Helmets: Not Just for Cycling

January 2000 - Helmets: Not Just for Cycling

by Richard H. Middleton, Jr. & Leah S. Guerry

Just like bicyclists, more and more skiers and snowboarders are wearing helmets to help protect them from head injuries in the event of a crash, with good reason.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 188 skiing and snowboarding-related deaths from 1990 to 1997. The agency concluded that 108 of the deaths were attributable, in part, to head injuries. Eighty-four of these deaths were attributed solely to head injury. Head injuries associated with skiing and snowboarding for 1997 alone tallied 17,5000. A recent CPSC study concluded that nearly 8,000 of these injuries - and 11 deaths -- could be prevented or reduced in severity each year simply by using skiing or snowboarding helmets.

"[Helmet] sales are going up, no question about it," says Bill Clapper, associate director of communications and public relations for the trade association SnowSports Industries America (SIA).

Helmet sales tracked by SIA from August 1, 1998, through March 31, 1999, show that alpine sports specialty stores sold 267,035 helmets, and larger sporting goods chain/department stores sold 29,586 helmets. Sales of alpine sports helmets have been on the rise for several years, and, says Clapper, anecdotal reports from SIA members indicate sales picked up considerably after the skiing deaths last January of Sonny Bono and Michael Kennedy.

Clapper says of the two high-profile fatal crashes, "Even if they were wearing helmets, it may not have made a difference. A helmet is an added level of protection, but an out-of-control skier may slam his whole body into a tree," which, he explains, can lead to severe internal injuries of the whole body, not just the head area. He cautions, "A helmet is a good idea, but if you're going to be irresponsible, no helmet will save your life."

According to the CPSC it is important to wear a helmet appropriate for each activity in which you participate. That means horseback riders have different helmet needs from All terrain vehicle (ATV) riders, and skiers and snowboarders have different needs from bicyclists.

Clapper says bike injuries typically involve someone flipping over the handle bars and landing on the top or front of their head. For skiers or snowboarders, says Clapper, there is less worry of physically pitching over the top of an object as there is of going off-trail and hitting trees, rocks and branches - objects with sharper angled surfaces, as opposed to flat pavement.

The outer shell of alpine sports helmets, says Clapper, "is very hard, so if you're skiing through trees, branches will be deflected."

In addition, wearing a hat underneath an alpine helmet is not advised, so the helmet alone must keep the user's head warm. Special materials in the helmet's inner layer provide warmth. However, some users have complained about the heat generated inside alpine helmets. Now manufacturers are engineering the helmets so that wearers can regulate the airflow inside the helmet.

The SIA offers the following tips for buying, renting and wearing helmets:

The right fit is key: The helmet should fit snugly, but not too tightly. Some helmets initially seem tight, but after you wear them they will loosen to a snug fit as the inner liner conforms to your head.

Rent or demo: Try out a helmet for a couple of hours if you can. (If you're worried about the previous wearer's hygiene, buy an inexpensive, thin head covering to wear under the helmet).

Remember your eye protection: Take all goggles, glasses and sunglasses with you to try on helmets. Make sure the helmet doesn't press parts of your glasses/goggles into your head.

Clothing layers: You may need one less layer of clothing since the helmet is designed to keep the head warm (and most body heat is lost through your head.

Check the temperature: On warm days you might want to give yourself a "breeze break" while you ride the lifts.

In addition, make sure your helmet is marked as meeting the Snell Memorial Foundation protective headgear standards and the new standards proposed by the American Standard for Testing Material (ASTM).

For more information check out SIA.

Richard H. Middleton, Jr., president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, is a partner in the Savannah, GA, law firm of Middleton, Mathis, Adams & Tate, P.C.

Leah S. Guerry is the executive director of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association.

Reprinted with permission of Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, P. O. Box 4289, Baton Rouge; (225) 383-5554 or (800) 354-6267.