Snowboarding requires fun and safety

This is the 3641th article of Da Yi Xiao Hu

On the 15th day of the first lunar month, the annual Lantern Festival is held. Admiring lanterns, guessing lantern riddles, and eating glutinous rice balls have been the main traditional folk customs of the Lantern Festival in my country since ancient times. Here, the editor also has a lantern riddle, "Wearing a pair of special shoes, the size is too big, running forward in the ice and snow, the speed is as fast as archery (guess a sport)." Have you guessed it?

That's right, it is the new favorite sport that has become popular with the Olympic Games - skiing. It is especially popular among amateurs and teenagers, and has almost set off a "national ice and snow fever". Imagine looking around: surrounded by mountains, shaded by trees, covered with snow, blue sky and white clouds set off each other, and the mountains in the distance are shrouded in fog. How desirable and intoxicating is this poetic and picturesque scene? As a result, from large outdoor ski resorts to small indoor ski training clubs, there are crowds of people.

In fact, skiing is not only a recreational activity, but also a high-risk sport. In 2017, the Winter Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and the China Ski Association jointly issued the "China Skiing Venue Management Standards (2017 Revised Edition)", which clearly pointed out that skiing is a "high-risk sport". Thrills, excitement, and high speed are its attractions, but they are also the dangers. To some extent, skiing is similar to driving. When the speed is very high and there is an obstacle in front of you, it is difficult for the body to coordinate in the first time due to inertia. If the reaction is a little hesitant and there is no time to brake, the vehicle will rush out, and the lightest is fractures, limb injuries, and the worst is life-threatening. The consequences can be imagined. According to incomplete statistics, personal injury accidents have occurred frequently in ski resorts in my country in recent years (see Table 1* for details). Therefore, skiers themselves must strengthen their safety awareness.

So how can you enjoy skiing and be safe?

The editor believes that in addition to mastering skiing skills and flexible adaptability, safety protection equipment and quick and accurate self-first aid knowledge are important guarantees. Safety protection equipment is generally provided by ski resorts and can be rented. Large protective equipment such as ski suits, gloves, and snowshoes can be selected in the right size and worn correctly; small protective equipment is easily overlooked, but it is indispensable, such as helmets, which can effectively reduce the risk of head injuries and avoid fatal trauma; snow goggles can withstand strong ultraviolet rays and wind and snow to prevent snow blindness; ski masks can prevent frostbite on exposed skin such as the tip of the nose and cheeks; protective gear such as wrist guards, knee pads, and hip guards can prevent joint injuries and play a role in fixing and stabilizing.

Now that you have all the equipment, can you start your wonderful snow trip? There is one more step: warm up! Don’t underestimate it. Warming up for 10-15 minutes before skiing can promote blood circulation, increase muscle oxygen content, activate the body’s motor function in a short period of time, make subsequent exercise more comfortable, and reduce injuries caused by exercise. For novices, it can also relieve back pain and muscle cramps the next day.

When skiing, many people are most afraid of falling down, fearing that people will laugh at them as torpedoes. In fact, falling down is also a science, and the posture is very particular. The correct way to fall down and effective self-rescue can minimize the damage to the body. How to say it? The common "butt squat", supporting the ground with hands, or rolling the body at will are all wrong ways. When falling down, there are also "five steps", one is to quickly throw away the snowballs; two is to slide along the trend; three is to squat down instantly and lower the center of gravity; four is to hug your chest with both hands; five is to fall to the side and back. After falling down, if it is not serious, you must get up and leave quickly to avoid collision with the back.

When spring comes and flowers bloom, it is time to invite a few friends to go to a regular ski resort accompanied by professionals, embrace the world of ice and snow, and experience endless fun.

References:

1*, Lin Li, Zhang Xiaojun, Wang Jucui. Research on safety risks and prevention measures of ski resorts[J]. China Emergency Management, 2021(11).

Author: Changning District Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Magic Sister Lily

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