Here are some Popular Winter Sports requiring a little extra safety consideration and preparation for participation.
Skiing, Ice Hockey, Ice Skating, Snowboarding, Snowmobiling, Bobsledding, Backyard Sled Riding, Snowman Building, Snowball Fighting, Ice Fishing, Hunting, Shoveling Outside or even attending any of these outdoor winter sports.
Important Health Risks Associated with Outdoor Winter Sports
HYPOTHERMIA: Hypothermia occurs when the body drops 4 degrees Fahrenheit or more below the normal temperature range of 97.2 to 99.5 degrees. Hypothermia starts when the body’s heat production cannot keep up with the heat loss. The process of heat loss is gradual and sometimes hard to notice, especially in children. Children may be at risk for hypothermia under the following conditions: Exposure to cold weather without proper protection against temperature, wind, rain, ice or snow and Wearing cold and wet clothing for a prolonged period during cold weather conditions.
Signs of Hypothermia: Cold Hands, Feet and Face. Shivering, Listlessness, Drowsiness, Mental Confusion, Shallow Breathing, Stiff Muscles and sometimes Loss of Consciousness.
Important reminders about Hypothermia
Teens with these symptoms should see a doctor immediately. Active rewarming is necessary and this may require specialized equipment in a hospital.
Wearing waterproof and windproof garments and dressing in several layers of warm and loose clothing may prevent hypothermia during cold weather. Wearing a hat is especially important since significant heat loss occurs through the head. Staying dry during cold weather is important.
FROSTBITE: Frostbite occurs when the skin or the body tissue just below the skin freezes.
Signs of Frostbite: include skin that is white, blue or pale. The skin is hard to the touch, tingly and noticeably numb. Frostbite limbs may feel hard like a chunk of wood and the skin may appear mottled or even pale yellow.
Important reminders about Frostbite
Ideally rewarming the area before arriving to help is important but not always practical. Place your hands in your armpits or against a warm area of someone’s body.
Frostbitten areas can also be rewarmed by immersion in warm circulating water. Some pain may be associated with this procedure and blister may form after thawing. In extreme cases tissue damage may result requiring surgical treatment.
Dressing Appropriately for the weather can prevent frostbite. The best materials for keeping moisture away from the skin is polypropylene, polyesters and wool. Gore Tex is an Excellent choice for Hand Protection.
Skiing, Ice Hockey, Ice Skating, Snowboarding, Snowmobiling, Bobsledding, Backyard Sled Riding, Snowman Building, Snowball Fighting, Ice Fishing, Hunting, Shoveling Outside or even attending any of these outdoor winter sports.
Important Health Risks Associated with Outdoor Winter Sports
HYPOTHERMIA: Hypothermia occurs when the body drops 4 degrees Fahrenheit or more below the normal temperature range of 97.2 to 99.5 degrees. Hypothermia starts when the body’s heat production cannot keep up with the heat loss. The process of heat loss is gradual and sometimes hard to notice, especially in children. Children may be at risk for hypothermia under the following conditions: Exposure to cold weather without proper protection against temperature, wind, rain, ice or snow and Wearing cold and wet clothing for a prolonged period during cold weather conditions.
Signs of Hypothermia: Cold Hands, Feet and Face. Shivering, Listlessness, Drowsiness, Mental Confusion, Shallow Breathing, Stiff Muscles and sometimes Loss of Consciousness.
Important reminders about Hypothermia
Teens with these symptoms should see a doctor immediately. Active rewarming is necessary and this may require specialized equipment in a hospital.
Wearing waterproof and windproof garments and dressing in several layers of warm and loose clothing may prevent hypothermia during cold weather. Wearing a hat is especially important since significant heat loss occurs through the head. Staying dry during cold weather is important.
FROSTBITE: Frostbite occurs when the skin or the body tissue just below the skin freezes.
Signs of Frostbite: include skin that is white, blue or pale. The skin is hard to the touch, tingly and noticeably numb. Frostbite limbs may feel hard like a chunk of wood and the skin may appear mottled or even pale yellow.
Important reminders about Frostbite
Ideally rewarming the area before arriving to help is important but not always practical. Place your hands in your armpits or against a warm area of someone’s body.
Frostbitten areas can also be rewarmed by immersion in warm circulating water. Some pain may be associated with this procedure and blister may form after thawing. In extreme cases tissue damage may result requiring surgical treatment.
Dressing Appropriately for the weather can prevent frostbite. The best materials for keeping moisture away from the skin is polypropylene, polyesters and wool. Gore Tex is an Excellent choice for Hand Protection.
FROSTNIP: Frostnip is the term used when the tingling is resolved by simple rewarming procedures and No tissue destruction occurs.
TRENCH FOOT: Trench foot comes from exposure to cold, wet temperatures that are above freezing. This condition occurs when wearing wet soaked socks for prolonged periods of time. The feet become cold,pale and numb. After rewarming they are red and dry and could be painful to the touch. Blisters can develop, sometimes requiring surgical attention. Changing into dry socks can prevent trench foot.
CHILBLAINS: Chilblains is a mild injury which comes from cold and dry exposure. Usually these “cold sores” appear in the facial area or on the hands and feet. Management is usually supportive.
SNOW BLINDNESS: Snow Blindness occurs from exposure large amounts of reflected sunlight often during skiing and especially if not using protective eyewear. Complaints of moderate to severe eye pain, blurred vision and difficulty looking at bright light about 6 to 12 hours after exposure to this condition. Always see a doctor if you suspect you have been affected by this condition. Treatment may include eye patch, antibiotic ointment. The use of sunglasses to reduce the most visible light and 100% of ultraviolet light could help prevent snow blindness.
In addition to all of these important concerns always remember the most frequently reported and most common injuries of these sports also includes the following: Rotator Cuff strains and tears, Dislocated Shoulders and Clavicle Fractures, Broken Arms, Ulnar Collateral Ligament Ruptures, Borken or Fractured Tibia, Foot or Ankle.
For Ice Hockey Participants Fractures of the Cervical Spine is most critical and requires appropriate training by knowledgeable teachers. Best always to remember HEADS UP. NEVER DUCK. Remember that Ice hockey is a Contact Sport and the risk of injury is increased with participation. Proper equipment is necessary to reduce the risk of injury.
Eye Safety is yet another concern for participation in not only Ice Hockey but almost every winter sport mentioned so far. Eye, Face and Head Injury can result from participation in any sport however in male participants these injury percentages are higher. One out of every 5 skiers experience injuries of even the the most minor cases from inexperienced training. Participation in all extreme winter sports require additional protective equipment, preparation for participation and preventative injury planning. See each sport for more detailed informative suggestions. see this article on our website
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