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A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
Published on: September 21, 2017
Ski patrollers: reluctant role models for helmet use
Bruce Evans1, Jack T Gervais, Kennon Heard
1Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery and the Colorado Emergency Medicine Research Center, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, 12401 E. 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion
|February 20, 2009
Summary
Most ski patrollers know ski helmets prevent traumatic brain injury (TBI) but only 23% wear them. Addressing comfort and perceived recklessness could increase helmet use among these safety role models.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Public Health
- Traumatology
Background:
- Ski helmets significantly reduce traumatic brain injury (TBI) risk.
- Low ski helmet usage rates are a public health concern.
- Ski patrollers, as visible role models, could influence public helmet adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ski patrollers' helmet usage rates, beliefs, and perceived barriers.
- To identify factors predicting helmet use among ski patrollers.
- To inform strategies for increasing helmet adoption in skiing.
Main Methods:
- A written survey was administered to ski patrollers at continuing education conferences.
- Data collected included self-reported helmet use, TBI history, and perceptions of helmet risks/benefits.
- Statistical analysis, including odds ratios, assessed predictors of helmet use, adjusted for skiing experience.
Main Results:
- Only 23% of surveyed ski patrollers reported regular helmet use while on duty.
- Primary reasons for non-use were impaired hearing (35%) and discomfort (29%).
- Despite believing helmets prevent injuries (90%) and their role-model status (92%), many perceived helmets encourage recklessness (39%) or increase injury risk (16%).
Conclusions:
- Ski patrollers recognize helmet benefits but exhibit low personal usage, influenced by comfort and hearing concerns.
- Beliefs that helmets encourage recklessness negatively predict usage.
- Enhancing helmet design for comfort/hearing and educational initiatives addressing perceived risks are crucial for increasing patroller and public helmet use.
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