Skiing Safety Essentials
Chandan Singh
| 11-05-2024
· Lifestyle Team
Cruising through the snowfields where "a thousand miles of ice seal, and ten thousand miles of snow drift," experiencing the thrill of speed and flight is exhilarating indeed.
However, it's crucial to prioritize safety for both yourself and others while enjoying the thrill of skiing. These skiing safety precautions must be firmly kept in mind.
Warm-up
The low temperatures of the snowfields can cause stiffness in skiers' bodies, making them prone to injury if their joint muscles aren't adequately warmed up.
It's recommended that beginners, under proper insulation, engage in sufficient warm-up activities before hitting the slopes, focusing on joints such as hips, knees, ankles, and wrists.
The purpose of preparatory exercises is to promote blood circulation through basic movements, thus reducing muscle viscosity, enhancing muscle strength, improving joint flexibility, and increasing the excitability of the central nervous system and the function of various organ systems, thereby making movements more coordinated and accurate.
Warmth
Skiing is a sport conducted in cold environments, making insulation particularly important. Extended exposure to low temperatures significantly increases the risk of frostbite. It is advisable to carry frostbite ointment and similar items and, ideally, soak the affected area in warm water before seeking medical treatment.
Equipment
1. Clothing: Wear bright-colored or contrasting clothing to ensure visibility and prevent collisions.
Additionally, it's advisable to have extra cold-resistant outerwear and close-fitting innerwear, allowing for timely changes when clothes become wet from snow or sweat.
2. Ski goggles: Due to intense sunlight reflection on snowy surfaces, wearing tinted goggles is essential to protect the eyes. It's recommended to wear resin-framed goggles whenever possible.
3. Helmet, gloves, and face protection: Wearing a helmet is essential for safety. Since skiing involves high speeds and strong winds, windproof and warm gloves are indispensable. Furthermore, facial protection is necessary to safeguard the skin against the dry and windy conditions typical of winter weather.
4. Socks: It's best to wear skiing-specific socks, such as longer woolen socks, as ski boots are typically high-cut. Wearing socks that are too low may cause discomfort due to direct contact between the skin and the boot lining.
5. Water bottle: Rest areas in snowfields typically provide free hot water. Bringing a water bottle allows you to drink hot water to quench your thirst and warm up.
Companions
It's best not to ski alone to avoid situations where accidents occur with no one around to assist or notify. Additionally, always inform family and friends of your skiing plans, including your location and approximate return time, to avoid being in a state of isolation without support.
Falling
Learning the correct falling posture can help minimize severe injuries. Sit down towards the left or right rear side. Never sit straight back as the buttocks won't reach the ground. Place hands on both sides to avoid being pressed by the buttocks and refrain from using palms to support.
Once the buttocks touch the ground, the steel edges of the snowboard will create resistance against sliding. If losing control while skiing, immediately lower your center of gravity, sit backward, and avoid struggling. You can raise your limbs and bend your body, allowing yourself to slide down without rolling, and most importantly, avoid landing on your head.
Diet
Eat lightly before skiing to avoid overburdening your digestive system, which could cause nausea or vomiting during strenuous activity.
Choose carbohydrate-rich foods such as rice or pasta, along with vegetables and meats. Snack on chocolates, walnuts, peanuts, or similar items during breaks to replenish energy levels.
While enjoying the thrill of speed and flight on the snowfields, ensuring safety is paramount. Warm-up exercises, wearing protective gear, staying warm, proper equipment, and skiing with companions are all essential measures to ensure skiing safety. Additionally, learning the correct falling posture and maintaining a balanced diet can protect against unexpected injuries while skiing. Let's remember safety first and create enjoyable and safe skiing experiences together on the snowfields.