Injury reports

[ski diva]

I have a friend who refuses to ski because she "knows soooo many people who have been injured."

All the same, she bikes and drives a car. But I won't get into that.

So let's put this to the test. Who among us has suffered serious injury skiing? (Lola, don't answer!!! You'll scare the children!)

I actually sprained my ankle the first year I skied (1968). And so far that's been it (I hope I'm not invoking the evil eye!).

What about you?

 

[tcarey]

I don't worry to much about getting hurt when I ski. My injuries to date-sprained ankle,sprained thumbs, bruised ribs.

Last year I was walking around the ski check and I hit the cement post with my boot. I went into so hard that I bruised my big toe.That was painful for a while but it did not really affect my skiing!

Terry

 

[Lilgeorg]

The better question to ask people who worry about ski injuries is to ask them what injuries they have had in the past 20 years. People get hurt walking down stairs, making beds, riding in cars, cooking, and a million other everyday ways.

I am afraid of getting hurt is just another way of saying I am afraid to learn new things.

I have had 2 mild concussions when I was taken out from behind by snowboarders and I twisted my knee when I lost it over ice. In 18 years of skiing that doesn't seem too bad when you think of all the fun I have had in those same 18 years.

I have also, cut my finger to the bone while cooking, broken a toe while making the bed, broken a rib while being hugged too hard, and sprained a finger playing volley ball. I haven't stopped doing those things either,

People view skiing as an out of control sport like hang gliding. Neither is dangerous with proper instruction and progression. Compare either sport with motor cycle or even bike riding and you will find the accidents are far fewer in skiing and hang gliding.

Enough of a rant. Fear is self limiting. I know. I fight it tooth and nail.

 

[Lilgeorg]

Also I suggest they read Lola's quote of the day.


Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body.

But rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body totally used up screaming "Whoo Hoo! What a ride!"

 

[SnowHot]

I've skied since 1984 and have only had a few minor injuries. Certainly nothing that was a "day ending", let alone season ending.

I'd rather risk injury and have a smile on my face, and keeping winter depression away than sitting around doing something safe.

The key to mental and physical health is:
Sunshine
Fresh Air
Excercise
Water

 

[Jilly]

Well I've been skiing since I could walk, just about 45 years of it. What injuries - sprained both thumbs at the same time, pulled hamstring (also did that dancing the Polka) ,concussion while teaching when a student hit me, and broken nose from a T-bar. No broken limbs though. Nose wasn't fun for awhile, but I wish helmets had been around when that student hit me. I fell backwards on 190cm skis, hitting my head on the tails. If I'd had a helmet - no concussion. Add a few muscle pulls from not stretching or warming up and that's about it. Lot safer that bike riding or inline skating. No cars, no little dogs on invisible leashes to get you.

 

[SnowHot]

Ah ha! A broken nose. I did that once.
My nephew and his friends were concerned that we'd have to go home early because I broke my nose.
I said, "why? I broke my nose, not my leg! Lets ski!"

 

[Lynn]

injury stats

I don't know where the exact stats are to be found, but I am pretty sure that bicycle riding has one of the largest percentage of injuries associated with a sport.
If anyone knows where these kind of stats are to be found, let's check it out.
Ski Diva could show her friend theat skiing is MUCH safer than bike riding.

 

[liquidfeet]

Despite my higher-than-average incidence of falls as evidenced by the thread on falls here (mostly accompanied by laughter, knock-on-wood), I have had no injuries. Stitches in the last 10 years came from tripping on nothing while running in the early morning, and tripping while walking calmly up my back porch stairs. Two nights ago I broke my little toe stumping it in the dark on a piece of furniture.

However, while at a ski shop three weeks ago the owner told me I should check my helmet for cracks to see if I needed a new one since I hit the ice so often. (Cracks evidently don't show up on the outside.) There was a continuous crack from nape of neck to forehead (!!!) ... now how long has that been there?

But everyone is mentioning how dangerous biking is. No joke. The pavement, the dirt riddled with New England rocks, and the very close trees are sure more threatening than the slippery snow/ice on a slope. I'd like to know the statistics as well. Hope someone can find the numbers.

 

[dburdenbates]

I've had many more injuries biking, walking, and inline skating than I have had skiing (like you said, liquidfeet, knock wood).

 

[ski diva]

However, while at a ski shop three weeks ago the owner told me I should check my helmet for cracks to see if I needed a new one since I hit the ice so often. (Cracks evidently don't show up on the outside.) There was a continuous crack from nape of neck to forehead (!!!) ... now how long has that been there?

That's pretty amazing. And something most people probably wouldn't even think of. Thanks for pointing that out! I'm definitely going to check my helmet!