How do you explain the risks.

Spoke to eldest daughter,20yrs, about July snow trip. All keen as mustard earlier. Now as
it dawns closer, she comes out with;
" I do not want to end up like Liam Neeson's wife!"
For the record she will be learning to snowboard with her sister 17yrs(Int.level) and uncle.
I will be skiing with my son 12yrs(Int.level). I have 3 helmets to wear and they all fit.
I thought this may be an outcome from that tragedy in Canada. I wish there was more details
as to how it happenned, here in OZ we get headlines and funeral shots only. I wish i could say
it was because of hitting a tree, an uncovered rock or skiing in advanced areas and not on beginners
slopes.
I know Ms.Richardson was learning to ski?
Has that been confirmed?
I know it was a tragedy, but what do i say to my daughter?
Vince

I think it is a extremely rare occurrence for a beginning skier to suffer a fatal head injury. There are many sports where a beginner seems much more likely to suffer a head injury, from inline/ice skating, to mountain biking. It's like flying in a plane. The perceived risk is much greater than the real risk. It's normal that people are more worried about flying after there has been a plane crash, and the Natasha Richardson death has had the same effect on people's perceptions.
Wearing a helmet can help mitigate the small risk even further.

When people start going faster (than beginners) and taking on more difficult terrain, the risk increases, but the skier is starting to get the experience to choose the risk level they are comfortable with. It's that beginner stage where people feel they are taking a leap in the dark. Fortunately, it's relatively safe.

Trencher

Trencher,
Thanks for the words and logical approach. I will
mention it again soon to gauge the intent whether
it was whimsical throwaway line or serious concern.

Vincentus wrote:Trencher,
Thanks for the words and logical approach. I will
mention it again soon to gauge the intent whether
it was whimsical throwaway line or serious concern.

There is a danger in everything we do and I think common sense must prevail otherwise we will all be wrapped up in cotton wool.....what is going to happen next year, I don't know about you but I'm gonna live life to the full

Ian Wickham There is a danger in everything we do and I think common sense must prevail otherwise we will all be wrapped up in cotton wool.....what is going to happen next year, I don't know about you but I'm gonna live life to the full [/quote wrote:

Have to agree with you Ian. I have a friend whose Dad died this year from a head injury after falling down some stairs. And just this week, a woman I knew really well died in her sleep at age 43. I just think we need to make our lives as special as we can, while we can )