Safe sledding - with helmet
Every year, sledding fun ends at the doctor's office for 7300 people. The right behavior could prevent many of these accidents.
Anyone can sled - you might think. A little snow, minimal slope and you're ready to go. Nevertheless, 7300 people are injured in Switzerland every year while sledging. Although more than two thirds of these are "only" injuries such as sprains, strains, bruises or fractures, there are also serious accidents. In the last 10 years, 8 people have died while sledding.
A toboggan is more tractable
"The majority of accidents happen because many people don't know the rules of sledding, travel too fast or overestimate their abilities," explains Benedikt Heer, sports advisor at the bfu. Before you start sledding - ideally on a signalized route - you need to choose the right sled. The bfu recommends a toboggan. Thanks to its flexible construction, it is very easy to steer and does not slip on ice or in curves. Classic wooden sledges such as the "Davoser" or "Grindelwaldner", on the other hand, are rigidly built and therefore difficult to steer. A bobsled is suitable for flat to medium steep slopes and on soft and wet snow. On firm and icy surfaces, however, it is very fast and hardly steerable and brakeable.
"Smart heads protect themselves", this also applies to sledding. That's why a snow sports helmet is a must for winter fun, and goggles and high boots with braking aids complete the equipment. What has been established for skiing and snowboarding - today 92 % of snow sports enthusiasts wear a helmet - is unfortunately not yet a matter of course for sledging. One in two people do not wear a helmet when sledging, as surveys by the bfu show. The rate of helmet use has remained relatively stable in recent years. Fortunately, however, it has increased among children up to 6 years of age.
The most important tobogganing tips from bfu
- Adhere to the 10 sledding rules. These include showing consideration for others, adapting your speed and style to your ability or respecting the lane of the person in front.
- Use a toboggan, wear a snow sports helmet and shoes with braking assistance.
- Sledding on marked trails free of obstacles.
- Do not sled head first.
Source: bfu
