| Ski Helmets are becoming the norm for most skiers | | | | evidence to suggest that wearing a helmet reduces |
| on the slopes. A few years ago the only people that | | | | your vision or impairs your hearing in any way or |
| had a ski helmet on were those you might have | | | | makes you feel off balance. |
| regarded as the more extreme or off-piste skiers. | | | | Fortunately, helmet wearing is on the increase with |
| Now it is quite the norm to wear a helmet whilst | | | | latest figures showing that some 48% of adults now |
| skiing or snowboarding. | | | | wear a helmet whilst skiing with a higher uptake in |
| A helmet will protect your head from most falls or | | | | children and the over 65 age group. The days of |
| collisions with other skiers or obstacles. Your head | | | | wearing a helmet and feeling uncool are fortunately |
| and ultimately your brain are the most important | | | | now gone. Wearing a helmet is regarded as the |
| parts of your body to consider protecting from an | | | | sensible option and amongst younger new entrants |
| injury. Damage to your head or brain can have | | | | to the sport, is regarded in many cases as the norm. |
| serious injury implications, which in some case can be | | | | Helmets come in all shapes, sizes and colours now |
| terminal. Not wearing a helmet while skiing can have | | | | and are made by most of the ski hardware |
| some serious effects on your health should you be | | | | manufacturers along with a number of companies |
| involved in even the slightest accident and hit your | | | | that have made helmets for other sports such as |
| head in some way. The sad death of Natasha | | | | cycling, skateboarding and blading. The design of |
| Richardson earlier this year is a grim reminder that | | | | helmets varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, |
| not wearing a helmet really can have terminal | | | | but purpose of the design is to protect the head |
| consequences. There are many factors surrounding | | | | from most sorts of ski accidents. Designs have now |
| her death including the length of time it took for her | | | | become quite stylish, helmets come in most colours, |
| to receive treatment but one thing is for sure, and | | | | the most popular being black. Some helmets now |
| that is had she been wearing a helmet, the damage | | | | have a visor integrated as part of it that will come up |
| to her head and ultimately her brain may not have | | | | or down as required and negate the need for |
| been so severe. Natasha Richardson is not the only | | | | goggles. |
| high profile person to die from a head related injury | | | | Expect to pay around £80 - £100 for a |
| on the slopes. Other well know people in recent | | | | good average helmet made by someone like Uvex |
| years include Sonny Bono and Michael Kennedy. | | | | who have a very extensive range of ski helmets for |
| A report from the US shows that over 7,000 head | | | | men, women and children. If you want top of the |
| injuries in a season could have been prevented if a | | | | range, expect to pay up to £400 for a |
| ski helmet was worn. The resort of Aspen has made | | | | designer helmet made by a designer company. |
| it compulsory for the 09/10 ski season for all the | | | | Companies like Poc make a good range of helmets |
| employees working on the snow to wear a helmet | | | | that sit in the middle of the price range and again, |
| and it is widely predicted that before long it will | | | | offer all shapes, sizes and colours and some now |
| become compulsory in some places to wear a | | | | with a fancy chin / face guard. |
| helmet. There is now plenty of evidence to show | | | | A good quality helmet will last many years, so think |
| that wearing a helmet will reduce the injury that the | | | | of the purchase of a helmet as an investment in |
| head may sustain in a ski accident. There is no | | | | your safe future. |