Outdoors Fun

Snowboarding is a great and fun way to spend time outdoors, but it has its risks. Nothing would be worse than returning from a snowboarding trip with a broken leg or sprained wrist. There are a number of common safety measures you can follow to lessen your chances of a snowboarding injury.

The primary way to avoid snowboarding injuries is to make sure you are in shape to ski. Organize for your winter sports trip with a training program designed to increase core stability and muscle mass. Endurance and leg strength is vital to lend a hand in preventing injuries.

Wear suitable layers of clothing that don’t confine your movement. You do not want to be all bulked up and unable to move freely. If you cannot move properly then you cannot snowboard properly, and the entire thrill aspect is gone.

Just like any other sporting activity, warm up and cool down. Before you hit the slopes take some time warming up and stretching to help get your body ready for action.

The top injury that a majority of the snowboarders receive is a wrist injury. Falls are more frequent during snowboarding and the natural response to a fall is to stretch out a hand to break the fall. For this reason fractures of the wrist are a relatively common problem among snowboarders each year. Consider wearing wrist guards as they significantly reduce the incidence of wrist injuries during falls.

Another common injury is head injuries which can lead to serious concussions. Helmets are effective in reducing the incidence of minor concussions during low velocity collisions.

You should buy wrist guards and a helmet before you head to the slopes. You may think you can save the money, but in the end it may cost you thousands in hospital bills and missed work. Don’t borrow equipment from friends; it significantly increases your risk of injury. If you are renting equipment, make sure you rent from a recommended store. Ensure that all the equipment fits properly. This will help avoid serious injuries and unnecessary falls due to non fitting equipment.

Another good tip is to use ‘multi-mode’ release bindings if possible. The superior release available in modern bindings is one big factor that has helped prevent many injuries. Rear release boots can significantly reduce the risk of ACL injury.

Self-test your bindings every day. This is a simple process. Step into the binding and then twist to the side to release the toe-piece under the control mechanism. The heel can be tested by stepping into the binding and leaning forward. Both the toe and heel should be able to release if properly adjusted.

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The Final Suggestion is to follow the FIS Rules for Conduct in Winter Sports.

1. Respect for others: A skier or snowboarder must behave in such a way that he does not endanger or prejudice others.

2. Control of speed when skiing or snowboarding: A skier or snowboarder must always be in control. He must adapt his speed and manner of skiing or snowboarding to his personal ability and to the prevailing conditions of terrain, snow and weather as well as to the density of traffic.

3. Choice of route: A skier or snowboarder coming from behind must choose his route in such a way that he does not endanger skiers or snowboarders ahead.

4. Overtaking: A skier or snowboarder may overtake another skier or snowboarder above or below and to the right or to the left provided that he leaves enough space for the overtaken skier or snowboarder to make any voluntary or involuntary movement.

5. Entering, starting and moving upwards: A skier or snowboarder entering a marked run, starting again after stopping or moving upwards on the slopes must look up and down the slopes that he can do so without endangering himself or others.

6. Stopping on the piste: Unless it is absolutely necessary, a skier or snowboarder must avoid stopping on the piste in narrow places or where visibility is restricted. After a fall in such a place, a skier or snowboarder must move clear of the piste as soon as possible.

7. Climbing and descending on foot: A skier or snowboarder either climbing or descending on foot must keep to the side of the piste.

8. Respect for signs and markings: A skier or snowboarder must respect all signs and markings.

9. Assistance: At accidents, every skier or snowboarder is duty bound to assist.

10. Identification: Every skier or snowboarder and witness, whether a responsible party or not, must exchange names and addresses following an accident.

I hope you learned something that will help you to have a very safe trip. Come home in one piece and start planning the next outing.

You may also enjoy our selection of Snowboarding Videos, some with pretty amazing footage, at the Come and View (Snowboarding) website.