| Snowboarding is an exhilarating winter sport that | | | | one. Also, try different manufacturers. The helmets |
| more and more young people are gravitating to each | | | | from one manufacturer may fit your head better |
| year. While exciting, however, it can also be a | | | | than another one. Try the helmet on with all the |
| dangerous sport if necessary precautions are not | | | | headgear that you normally wear, including goggles. |
| taken. This is especially true for beginners who have | | | | The helmet should fit snug - but not tight. |
| not yet learned the basics of snowboarding. | | | | Also, look for a helmet that has the ASTM F2040 |
| The most common snowboarding injuries tend to be | | | | certification sticker. ASTM is a voluntary standards |
| sprains - normally in the arms and wrists since | | | | organization that sets standards for thousands of |
| beginners tend to break their falls with their hands. | | | | products and materials. The presence of a ASTM |
| The most dangerous type of injury, however, by a | | | | F2040 sticker certifies that the helmet meets the |
| huge margin is the risk of a concussion. Especially, | | | | minimum performance specifications required to |
| among snowboarders who refuse to wear helmets. | | | | prevent or reduce the severity of injuries to the |
| A concussion is a traumatic injury to the brain caused | | | | head while participating in extreme sports such as |
| by a blow to the head. In snowboarding, this can | | | | snowboarding and skiing. |
| easily happen by a collision with a skier or another | | | | ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary |
| snowboarder, a fall to the ground, or an impact with | | | | standards development organizations in the world-a |
| a tree. Signs of a concussion include feeling dizzy or | | | | trusted source for technical standards for materials, |
| disoriented, having an urge to throw up, or | | | | products, systems, and services. |
| experiencing blurred vision. If you have any of these | | | | There is a flip side to wearing helmets, however. |
| symptoms after a collision, you should seek | | | | Snowboarders who wear helmets typically tend to |
| immediate medical help. | | | | go faster than those without helmets, no doubt |
| Without a helmet, the head and brain take the full | | | | thinking themselves safe from injury. But the |
| impact of the blow which can be so intense that it | | | | increased speed means than if they do have a |
| leads to long-term or even permanent injury. A | | | | collision, they are hitting at a greater force which in |
| helmet acts to diffuse the impact by taking the brunt | | | | many cases is more than enough to offset the |
| of the impact itself, so instead of the energy being | | | | effect of wearing a helmet in the first place. |
| concentrated on one spot, it spreads over a larger | | | | Bottom line - A bad concussion can end your |
| area. Even with a hard blow where the helmet will | | | | snowboarding fun forever. A helmet cannot |
| not be able to absorb the full impact itself, it will | | | | guarantee that you won't suffer a head injury, but it |
| most likely absorb enough of it to prevent you from | | | | does reduce the odds significantly. Wearing a properly |
| suffering brain damage. | | | | fitted helmet is a very small price to pay to increase |
| But don't just choose the first stylish helmet that you | | | | the odds that you'll continue to have fun on the |
| see. Try on several different styles before choosing | | | | slopes in years to come. |