Grab your skis, goggles, coat – and don’t forget that helmet. Skiing and snowboarding are fun activities for all ages but come with the risk of injury. Read on for tips to make it a safe day on the mountain.
Daydreaming about your next trip to the slopes? We talked to Jared Worchel, DO, about his top tips for gearing up.
Get the Gear
Before you head out to ski or snowboard, make sure you have all your gear ready and in good condition. Everything should fit correctly so that it keeps you as safe as possible. Wearing proper gear will also help keep you warm.
Items to check on before you head out include:
Boots
Bindings
Goggles
Poles
Helmet
Outwear
Gloves
Pack water and snacks in case the drive takes longer than you except due to weather or traffic. You’ll also want to make sure that your cell phone is fully charged before you head out in case you need to contact friends of staff for help while on the mountain.
Helmet, Helmet, Helmet
Having a helmet that fits correctly is the most important thing you can do to prepare for a safe day on the mountain. According to a National Ski Areas Association study, helmet use has increased over the last 15 years, with 80 percent of skiers and snowboarders using helmets. Schubert would like to see that number increase to 100 percent.
“If you have a head injury it could take you out for the rest of your life,” Dr. Worchel said. “The most important things to think about when fitting a helmet are making sure that it really fits you appropriately. You want to go into a store and try on as many different helmets as they have available. I know it’s tempting to buy one online, but you’re never going to know if it fits correctly.”
If you are in an accident, your helmet’s fit can help protect you. Dr. Worchel has some tips on fitting:
A helmet should fit low and snug over the head.
Make sure that the helmet doesn’t wiggle or feel loose.
Look for a model that has adjustability in the back, which will help you make sure it fits snugly. F
ind a helmet with a chin strap that will help it stay in place throughout the day.
Is Physiatry Right for You?
If you're struggling with constant pain and discomfort, mobility or activities of daily living, talk to your provider about a referral to the Renown Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic or call 775-982-3608.
Our patient-centered team approach provides unparalleled experience and commitment for those needing acute, short-term rehabilitation to return to an active lifestyle. Thanks to our team of specialists, our patient outcomes exceed national benchmarks. This means our patients have shorter hospital stays and leave with a higher level of functionality and independence.
We provide a full range of rehabilitation services to help patients recover from:
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month, designed to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and recognize the importance of brain health.
With the dangerous heat wave impacting our region, there are heightened risks of heatstroke, especially for children who cannot regulate their body temperature as efficiently as adults. Infants are particularly vulnerable and may not express discomfort, so never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
Department Spotlight: Inpatient Rehab Hospital Therapy
Take a moment to think about your favorite hobby. Perhaps you enjoy going for walks or runs. Maybe you prefer painting or singing. Or you might like playing video games or doing jigsaw puzzles. Whatever hobby you love surely brings joy to your life, right?
Now, imagine you suffered a stroke, a traumatic brain injury, a broken hip, a limb amputation or another physical health obstacle. You notice that it is more difficult to participate in your favorite pastimes. And beyond that, even the activities of daily living are now a struggle – getting dressed, taking a shower, brushing your teeth, the list goes on.
But guess what? There is a care team whose sole purpose is to help you regain the independence and confidence you need to embrace your life once again and return to a sense of normalcy.
Meet the Inpatient Rehab Hospital Therapy (RRH Therapy) department at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital. Whether it’s helping a patient learn to walk again or showing them how they can cook and clean in a new and accessible way, these tenacious rehab therapy technicians, occupational therapists (OT), physical therapists (PT), recreation therapy specialists, speech language pathologists and OT/PT assistants will stop at nothing to ensure their patients stay on the road to recovery.
