Staying safe on the snow

I wrote this post for the Board of Certification Blog at  http://www.bocatc.org/blog/

With the Winter Olympics under way and a President’s Week break starting soon there will be a lot of people out skiing and snowboarding over the next few weeks.

While sliding down the mountain is an exhilarating experience, it can also end very badly, speaking from experience.

Here are some ways to make sure that your ski vacation is both fun filled and safe.

1.      Control-Ski within your abilities and skill set and always be able to stop quickly if the situation calls for it.

2.      Awareness-Look around before you start your run and continue to practice defensive skiing during your run to avoid a collision.

3.      Hydration-You may not always feel thirsty when you are schussing down the mountain, but exercise in the winter weather can quickly cause you to become dehydrated. Prepare to take breaks or a carry a hydration pack for the day.

4.      Fatigue-Injuries occur after lunch when your stomach is full and your muscles are fatigued from the morning. If you go back out in the afternoon, take it easy on some cruisers first so you do not overdo it, or quit early.

5.      Equipment-Make sure that your gear is properly fit and adjusted to your body. Wear layers so it is easy to peel off as the day progresses and your body warms up.

The snow and mountains are a great way to exercise in the winter and enjoy the outdoors. When you are out channeling your inner Olympian remember to stay safe, pay attention and have fun!

For some other good tips on staying safe in the snow visit http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/skiing-and-snowboarding-injury-prevention.aspx