Schumacher Injury Leads to Helmet Use Soul Searching

As Michael Schumacher remains in an induced coma (latest reports are that a friend who visited the F1 star in hospital on Friday told reporters that he had been told by surgeons that Schumacher's life was no longer in danger, but there's been no official statement), the world's media is now focusing on what they feel is the main related story of interest – the wearing of ski helmets.

The fact that his Grenoble doctors have said that Schumacher's life was saved at the time of the crash because he was wearing a helmet means the reporting has moved on from the "is there are point in wearing a helmet?" debate to look at further figures which (as the BBC and daily Telegraph have reported) include a book is ski helmet sales since Sunday, which have left retailers in Meribel, where Schumacher was injured, reportedly sold out, to data which seems to show that although the number of people wearing helmets continues to grow, the rate of serious head injuries from ski accidents remains about the same.

The most quoted figures are from the US National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) who report that approximately two thirds of skiers boarders, on average, now wear helmets (it is compulsory to do so in the state of New Jersey, and for employees and those taking lessons at numerous US resorts) that number of serious head injuries remains static.

The conclusions from doctors and others quoted is that skiers and boarders are taking more risks than before, so that while the helmets help, they can't cancel out the increased danger.

Comments include,

"Skiers and boarders wearing helmets think they're invincible."

"Extreme ski movies, HD head cams and events like the X Games inspire people to take risks."

"Easier to use equipment makes it easier for people to get off piste and in to danger when they're not aware of the potential problems they may be making for themselves."

Undoubtedly fat rocker skis have made offpiste accessible to many more people. Strangely I believe it actually makes a lot of runs far safer. Take any somewhere like Chamonix, big terrain and people seemingly going for it regardless of avalanche warnings. The high number of skiers does however do a great job of preventing layers forming on a lot of the offpiste. Objective dangers of rocks, crevasse, serac etc remain but avalanche danger is far less than it should be. Am guessing this is why overall there is little change in the stats even though root cause has probably significantly altered.

Plenty of snow in last 24hrs in N Alps and currently ongoing although freezing level looks to be above 1800m. Enjoy the powder, if you can get high enough for it to be light.