Helmet Safety

This winter, put a lid on it. 

Ready or not winter is coming. Soon you’ll be loading up the kids and heading to Mt. Rose. But before you hit the slopes, the half pipe, the snowmobile trail or the sledding hill, take a moment to think about your family’s safety. To protect their heads, nothing works like a helmet.

Snow sports are by nature fast and many participants correlate their speed on the mountain with the level of fun they’re having. Unfortunately, the risk of brain injury from collision with skiers and stationary objects is unquestionably related to speed. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, more than a million people in the United States sustain traumatic brain injuries each year. 235,000 are admitted to hospitals and 50,000 die. A 2006 Journal of American Medical Association article identified children, beginners and snowboarders as being most at risk for snow sport related traumatic brain injury.

In a 2002 Norwegian ski resort study, helmet use reflected a 60% reduction in head injury.

“Every winter we see ER patients with ski and snowboard-related brain and spine trauma,” explains Deven Khosla, MD of Reno’s Sierra Neurosurgery Group. “Prevention is always the best medicine. It’s much easier to protect your brain than it is to fix it and wearing a helmet is simply the easiest way to protect against brain injury.”

Today’s helmet designs are lightweight, comfortable and even fashionable. Look for a snug-fitting snow sport specific lid with Snell, ASTM, CSPC or CEN certification. With prices as low as $29, outfitting your entire family with helmets is a no brainer. For more information on head and spine health, contact the experts at Sierra Neurosurgery Group at 775.323.2080 or visit sierraneurosurgery.com