Hazards in a Winter Wonderland
by Bobbie Jo Moore

Although the song, "Walking in aWinter Wonderland" makes Jack Frost seem like the perfect outdoor recreation mate, don't let it fool you! From walking to skiing and even sledding, wintertime activities have the potential to cause serious injury.

Despite the fact that skiing has long been infamous for keeping winter recreation enthusiasts cast or crutch laden, sledding can be just as deadly. According to the Statewide Childhood Injury Prevention Program, 1.8 percent of all sports and recreational injuries in the U.S. are due to sledding accidents. While no data is available on the number of U.S. sledding-related injuries, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that tobogganing alone accounted for 1, 574 injuries in 1991.

A Massachusetts study found that 21 percent of all sledding-related accidents resulted in concussions, internal injuries or fractures. Nine percent required hospitalization, reported the 1990 study by Robert Dershewitz, chief of pediatrics at the Harvard Community Health Plan in Braintree, Massachusetts. Though these statistics are startling, Dershewitz offers eight tips which can help prevent such hazards. For quick recall, Dershewitz has arranged the first letters of each tip to combine to spell the word "sledding."

S — Snow packed and not icy. Ice increases speed, can cause loss of control, and is a less resilient surface on impact.

L — Long runoff. A flat runoff zone at the bottom of the slope is necessary for the sled to decelerate.

E — Examine area. Sled in a well-maintained and safe area, i.e., not traversed by cars and free of obvious hazards such as large rocks, posts and trees.

D — Dress properly. Ideally, a helmet should be worn. Protective gloves and boots are also recommended.

D — Do not sled lying stomach-down, which increases the risk of a head injury. Sitting up on a toboggan or sled also can be dangerous. The safest position is lying on the back, feet first.

I — Incline should not be steep. A hill that is too steep may increase the risk of a serous injury if a fall or crash occurs.

N — Nonreckless behavior. Avoid alcohol consumption and wild behavior when sledding.

G — Good condition of sled. Sleds without a steering mechanism may limit the ability to avoid hazards.

These tips seem simple enough for sledding, but what can one do to avoid the perils of skiing? Believe it or not, by just preparing the muscles before donning those slippery skis can significantly decrease the risks of injury.

Melbourne Boynton, a sports medicine specialist and an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee says that the majority of injuries seen in downhill skiing are related to poor conditioning. "Often people decide to take a ski trip, and they aren't in the same condition they were a few years ago. So they ski all day, and the muscles become fatigued."

Fatigued muscles can lead to a tired, faltering, injury-prone skier. Because muscles support the ligaments that secure joints (knees, ankles, hips, wrists), when the muscles aren't toned properly, the body may not be able to control the forces exerted on it during skiing. However, simply toning the muscles is not always enough. Injury may still result if the skier has not incorporated a regular program of stretching into his or her conditioning program.

Stretching increases flexibility, which is a crucial component of a skier's condition. Unless a skier incorporates a regular program of stretching, the fibers around the joints tighten up. Therefore, the inability of the body to adjust to changes of direction can result in a ligament strain or rupture.

Aside from muscle-strengthening and stretching, running and other aerobic exercises should be performed before embarking on a ski trip. Bob Ramsey, director of skiing at Devil's Head, near Merrimac, Wisconsin, says skiers should prepare for cross-country skiing by walking, hiking or jumping rope. "You don't have to run 20 miles a day ... but you should do something," he says.

34 * Illinois Parks & Recreation * January/February 1994

Other advice Ramsey offers is to break in new boots before skiing, listen to your body and drink plenty of fluids, especially water.

Perhaps one of the most dangerous winter recreational activities is snowmobiling. This year in Illinois, snowmobile deaths hit the highest level ever recorded. Usually, no more than one or two snowmobile deaths occur during the season, but already eight people have been killed this winter. Officials say that a heavy snowfall will attract snowmobilers who may be new to the sport or have not been on a machine in years. Alcohol consumption during snowmobile outings has also been a factor in the increased death rate. At least five of the eight deaths this season are suspected to have been alcohol-related.

Currently, there are some state regulations which govern the use of snowmobiles, but conservation officials say the death toll this year may signal the enforcement of stricter laws. In most snowmobile accidents, the cause is ignorance of or failure to respect the most basic safety rules — usually riding too close to a roadway. Outdoor enthusiasts should be reminded that the Illinois Department of Conservation offers free snowmobile safety courses.

Even though sledding, skiing and snowmobiling are fast-paced winter activities, something as quiet and relaxing as ice fishing can also be hazardous. Consequently, it is worthwhile to become refreshed on some ice fishing safety tips.

The most important thing to remember is to stay off ice less than two inches thick. A single person on foot can be supported on two inches of ice. Three inches of ice will support a group of fishermen walking single-file, and for a group of people walking together, four inches of ice or more is recommended.

No matter how thick the ice, however, fishermen should always prepare themselves with an agreed-upon emergency plan. Carrying a long pole or a strong rope that can be extended to someone in the water is always a good idea, and a final rule-of-thumb: if the ice is questionable, keep off of it.

So, while your patrons are out enjoying that "Winter Wonderland," make sure they are aware of these safety tips. Remember; the weather outside really can be frightful!

Bobbie Jo Moore is Public Relations Coordinator for the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

35 * Illinois Parks & Recreation * January/February 1994