1. Don’t give accidents a chance
Company, event, date
Name
Preventing ski and snowboard accidents
2016

2. Non-occupational accidents in Switzerland, 2013
Strassenverkehr
Sport
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
2016

3. Persons injured, by type of sport (Ø 2009-2013)
Lektion Nr. 280
Persons injured, by type of sport (Ø )
Type of sport
Total
Of which
Ball games
Football
82 000
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
23 000
Water sports
18 000
Other types of sports
80 000
Martial arts
21 000
Preventing ski and snowboard accidents
2016

4. 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.
2016
Knee 34%
Calf, ankle, foot 16%
Source: bfu knowledge base “Skiing and snowboarding accidents”
Preventing ski and snowboard accidents

5. 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
2016

6. 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
2016

7. Video “Skiing/snowboarding”
Get your skis on,
but safely!
Video “Skiing/snowboarding”
Preventing ski and snowboard accidents
2016

8. 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 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
2016

9. Kitted out for fun
Have your gear checked by an expert before every season and replace any outdated items of equipment.
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
2016

10. Smart people protect themselves
Always wear a snow sports helmet when skiing or snowboarding.
Buy a helmet that meets European standard EN 1077.
Try the helmet on; it should be a good fit.
Test it with the chinstrap unfastened; the helmet should not wobble when you shake your head.
It should also be comfortable to wear with ski goggles and sunglasses.
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
2016

11. Helmet-wearing rates in snwosports, by age, 2015/16
Source: bfu STATUS 2016
Preventing ski and snowboard accidents
2016

12. Tips on wrist protectors
Always wear wrist protectors when snowboarding, particularly if you are a beginner.
Ensure that the wrist protectors prevent the wrists from over-stretching and cushion any blows to the wrists and forearms.
Try on the wrist protectors yourself before buying. They should be comfortable to wear.
Preventing ski and snowboard accidents
2016

13. Fit and ready!
Prepare yourself for the season! In particular, strengthen your core muscles and leg muscles and train your balance.
Attend a course – improve your technique with professional guidance.
Preventing ski and snowboard accidents
2016

14. 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
2016

15. 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
2016

16. 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
2016

17. 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
2016

18. 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
2016

19. Signs Respect for signs and markings
All skiers and snowboarders must respect signs and markings.
© KWRO
Preventing ski and snowboard accidents
2016

20. 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
2016

21. Further information
Consult the bfu’s brochures for more info on this topic
“Skiing and Snowboarding” (ref. no )
“Off-piste” (ref. no , only in German, French, Italian)
Order free of charge from
Even more accident prevention tips here:
Preventing ski and snowboard accidents
2016