6 tips for safe snowboarding - KATV - Breaking News, Weather and Razorback Sports

By Gregg Newby, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth

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For many people, winter means snow and snow means snowboarding. This cold-weather sport may be fairly new, but it's quickly become a popular pastime. Not only is snowboarding fast-paced and exciting, it can also give you a good workout.

But if you're planning to hit the slopes, you need to be mindful of safety. Statistically speaking, snowboarding is one of the riskiest of all sports.

You can minimize those risks, though, by taking precautions. Here are six things you must do:

1) Protect your wrists. If you fall, you may instinctively stretch out your hands to catch yourself. Though this may break the fall, it can also sprain or fracture your wrists. Of all snowboarding injuries, this is one of the most common, especially among beginners, who don't know how to keep their balance. One way to help prevent this injury is by wearing wrist guards. Another way is to learn how to fall correctly. Working with a snowboarding instructor can help you master the fine art of recovering safely from a spill.

2) Try to avoid snowboarder's ankle. When snowboarding, your feet are locked in place by non-releasable bindings. Crashing and hard jumping can lead to a common foot injury often called "snowboarder's ankle." Luckily, this painful fracture can often be avoided with hard-shell snowboarding boots. If you've never bought a pair, get someone at a sporting goods store or ski shop to help you find the right shoe. You should never wear ordinary hiking boots out on the slopes.

3) Protect your knees. A collision or sharp turning motion can strain your knees. This usually happens to more experienced snowboarders, because they're the ones tackling the harder tricks. But no matter what your skill level, you should always take basic precautions. Wearing knee pads may help you absorb more impact. So might bending forward while keeping your knees slightly bent whenever you're traveling downhill.

4) Avoid head injuries. You don't need to be going very fast to sustain a serious head injury. In fact, many snowboarders slip and fall just while waiting for the ski lift. That's why you should never hit the slopes without a snowboarding helmet. This special headgear is reinforced at the sides of the head, where most injuries occur. Just remember that it won't make you invincible. If you're going too fast, your helmet loses its effectiveness. For that reason, try to keep at a moderate speed at all times.

5) Steer clear of collisions. Remember, you have to share the slopes with other skiers and snowboarders. The last thing you want to do is run into them. Never go so fast you lose control of your snowboard. You can also buy plenty of extra padding to help minimize impacts. But use judgment when buying this equipment. The jury is still out on how effective some of it is.

6) Guard against the elements. You don't need to have an accident to hurt yourself. Cold weather can take a toll on your body, too. Before heading out, make sure you're properly outfitted.

• Wear gloves and heavy socks to prevent frostbite.
• Bring UV goggles to prevent winter sun glare.
• Use lip balm to protect your lips.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Dress in layers to stay warm.
• Take along a water bottle to prevent dehydration.

Lastly, you need to know what you're doing. Otherwise, all the preparation in the world won't be much help. If you're just starting out, be sure to take a snowboarding class beforehand. That way you can enjoy your time on the slopes, rather than spend it recovering from an injury.

Updated on 02/17/2010

SOURCES:  

• National Safety Council. Ski and snowboard safely. Accessed: 01/17/2010
• National Ski Areas Association. Facts about skiing/snowboarding safety Accessed: 01/17/2010
• Centers for Disease Control. Heads up: preventing concussion. Accessed: 01/17/2010
• Slaney GM, Finn JC, Cook A, Weinstein P. Wrist guards and wrist and elbow injury in snowboarders. Medical Journal of Australia. 2008;189(7):412. Accessed: 02/16/2010
• Centers for Disease Control. Extreme cold: a prevention guide to promote your personal health and safety. Accessed: 02/08/2010

View the original 6 tips for safe snowboarding article on myOptumHealth.com