Protect yourself while enjoying winter sports

With the ongoing Beijing Winter Olympics and their outstanding athletic performances, a growing number of people are being attracted to winter sports and enjoying skiing and skating during the holidays.

It is important to learn and improve your skills in ice and snow sports, because your safety comes first. Here are some tips for skiers and snowboarders.

Ice and snow sports can be dangerous

1. Higher speed

When you slide on a skateboard or snowboard, your body moves fast and the risk of falling increases. In the event of a collision, the risk of injury is also higher.

2. Higher requirements for balance

Snow and ice sports require high physical qualities such as strength, endurance, agility and balance. It is not easy for beginners to keep their balance on ice and snow. Once the center of gravity is not well controlled, you could easily fall or collide with others.

3. Higher risk of injury

When playing ice sports, once the body loses its center of gravity, knee or ankle sprains and even lower limb fractures can easily be caused by falls.

If you fall on the hard ice, the instinctive self-protection of using the hands to support the body as it approaches the ground may also cause upper limb joint sprain, dislocation and fracture.

Rules for the conduct of skiers and snowboarders

Before starting ice and snow sports, skiers and snowboarders must wear protective equipment, warm up and learn safety rules. Take skiing as an example. For all skiers, the ten rules for the conduct of skiers and snowboarders of the International Ski Federation (FIS) must be learned before starting skiing.

1.Respect for others

A skier or snowboarder must behave in such a way that he does not endanger or prejudice others.

2.Control of speed and skiing or snowboarding

A skier or snowboarder must move in control.

He must adapt his speed and manner of skiing or snowboarding to his personal ability and to the prevailing conditions of terrain, snow and weather as well as to the density of traffic.

3.Choice of route

A skier or snowboarder coming from behind must choose his route in such way that he does not endanger skiers or snowboarders ahead.

4.Overtaking

A skier or snowboarder may overtake another skier or snowboarder above or below and to the right or to the left provided that he leaves enough space for the overtaken skier or snowboarder to make any voluntary or involuntary movement.

5. Entering, starting and moving upwards

A skier or snowboarder entering a marked run, starting again after stopping or moving upwards on the slopes must look up and down the slopes that he can do so without endangering himself or others.

6. Stopping on the piste

Unless absolutely necessary, a skier or snowboarder must avoid stopping on the piste in narrow places or where visibility is restricted. After a fall in such a place, a skier or snowboarder must move clear of the piste as soon as possible.

7. Climbing and descending on foot

A skier or snowboarder either climbing or descending on foot must keep to the side of the piste.

8.Respect for signs and markings

A skier or snowboarder must respect all signs and markings.

9. Assistance

At accidents, every skier or snowboarder is duty bound to assist.

10. Identification

Every skier or snowboarder and witness, whether a responsible party or not, must exchange names and addresses following an accident.

When participating in ice and snow sports, you should have a clear understanding of yourself and choose events and difficulties accordingly.

In daily practice, you should wear protective gear to protect yourselves and prevent others from being hurt. With safety in mind and in place, you will truly enjoy ice and snow sports.