National Ski Areas Association Reports That Helmet Use Is Up

The National Ski Areas Association reported a nationwide helmet use increase of 12 percent i 2009. The group future report that:

• 77 percent of children 9 years old or younger wear ski helmets;
• 66 percent of children between 10 and 14 wear ski helmets;
• 63 percent of adults over the age of 65 wear ski helmets;
• Helmet usage by skiers and boarders aged 18 to 24 is currently 32 percent, representing a 78 percent increase in usage for this age group since the 2002/03 season, when only 18 percent wore helmets.

The information was gained from an annual Demographic Study is compiled from more than 130,000 interviews of skiers and riders nationwide.

The results go alone with their mission which is:

NSAA and its member resorts promote the use of helmets. NSAA views skiing and boarding in a controlled and responsible manner – not helmets only – as the primary safety consideration for all skiers and boarders.

There are many stories here at the Injuryboard about the results of concussions. Hopefully, this increased helmet use will find a drop in those injuries.

Over time, I have represent a number of clients with TBI injuries. These are tragic injuries that still require a lot more study. As I covered in a previously discussed in a blog about sports injuries, we need to make sure that our children are well protected against these types of injuries.