Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

I have never been skiing. And have no plans to. So I honestly don't know the answer to this.

Are there any rules for wearing a helmet or any kind of head protection when skiing? If not, do you think there should be. And if you go skiing do you wear anything.

To answer my own question, I think there should be. I don't see a down side to it and it could save lives and prevent so many injuries.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

I just learned to ski 2 months ago. I did exactly what Natasha did... private lessons starting out on the bunny slope. I was terrified of skiing but my husband loves it so I learned for him. I did not wear a helmet and no one told me I had to. But I did email my husband today and tell him we must buy helmets before we go skiing again.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

My husband and I have been snowboarding and there was no mention of helmets. We definitely experienced our share of tumbles... but I don't think I've ever seen anyone on the slopes wearing a helmet

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

It's not mandatory - but it is a STRICT rule in my house. EVERYONE wears helmets for bike riding/sledding/snowboarding!!

A helmet saved my life many years ago...it's such a small thing - but sooo smart to wear one.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

I do not believe there are any hard and fast rules stating that you must wear a helmet when skiing or snowboarding. I think it is one of the calculated risks you take when participating in an activity like that.

I do think that similar to the way helmets started becoming more and more prevelant when riding bikes, you are starting to see more and more people wearing helmets out on the mountains. Right now I see more people on snowboards wearing them than skiing. Years ago, you never saw anyone wearing a helmet riding bikes and definitely not on the slopes. But people are starting to understand that you give yourself a better chance of avoiding tragedy when you wear protective gear. Such a sad, sad story.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

I agree there should be rules as to wearing a helmet. DH is a skier and I am buying him a helmet for his b-day (I was before I heard about this incident)

DH was skiing with friends a few weeks ago. His friend fell (not badly), was fine afterwards, was wearing a helmet, came home and had a series of strokes related to damage done in the fall. I have to believe after hearing this story, the damage would have been a lot worse if he didn't have a helmet on.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

I don't wear a helmet on the slopes and rarely see anyone else wearing them. Although I don't go flying down the slopes, if i did, I would prob have a helmet on. I've fallen plenty of times on the slopes but thankfully no injuries.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

Of course, I believe everyone should wear helmets when partaking in these kinds of sports or activities. Even before Kenneth was hurt, I have always felt this way because a bike helmet saved me from having a (probably) serious head injury... I was riding and fell off BAD - cut my arm serious when I was like 9 years old or so. When I stopped crying lol I took my helmet off and saw that it was cracked right open - right down the middle. So, I am a big advocate for helmets!

I also think that the awareness, for the general public, of head injuries needs to be increased SERIOUSLY. I think people need to know just how easy it is to get a TBI sometimes - you don't have to be hit by a drunk driver at 75MPH... you can just take a tumble, or hit your head the wrong way - be awake, and seemingly OK and still suffer a deadly bleed on the brain, swelling on the brain, or a blood clot, etc.

In general, people's awareness and overall knowledge of TBI's and the effects of them -- the recovery process, etc. is just not enough. I'm no different than anyone else - I learned about them after Kenneth which is how most people learn... after their loved one suffers one. I just wish that would change - I wish we had more awareness in general. It could save lives - it could have really helped the actress in this situation.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

I have been skiing a few times. I completely stopped when my fear of falling & getting hurt ruined the fun.

It is a VERY dangerous sport.

So yes, I truly believe that helmets should be mandatory (ESPECIALLY for beginners).

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

Message edited 3/18/2009 1:31:15 PM.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

DH and I were just talking about this. Many of our friends raised this exact question over the past 48 hours, and I was wondering why the Michael Kennedy and Sonny Bono deaths didn't spark the same fear and awareness that this has.

for that family.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

this is why I never ever had any desire to ski.....i can only picture myself on the baby hill getting injured.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

I have been skiing and snowboarding for 20 years

helmets have been around since I was in high school- yet I don't think many people wear them (10 to 12 years)

personally- I go very slow and don't do jumps or anything crazy- so I never felt the need - I also spend more time in the lodge then on the mountain

in the future when I have childern- they will be wearing one from day 1

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

It definitely wouldn't be a bad idea...especially for beginners.

I have gone skiing a few times and am absolutely terrible (winter sports are NOT my forte ). It amazes me that I didn't seriously injure myself after some of the spills and falls that I took. It's so frightening to think that just landing the wrong way in what appears to be a 'simple' fall could have such devastating results.

That being said, I don't know if skiiers should be 'forced' to wear a helmet but I definitely think it should be encouraged.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

I believe it should be mandatory for everyone to wear a helmet while skiing/snowboarding.

The few times I've skiied, all tke kids I saw were wearing helmets.

And from watching the today show about it this morning, the dr said a helmet would have made a big difference in her accident.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

Posted by seaside

DH and I were just talking about this. Many of our friends raised this exact question over the past 48 hours, and I was wondering why the Michael Kennedy and Sonny Bono deaths didn't spark the same fear and awareness that this has.

for that family.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

I think everyone should wear a helmet no matter how old you are or how active you are while skiiing, snowboarding, cycling or any other dangerous sport.

It can save your life. I've seen horrible consequences..it just didn't have to happen.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

It is not mandatory..it's pretty much at your own risk. I'm a snowboarder and I know most wear helmets these days.

I think if it's madatory for kids to wear helmets while riding bikes, it's only common sense to do the same for skiers and snowboarders.

I know I have SMACKED my head coming off a jump a few times and am lucky to have escaped with no damage.

Depending on the conditions it can be ice you fall on.

I think nowadays if you don't wear one, it's really stupid.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

I learned without a helmet when I was very very young and have never worn one. I stopped skiing a few years ago.

My children wear a helmet when they ski.



This article indicates that helmets are not the be all and end all in ski safety.

Message edited 3/18/2009 3:26:12 PM.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

I would def wear one. It's so dangerous not to.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

When we lived in NY we'd ski a few times during the winter and we never wore helmets. DH taught me to ski and I always stuck to the easy slopes b/c I hate going fast so I never thought to wear a helmet. But now thinking about it, it doesn't matter how slow you go and what slope you're on, someone can slam into YOU!

Speaking of helmets, it's amazing down here in FL how many people on motorcycles don't wear helmets! I just want to scream at them. I don't understand why that's not a law down here.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

I'm not sure if I think there should be a law or rule requiring helmets - kind of like adults can choose not to wear a helmet while riding a bike. I think this was a freak accident and not very common. But I DO think more people should wear helmets of their own volition, especially if they're going to be skiing or snowboarding quickly, on challenging slopes, etc.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

Posted by seaside

DH and I were just talking about this. Many of our friends raised this exact question over the past 48 hours, and I was wondering why the Michael Kennedy and Sonny Bono deaths didn't spark the same fear and awareness that this has.

for that family.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

Are there any helmets out there with a hat built in? If not there should be... I thought about this when my DH took my kids sledding a few weeks ago. Last year my DS and one of his friends both hit their heads sledding. His friend had a bad gash, my DS's was not so bad but obviously a bloody cut is not the only issue here. But when it's 20 degrees out, how do you keep them warm too??

Re: Natasha Richardson - it's so sad, so tragic. I didn't read an updated story on her since seeing the news yesterday. Did she hit her head? It sounded like she was a beginner on a simple slope. What happened?

My heart goes out to her family.

Re: Question with ref to the Natasha Richardson accident

Posted by Wendy

Posted by seaside

DH and I were just talking about this. Many of our friends raised this exact question over the past 48 hours, and I was wondering why the Michael Kennedy and Sonny Bono deaths didn't spark the same fear and awareness that this has.

for that family.

I'm guessing with Kennedy the media was too busy talking about the "Curse of Camelot". And Sonny was older and the media was too busy talking about his Senate seat and Cher probably.