2012
Dillner, L. (2014): Should I wear a helmet on the ski slopes? In http://theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jan/06/should-i-wear-a-helmet-ski-slopes
Milan, M., Jhajj, S., Stewart, C., Pyle, L., Moulton, S., (2017): Helmet use and injury severity among pediatric skiers and snowboarders in Colorado. Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 2017; 52 (2): 349
McMillan, K. (2013): Ski Helmet Use Isn’t Reducing Brain Injuries. In http://nytimes.com/2014/01/01/sports/on-slopes-rise-in-helmet-use-but-no-decline-in-brain-injuries.html
Weakley, Cat (2018): Research shows ski helmets do not prevent concussion. In http://telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/news/research-shows-ski-helmets-do-not-prevent-concussion
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