NEWS
Getting Helmet Message Out
Reported by Jenny Porter of The Nugget, January 18, 2010 North Bay Ontario.
Emily Gorda wants to see more skiers and snowboarders use their heads before hitting the slopes this year.
The young ski patrol member and Grade 12 student at Chippewa Secondary School wants to see more helmets on the hillside this season.
"Nearly 60% of head injuries could be prevented simply by wearing a helmet," she said.
Gorda brought together Laurentian Ski Hill's ski patrol and Chippewa's SmartRisk team Saturday to inform skiers and snow-boarders of the dangers of not wearing a helmet.
Members passed out stickers, pamphletsand even had a free draw for those spotted wearing helmets on the hill.
The ski patrol also presented a mock crash to demonstrate how they care for injured skiers and snowboarders with head injuries.
Gorda said the popularity of wearing helmets surged after actress Natasha Richardson died last March after suffering a head injury she sustained from a skiing accident in Quebec.
Since then, many ski resorts and hills require helmets to be worn during lessons and while on the hill.
"I think that it's inspired more awareness in people and more desire to go out and purchase a helmet," she said.
While wearing a helmet is optional at Laurentian Ski Hill, all children's classes include helmet rental.
Gorda admits a helmet won't prevent skiers and snowboarders from hitting their head when they hit the slopes. But it may mean the difference between a tumble and a trip to the hospital.
"Helmets don't necessarily prevent all injuries," she said. "It's the same idea as lifejackets. They don't prevent you from drowning but they reduce that risk."
Gorda has witnessed a number of injuries on the ski hill as part of the ski patrol including concussions.
"A few years ago, we had a patient who had done a few flips on his snowboard and was complaining of head pain," she said adding that after treatment on scene and being taken away by ambulance it turned out he had a concussion.
"I can't say it could have been prevented by wearing a helmet but it could have been reduced," she said.
Though many parents insist their children wear helmets, it takes a little more effort to get the message through their own thick skulls that they, too, should be wearing helmets.
"You need to be a good role model for your child for them to follow suit," Gorda said.
ALGONQUIN ZONE NEWSLETTER
Volume 1, January 2010
Check These Dates!!
| January 31, 2010 | Forward all On Snow marks to our Zone Education Officer Natalie who will enter the marks in the National Database. |
| January 31, 2010 to February 6, 2010 | Check out Winterfest in BC and scroll to the bottom of the page for more information. |
| Saturday, February 6, 2010 | Zone First aid Competition at Laurentian Ski Hill in North Bay. Please inform Natalie as to the number of teams you are entering. |
| Weekend of February 27th | Division First Aid Competition at Sir Sam's Ski Hill. The winning team from the Zone FA competition will be entered. |
Zone Education
It has been a pleasure to travel to Timmins and Sudbury this fall to meet the instructors who are responsible for educating our patrollers. Although our Zone is flung far and wide, the quality and dedication of instructors is excellent. The Zone Education Team travelled to Sault Ste. Marie in December to certify their instructors and visited Boogie Mountain instructors in Espanola on the way back.On Snow Clinic and ICP Recertificatiion
Instructors from Sudbury, New Liskeard and North Bay gathered at Laurentian Ski Hill, January 9th and 10th, for an On Snow clinic featuring Nancy Price from Ontario Division as the main instructor. Everyone learned a great deal regarding on snow practices and are now busy passing this information on to their respective patrollers. In addition, those attending were re-certified for their ICP designation.Helmet Blitz
Laurentian Ski Patrol ran a "Wear a Helmet" blitz January 16th. A watermelon drop, a jello brain and a head injury scenario were just part of the events organized by patroller Emily Gorda and fellow students from Chippewa Intermediate and High School. (see the photo above and the write-up which was published in The Nugget).
If you want to obtain more information about this safety event, please contact Emily.
What type of safety events do you have at your hill? E-mail the particulars to Natalie so we can share the ideas with others in the Zone.
Good News
In the Fall, there was some question as to the status of Tri Town Ski Village in New Liskeard. Mark Wilson, the only qualified patroller informed us at the time that a lack of financial resources may force the hill to remain closed for the season. BUT, funds were obtained and the hill will open when snow conditions permit. Mark is hopeful that he will be able to recruit and train some new patrollers to help him on the hill.Thinking Outside the Box
Gary Martin of Sudbury's Adanac Ski Hill was the first in to care for a teenage female who had a bad jump landing on her lower back. She was standing straight and could not move when first approached by Gary. He called for a toboggan and cleared her for a C-Spine injury. It took Gary with 3 male patrollers and 2 hill employees to place her safely on the backboard. It was great to see all the training "kick in". Everyone took on a task to perform a vertical backboard load. It was great to see the team work.
One of the paramedics commented that he responded to many calls at both Adanac and Onaping. He wanted the patrollers to know that he is always impressed with our First Aid treatment which makes their job easier. It seems that we are leaving a positive impression and gaining a good reputation.
Keep up the good work!