Wearing helmets can protect skiers from head injuries, fatalities

TORONTO - The tragic death of actress Natasha Richardson earlier this year, highlighting risks inherent in skiing, could have been prevented with a helmet, says a neurologist.

Richardson died two days after suffering an epidural hematoma (blood clot underneath the skull) and slipping into a coma. What at first appeared to be a minor bump on the head from a fall on a beginner ski slope in Quebec, proved fatal.

“This tragedy likely could have been prevented by wearing a helmet and receiving timely treatment at a trauma centre equipped to handle this type of injury,” said James T Rutka, president-elect of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).

While skiing and snowboarding head injuries tend to be more severe, ice hockey contributes to more such wounds per year than skiing.

Concussions related to ice hockey are commonly caused by collisions and hitting one’s head against the boards and ice. Of the nearly 5,300 ice hockey head injuries in 2008, 1,950 were concussions, said an AANS release.

“As a longtime hockey player, I can say it is a highly enjoyable, but hard-hitting, collision sport. It is important to remember that serious neurological (brain-related) injuries associated with all winter sports can usually be avoided by wearing approved, well-fitting gear and following other safety precautions,” remarked Rutka.