Body

Is protection really important when I participate in summer sports?

We wait around all winter for summer to come so we can go bike riding, roller blading, skateboarding, swimming and a whole lot of other summer activities. 

Just about every sport you play puts you at some kind of risk of injury. Sometimes that’s what makes it exciting. But it’s not so fun if you injure yourself enough that you can’t do the sport anymore. So the trick is not to avoid risk altogether, but to manage risk and to make smart decisions about risk. You want to minimize the risk of injury so you can keep on playing. That means wearing that helmet, elbow pad, knee pad or whatever safety gear you need so when you wipe out, fall, or get hit (and it will happen) you can get back up and play again.

The other thing to keep in mind when doing summer activities is to know your abilities and play within them. There’s no point in taking that big jump on your mountain bike or skateboard if you can’t handle it. Smart risk is about getting training, knowing your abilities and experience level, and being aware of your environment. Make sure your equipment is in good working order, wear your gear and keep an eye out for hazards. Doing these things will help you manage the risks you take when playing sports and will keep you playing all summer long.

Here are some safety recommendations to help protect yourself while you are involved in an outdoor activity.  Take a few minutes to read them; it’s good for life.

Safety recommendations for bicycle riding

• Wear a helmet.
• Use hand signals to indicate where you are turning
• Keep your bike in good working order
• Follow road signs and traffic lights (rules of the road apply to bikes as well)
• Know your ability and experience level. Ride in your abilities 
• Drink lots of water to keep hydrated
• Don’t use a walkman while on your bicycle: you might not hear that big truck behind you.
• Ride on a bike path or on the right side of the road (in the same direction as traffic).
  Stop at intersections and look both ways before crossing (cars sometimes don’t see bikes on the road so it’s up to you to keep an eye on cars)
• If riding at night, make sure your bike has a light, reflectors and you are wearing reflective clothing.

Safety recommendations for roller blade and skateboard users

Wear a helmet, wrist, elbow and knee protectors, and a long-sleeved jacket or shirt

Good Ideas:

• Choose a path in good condition, without cracks and holes
• Keep laces inside your shoes
• Respect the road code

Bad Ideas:

• To skate with a walkman
• To skate at night or when it is raining
• To skate on busy streets

Safety recommendations for swimming and water sports

Swimming

• Do not swim during a storm.
• Do not swim right after a big meal (you may get a cramp)
• Never swim if you’ve been drinking any amount of alcohol.
• Dive only if the exact depth of the water is known and is safe for diving.
• Always swim with a buddy

Swimming pool

• Don’t dive in the shallow end of a swimming pool (even swimming pools 2.6 meters deep are not always safe).
• Make sure there is a lifeguard on deck and rescue equipment like a life preserver near the pool.
• Do not swim right after a big meal (you may get a cramp in your side)
• Never swim if you’ve been drinking any amount of alcohol.

Boat

• Never drive a motorboat if you’ve been drinking alcohol
• Make sure that at least one person knows how to swim for each person who does not.
• Do not overload the boat.
• Have enough lifejackets for everyone on board.
• Make sure you have (according to the type of boat)
  • oars
  • a bail or hand pump
  • a fire extinguisher (on boats with an inboard engine)
  • flare signals
• Learn the rules about boat and sea-doo driving
• Wear a life jacket when water skiing, wake boarding or tubing.

Safety recommendations for hiking

• Always let someone know where you are going, how long you will be, and a plan of your route  (if you don’t return on time, then have him or her contact emergency or mountain rescue.)
• Have a plan in case of emergency
• Carry a cell phone if you can
• Always be prepared and carry:
  • Extra food & water
  • Extra clothing
  • Rain gear
  • Sunscreen and sun glasses
  • First aid kit
  • Map and compass
  • Emergency blanket

Some Other Ressoureces to Check Out :

Smartrisk
http://www.smartrisk.ca/
Founded in 1992, SMARTRISK has become one of the leading injury prevention groups in Canada and enjoys international recognition and support. SMARTRISK is a national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives.

Injury Free Zone
http://www.injuryfreezone.com/index.html
This is a great site, youth oriented for a change, with some helpful hints, fun games, and recommendations to play safe on the road, in the snow, or doing whatever else you are doing. Check it out!

Is protection really important when I participate in winter sports?

Winter is here and we can finally go play in the snow. Winter brings all sorts of sports like skiing, snowboading, playing hockey, sledding, and tobogganing to name a few.

Just about every sport you play puts you at some kind of risk of injury. Sometimes that’s what makes it exciting. But it’s definitely not so fun if you injure yourself enough that you can’t do the sport anymore. So the trick is not to avoid risk altogether, but to manage risk and to make smart decisions about risk. You want to minimize the risk of injury so you can keep on playing. That means wearing that helmet, elbow pad, knee pad or whatever safety gear you need so when you wipe out, fall, or get hit (and it will happen) you can get back up and play again.

The other thing to keep in mind when doing winter sports is to know your abilities and play within them. There’s no point in taking that big jump on your board if you can’t handle it. Smart risk is about getting training, knowing your abilities and experience level, and being aware of your environment. Make sure your equipment is in good working order, wear your gear and keep an eye out for hazards. Doing these things will help you manage the risks you take when playing sports and will keep you playing all winter long.
 
Here are some safety recommendations to help protect yourself while you are practicing a sport or are involved in an outdoor activity.  Take a few minutes to read them, it’s good for life.

Recommendations For Hockey

In many provinces in Canada, Hockey is one of the leading causes of injury for young people.  Protect your head and your legs because they’re the most likely places for injury. The most dangerous aspect of hockey is the unfair and aggressive play of other players. Remember that your equipment isn’t foolproof and it doesn’t make you invincible so play smart.

• Make sure you have good skating technique
• Wear protective equipment at all times.  That is:
  • helmet and mask
  • shoulder pads with abdominal protection
  • jock strap
  • neck protector, elbows and shin pads
  • hockey gloves
  • hockey pants, with rib & kidney protection if possible
  • appropriate skates:
    • boots reinforced above the heel to protect your Achilles' tendon,
    • well-sharpened blades covered with plastic at both ends.

 Note. Each piece of equipment must fit you

• Hold your head up when skating; learn to handle the stick and the puck without looking down at them.
• Always attach the helmet strap.
• Do not lean on the stick while skating.
• Make sure access doors to the ice rink are shut once the game has begun.
• Access zones to the ice rink must be safe (not sloping or slippery).
• Check the ice conditions to see if it’s adequate. If it is a lake, make sure the ice is think enough (at least 6 inches or 15 cm)
• 
  • Check that there are no objects embedded in the ice that might be dangerous.
  • Stop the game immediately when a player is injured.
  • Goalposts should be shock-absorbent and should be equipped with a device that allows them to move in case of a violent shock.

Recommendations For Skiing

Downhill

• Choose good quality bindings which are correctly installed and set for your weight, age, and ability.
• Choose poles, boots and skis to fit your size
• Avoid clothing made of smooth material; it increases speed when sliding after a bad fall.
• Get some training; this will increase your skills and abilities and reduce injuries
• Give others room to turn (collisions happen when one skier or snowboarder cuts into another person's path when turning)
• Stay in bounds
• Always, ski in control.

Snowboarding

• Wear a helmet
• Choose good quality bindings
• Know what’s on the other side of a jump
• Stay in bounds
• Get some training; this will increase your skills and abilities and reduce injuries
• Give others room to turn (collisions happen when one skier or snowboarder cuts into another person's path when turning)
• Board in control and avoid dogging up the centre of the run

Tips to Think About:

• Get into good physical condition at least six weeks before the season begins.
• Check your equipment.
• To avoid fatigue (one cause of accidents), take breaks.  If on the hill, make sure that you stop in a safe place where you are visible to other skiers.
• Keep your distance from other skiers.
• Do not transport skis, boots or poles inside the car; put them on the roof rack or in the trunk.

Recommendations For Snow Shoeing & Cross Country Skiing

• Always let someone know where you are going, how long you will be, and a plan of your route  (if you don’t return on time, then have him or her contact emergency or mountain rescue.)
• Have a plan in case of emergency
• Choose trails that are suited to your skills
• Carry a cell phone if you can
• Always be prepared and carry:
  • Extra food & water
  • Extra clothing
  • Sunscreen and sun glasses
  • First aid kit
  • Map and compass
  • Emergency blanket
• Wear appropriate clothing (like wearing several layers of thin clothing)
• Cover your head, hands and feet adequately.
• Keep your distance from the skiers ahead of you, especially on slopes
• If you are in the back country, check avalanch conditions for the area

Recommendations For Sledding

• Wear a protective helmet.
• Wear waterproof and well-insulated clothes.
• Avoid sleds that make the driver think he is in control and safe (eg. with steering)
• Know your abilities and drive within them
• Install padded cushions on toboggans; they will help to reduce back injury.
• Sled on spacious, well-lit areas.
• Sled in specially designated places (local park, recreational site), free of dangerous obstacles and far away from traffic.
• Go sledding in appropriate weather; do not go sledding in snowstorms or in fog, or when it is too cold.
• And whatever you do, DON’T go sledding under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Check avalanche conditions in the area you will be sledding

Some Other Resources to Check Out

Smartrisk
http://www.smartrisk.ca/
Founded in 1992, SMARTRISK has become one of the leading injury prevention groups in Canada and enjoys international recognition and support. SMARTRISK is a national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives.

Injury Free Zone
http://www.injuryfreezone.com
The BC Injury Prevention Centre has put together this is a great site, youth oriented for a change, with some helpful hints, fun games, and recommendations to play safe on the road, in the snow, or doing whatever else you are doing. Check it out!

Canadian Avalanche Association
http://www.avalanche.ca/
This site will give you the latest bulletins of avalanche conditions as well as hiking tips, routes, and resources.

Extra

If you want to learn more, you can go to these websites: