YOUTUBE.COM - VERY SERIOUS HEAD INJURY FROM SKATEBOARDING:
WORST SKATEBOARDING INJURIES STORIES:
http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/35/5/325
Abstract
QUANTITATE
Background—Skateboarding injuries have increased with the rise in popularity of the sport, and the injury pattern can be expected to have changed with the development of both skateboard tricks and the materials used for skateboard construction.
Objective—To describe the injury pattern of today.
Methods—The pattern of injuries, circumstances, and severity were investigated in a study of all 139 people injured in skateboarding accidents during the period 1995–1998 inclusive and admitted to the University Hospital of Umeå. This is the only hospital in the area, serving a population of 135 000.
Results—Three of the 139 injured were pedestrians hit by a skateboard rider; the rest were riders. The age range was 7–47 years (mean 16). The severity of the injuries was minor (AIS 1) to moderate (AIS 2); fractures were classified as moderate. The annual number of injuries increased during the study period. Fractures were found in 29% of the casualties, and four children had concussion. The most common fractures were of the ankle and wrist. Older patients had less severe injuries, mainly sprains and soft tissue injuries. Most children were injured while skateboarding on ramps and at arenas; only 12 (9%) were injured while skateboarding on roads. Some 37% of the injuries occurred because of a loss of balance, and 26% because of a failed trick attempt. Falls caused by surface irregularities resulted in the highest proportion of the moderate injuries.
Conclusions—Skateboarding should be restricted to supervised skateboard parks, and skateboarders should be required to wear protective gear. These measures would reduce the number of skateboarders injured in motor vehicle collisions, reduce the personal injuries among skateboarders, and reduce the number of pedestrians injured in collisions with skateboarders.
With the current youth's opinion that helmets and protective padding standing strong are "dorky" or "uncool," most children skating in skate parks choose not to wear them. And considering the parks remain unsupervised, skate-at-your-own-risk facilities, it has become easier then ever to get away with it.
Helmets have been shown in studies to reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by 90 percent.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,600 persons need hospital emergency room treatment each year for injuries related to skateboarding. Fractures are frequent occurrences, and death as a result of collisions with motor vehicles and falls are also reported.
Neurosurgeon Dr. David Shafron said skateboard injuries are common among patients he sees annually, with concussions ranking highest among these injuries.
"Concussions are by far the most common thing I see, meaning their level of alertness has been altered in any way, they are not necessarily knocked out," he said. "I usually get more involved when there's a loss of consciousness or skull fracture."
"Concussions are by far the most common thing I see, meaning their level of alertness has been altered in any way, they are not necessarily knocked out," he said. "I usually get more involved when there's a loss of consciousness or skull fracture."
These statistics are serious. My own children are not enticed by skateboards (thank goodness) yet they do love to glide around on "wheelies." It scares me to death.
I remember as a child never wearing a helmet to ride my 10 speed. But who would do so today? The fact is safety may not be fashionable but it should be.
Believe it or not, more than 25,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for skateboard-related injuries every year. Some of those injuries can be severe, and skateboarders have been killed by head injuries and collisions with cars.
Experienced skaters get hurt, too. As the difficulty of tricks increases, so does the risk of injury, while things like rocks and poor riding surfaces are always a threat.
SAFTEY GUIDELINES: QUALITATIVE
It may seem like all you need to start skateboarding is a board and an attitude — until your first wipeout. Asphalt, concrete, wood, and other common riding surfaces have one thing in common: none of them is soft. Helmets are a must for all skateboarders, and all beginners should use pads until they gain more experience.
Here are some of the things you'll need to get started:
- Skateboard. Different boards do different things. If you're mountain-boarding, you'll want a big board with knobby tires. In the park, you'll want something considerably smaller. Make sure you have the right board for your activity and that all of its parts are in working order. Check your board for cracks, sharp edges, damaged wheels, and loose parts before you skate.
- Helmet. Get a helmet that is specifically meant for skateboarding, not some other activity. Look for a sticker inside the helmet saying it meets the ASTM F1492 skateboard helmet standard. All helmets should have a strong strap and buckle, and the strap should be securely fastened and snug any time you ride.
- Shoes. Skateboarding is tough on shoes, not to mention feet and ankles. Spend a little extra money and get a good pair of shoes made with leather or suede. Be sure the soles are made of grippy gum rubber, not regular shoe rubber, and that the shoes fit properly.
- Pads. All beginners should start off with at least knee and elbow pads, which are recommended for riders of all levels. These should have a hard plastic shield and should not hinder your movements. Make sure any pads you wear are snug without constricting your circulation.
- Other Gear. Wrist guards, hip pads, skateboard gloves, and padded jackets and shorts are all available and are a good idea for beginners. Mouthguards are good protection against concussions and broken teeth.
GUIDANCE ON SKATEBOARDING
While Riding
You will fall while skateboarding. That much is a given. So:
- Learning how to fall properly can help reduce your chances of injury. If you start to lose your balance, crouch down so you will not have as far to fall. Try to land on the fleshy parts of your body and roll rather than breaking a fall with your arms and hands.
- Bigger tricks and bigger features equal bigger injuries. Once you've learned a couple of tricks, practice them a lot before you move on to more complicated maneuvers. Leave the gnarly stuff to the experts until you're experienced enough to pull it off safely.
- Know and practice skateboarder etiquette. If you're at a crowded skate park, wait your turn instead of jumping blindly into the bowl. This will not only keep fights from breaking out, it will also help you avoid colliding with another skater.
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