For a safe snow sports season
Around 76,000 people are injured in ski resorts every year. To prevent accidents, equipment and piste safety are constantly being improved. In addition, winter sports enthusiasts themselves can help to reduce their risk of injury. The bfu provides tips on how to create optimal conditions for the new snow sports season.
Every year, around 76,000 skiers and snowboarders in snow sports destinations are injured so seriously that they require medical attention. Around a quarter of these are foreign guests. In addition, 16 people a year die in this country while skiing or snowboarding on and off the Slope. The new bfu statistics on injuries in snowsports show, among other things, which parts of the body are most susceptible to injury: In more than half of skiing accidents, the legs are affected. Studies show that the Risk of injury in snowsports almost halved from the 1970s to the 1990s; since then, however, it has stagnated. In addition to the further development of equipment and piste safety, accident prevention also requires the snow sports enthusiasts themselves: they can reduce their risk of injury by preparing correctly for the new season - both physically and in terms of equipment.
Body is strongly challenged
The bfu snow sports expert Benedikt Heer reminds us that the ski and Snowboarding puts the body to the test. "Many winter athletes lack strength, endurance and coordination. But all of that is necessary because skiing and snowboarding require complex movements." Heer therefore recommends targeted preparatory training: "Before the season, it's important to strengthen the trunk and leg muscles and train balance." Optimal equipment also ensures a lower risk. "Before each season, ski bindings must be adjusted at a specialist store and checked on a binding adjustment tester," says bfu expert Heer.
Well-adjusted bindings help prevent injuries to the lower legs and ankles. The bfu ski sticker, which is available from more than 700 specialist dealers, attests to the fact that ski bindings have been correctly adjusted. The sticker also reminds ski enthusiasts of the next inspection date. Roof box offers more space - but beware, if the material is in good condition and you yourself are fit, the only thing left to do is to get to the ski resort safely. Here, many ski vacationers have a space problem - those traveling by car may therefore mount a roof box. A new bfu video shows how to properly attach and fill a roof box so that nothing stands in the way of a safe trip.
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Advice center for accident prevention