Ski helmets proven to reduce head injuries

Liz — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:16:17 +0000

Every ski trip we go on I seem to notice more and more people wearing helmets. On our most recent trip we took along several friends and by the end of the trip two non helmet wearers had been converted and purchased helmets in the local ski shop in La Plagne Centre. However there are still some people that believe, much like some do about bike helmets, that ski helmets can do more harm than good.

There has now been a study that proves that helmets reduce skiers’ and snowboarders’ risk of head injury by 35 percent and don’t increase the risk of neck injury.

Some people believe that helmets may increase the risk of neck injury when skiers and snowboarders fall, particularly children, who have a greater head-to-body ratio.

The Ski-C girls in the now obligatory helmets

In this study, Canadian researchers analyzed the findings of 12 studies conducted in Asia, Europe and North America and concluded that helmets were beneficial.

“The use of helmets significantly protects against head injuries among skiers and snowboarders,” wrote Brent Hagel, of Alberta Children’s Hospital, and colleagues. “Risks of head injury can be reduced by 35 percent.”

“Based on this evidence, we encourage helmet use,” they concluded.

The study was published Feb. 1 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Data from numerous countries suggest that head injuries account for up to 19 percent and neck injuries up to 4 percent of all ski and snowboard injuries reported by ski patrols and emergency departments. Among skiers and snowboarders, traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and serious injury.

Reviews of our helmets – Red Avid and Giro Encore 2. Buy ski helmets at Snow and Rock.

Red Avid helmet review

Liz — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:36:08 +0000

: Red Avid Helmet

This season I decided for the first time that I would wear a helmet on the piste. Being the picky skiier that I am, I couldn’t just buy one, I went to Ellis Brigham and tried on every single helmet available!

As this was my first time wearing a helmet, I was keen to find something that I would barely notice. Whilst trying on the range of helmets I noticed that even though many fitted some had padding that dug in, some were tight at the front and loose at the back. It all goes to prove that you really need to get trying on helmets and not just ordering them online.

Eventually after what seemed an age (and it probably was about 40 minutes) I decided on the Red Avid helmet. There is actually a female equivalent of this helmet, the Red Hifi, but I felt the Avid had a better fit on my head. Out of all the helmets I tried which included the Giro range, the Bern Muse, the Saloman Ranger Custom Air and a selection of Protec helmets, the Red Avid was the lightest by far and noticeably so too, it weighs in at 340g (weighed scientifically by my kitchen scales!). The Red Avid cost £69.95 which is a mid range helment.

So, on our recent trip to the Three Valleys I got to try the helmet out properly. On the first day I told myself that if I didn’t get on with it, I’d ditch it. But….. much to my surprise it fitted perfectly, didn’t annoy me and by the end of the day I’d kind of forgotten it was on my head! For anyone out there looking for a helmet, I highly recommend the Red Avid. It’ll now become a regular fixture on my head, and I’m sure one day I’ll be grateful that I made the decision to wear one.

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Ski helmets proven to reduce head injuries

Red Avid helmet review