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"SKIING
IS A SLIDING SPORT":
Conventional Skiing Wisdoms (CSW's)
by Bill Jones, Ski Instructor
Certified Professional Ski Instructor (Registration #110478)
CSW #19: "Skiing is dangerous."
Yes, we can and do get hurt skiing.
That is why there is a disclaimer at this site's Site Use
Agreement.
That is why there are ski patrols at ski areas and medical facilities at the
bases of many. Skiers are likely to witness sleds carrying injured persons down
to treatment and maywitness the accidents themselves.
To help with this problem, ski patrols and slope traffic personnel may
monitor activities and caution against unsafe practices. Warning signs are
posted at known--but not all--hazardous sites. (I know of one ski area with such
rugged terrain that they do not mark hazards at all, else their entire mountain would
be covered with warnings.) There are also the Skier's Responsibility Code
and state laws and even sheriffs on some slopes.
The use of helmets in skiing is increasingly popular, although data on the
degree of safety this provides is still being gathered.
Other sports have dangers, too. I know many bicyclists and know that
many have been injured. White-water rafters sometimes drown. Football has taken
a toll on knees. Fly-fishermen have been swept downstream with their waders
filled with water. Climbers expose themselves to obvious risks. I will post data
here on relative dangers of various sports when found, and if you can help
provide it, please do so.
It seems logical that ski lessons would reduce the dangers of the sport, but
I have no data on this.
It also seems logical that skiing when fatigued would be more hazardous than
when fresh, but again I have no data and it is possible that fresh skiers would
take greater risks with greater danger.
It also seems logical that focusing on one's skiing is less dangerous than
thinking of unrelated matters. I know of one injury apparently caused by
inattention due to thinking of what to prepare for dinner.
For now, each of us must assess our own level of risk we are willing to take
versus the rewards we get or expect to get from the sport. And there is the
unquantifiable thought about what benefits we may get from exercise in the
outdoors versus a more sedentary winter lifestyle.
Please also see Slope Safety.
main CSW contents
prior CSW #18: "Turn the outside ski first"
next CSW #20: "New shaped skis are just a fad;
the fad
won't last."
"SKIING
IS A SLIDING SPORT"--a skiing web manual:
Skiing Web Manual
Contents Why Read
This Skiing Web Manual
That First Lesson A
Little Skiing History
Motion in Skiing
CONVENTIONAL SKIING WISDOMS
Skier Excuses
Fear in Skiing
Conditioning for Skiing
Equipment and Technique
Skiing Equipment
How Skis
Work
How
to Develop Balance on Skis
A Skiing
Turn Simplified Tactics for Terrains and Snow
Textures
Skiing Tips and Tales--a potpourri
Children
and Skiing
Age and Skiing
Gender & Skiing Culture
& Skiing
Skiing Ethics and Survival
Slope Safety Skiing
Environment Glossary Acknowledgements
SkiMyBest Website Contents
This "CSW #19: 'Skiing is dangerous'" page last modified
11/18/2009: \SkiMyBest\skiCSW19.htm.
Copyright © 2010 William R Jones.
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