Don’t give accidents a chance Company, event, date Name Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Non-occupational accidents in Switzerland, 2014 82 000 Strassenverkehr 418 000 Sport 564 000 im und ums Haus Every year, more than one million people are injured in road traffic accidents, while doing sport and exercising as well as in and around the house. Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Persons injured, by type of sport (Ø 2010-2014) Lektion Nr. 280 Persons injured, by type of sport (Ø 2010-2014) Type of sport Total Of which Ball games 137 000 Football 83 000 Winter sports 92 000 Skiing 51 000 Snowboarding 14 000 Cycling and skating (not in traffic) 32 000 Gymnastics, athletics 28 000 Mountain sports, hiking 24 000 Water sports 18 000 Other types of sports 80 000 Martial arts 21 000 411 000 Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Downhill skiing: Parts of the body injured Head 16% Shoulder, upper arm 16% Trunk, spine 10% Lower arm, hand 12% Hip, thigh 6% Accounting for about 1/3 of all injuries, the knee is the body part most frequently injured when skiing. Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm are also very common, with shoulder injuries accounting for the largest share at around 4-11%. Around 16% of skiing injuries affect the head. Many of the injuries classified as serious are head injuries. Fatalities are also largely the result of a head injury. Traumas of the spine are rare. but are also responsible for serious or even fatal injuries while skiing. 2017 Knee 34% Calf, ankle, foot 16% Source: bfu knowledge base “Skiing and snowboarding accidents” Preventing ski and snowboard accidents

Snowboarding: Body parts injured Head 15% Shoulder, upper arm 22% Trunk, spine 12% Lower arm, hand 31% Hip, thigh 4% Snowboarding injuries most often affect the upper extremities, especially the wrist area. Wrist injuries account for about ¼ of all snowboarding injuries. In addition to the wrist, the shoulders and upper arms are frequently injured when snowboarding . Head injuries and spinal injuries, particularly of the spinal cord, also have the most serious consequences when snowboarding. Knee 10% Calf, ankle, foot 10% Source: bfu knowledge base “Skiing and snowboarding accidents” Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Skiing and snowboarding: Main risk factors People Insufficiently aware of hazards Excessive speed Overtired and unfit Poor sense of balance Inadequate skills Surroundings/equipment Ski bindings incorrectly set Lack of protective equipment (wrist protectors, helmet) Sub-optimum piste preparation Imperfect snowparks Insufficient awareness of the dangers: snow sports enthusiasts overestimate their abilities or the situation and fail to act sensibly. Source: bfu Safety Dossier no. 10 “Accident Research - Sport” Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Video “Skiing/snowboarding” Get your skis on, but safely! Video “Skiing/snowboarding” Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

How to ski with the correct settings Have your ski bindings adjusted before the start of every ski season. Choose a sporting goods shop that is equipped to test ski bindings (see www.bfu.ch for a list of sporting goods shops). Take your ski boots with you. Give the correct personal details (height, weight, age, type of skier). Ask for the printout of the settings recorded by the test equipment and compare this with the details you provided. Check that the bfu ski sticker is affixed. When set correctly, the ski binding will release at the right time and can prevent knee injuries. Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Kitted out for fun Have your gear checked over by an expert before every season and replace any outdated items of equipment that no longer satisfy safety requirements. Sharpened edges make braking easier. Tighten up the screws on your snowboard binding. Wear snow goggles or sunglasses with sufficient UV protection. Another tip: Protective equipment also includes functional, waterproof clothing. Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Smart people protect themselves Always wear a snow sports helmet when skiing or snowboarding. Choose a helmet with an EN 1077 safety standard label. Try it on yourself: put on the helmet leaving the chinstrap unfastened; the helmet should not wobble when you shake your head back and forth. The helmet should fit well and not feel uncomfortably tight, even if you are wearing goggles. Around one third of head injuries can be prevented by wearing a snow sports helmet. A helmet should be replaced if it has suffered a heavy impact. Age and amount of wear and tear also affect its ability to protect. Helmets should therefore be replaced in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. Only an undamaged helmet can provide optimum protection. Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Helmet-wearing rates in snwosports, by age, 2015/16 Source: bfu STATUS 2017 Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Tips on wrist protectors Always wear gloves with wrist protection when snowboarding, particularly if you are a beginner. Ensure that the wrist protectors will protect your wrist against over-stretching and cushion any blows to the wrists and lower arms. Try on the wrist protectors before buying. They should be comfortable to wear and not restrict any normal movement or actions (e.g. zipping up your jacket). Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Fit and ready! You can reduce the risk of an accident by preparing yourself well before the season starts. In particular, you should strengthen your core (trunk) and leg muscles and train your balance. If you are a beginner, learn the basic skills by taking a course at a snowsports school. Advanced skiers and snowboarders can improve their technique under the guidance of a snowsports instructor. Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Keeping track of the rules The International Ski Federation (FIS) has compiled 10 rules of conduct. Follow them and make a major contribution towards safety on the pistes. These rules are binding according to standard legal practice. Anyone who contravenes these rules and causes an accident can face civil and criminal prosecution for the consequences. The most important FIS rules are: Rule 1: Basic rule Rule 2: Control of speed and style of skiing or snowboarding Rule 6: Stopping Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Basic rule Respect for other skiers and snowboarders Every skier and snowboarder must act in such a way that others are not endangered or harmed.  © KWRO Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Moving rules In control of your speed and skiing/snowboarding style All skiers and snowboarders must have a clear view of what is ahead. Speed and style of skiing/snowboarding must match personal abilities and be adapted to terrain, snow and weather conditions as well as traffic densities on the slopes.  Choice of route Skiers and snowboarders approaching from behind must choose their route to avoid collisions with any skiers and snowboarders ahead. © KWRO Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Moving rules Overtaking A skier or snowboarder may overtake another skier or snowboarder above or below and to the right or to the left, provided that he leaves enough space for the skier or snowboarder being overtaken to make any voluntary or involuntary movement.  Entering, starting off and moving upwards Every skier or snowboarder entering a marked run, starting again after stopping or moving upwards on the slopes must look up and down the slopes to ensure that he can do so without endangering himself or others. © KWRO Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Stopping/climbing Stopping on the piste Except in emergencies, all skiers or snowboarders must avoid stopping on the piste in narrow places or where visibility is restricted. After a fall in such a location, a skier or snowboarder must move clear of the piste as soon as possible. Climbing and descending on foot When either climbing or descending on foot, a skier or snowboarder must keep to the side of the piste.  © KWRO Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Signs Respect for signs and markings All skiers and snowboarders must respect signs and markings. © KWRO Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Action in the event of accidents Assistance Every skier or snowboarder is duty bound to assist in the event of an accident.    Identification Every skier or snowboarder, whether a witness or a person involved, whether responsible or not, must provide their name and address following an accident. © KWRO Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017

Further information Consult the bfu’s brochures for more info on this topic “Skiing and Snowboarding” (ref. no. 3.002) “Off-piste” (ref. no. 3.028, only in German, French, Italian) Order free of charge from www.bestellen.bfu.ch. Even more accident prevention tips here: www.bfu.ch. Preventing ski and snowboard accidents 2017