10 July 2008
Fresh snow falls in Victorian ski fields have prompted a leading Monash University injury prevention expert to warn of a spate of injuries on the slopes this winter unless skiers and snowboarders follow recommended safety measures.
Erin Cassell, the Director of the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU) at the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC), said if good snowfalls continued the associated increased activity on the slopes could lead to a spike in injuries to match or exceed levels during the bumper 2004 season.
Ms Cassell said recently released hospital data showed snow sport-related injuries in Victoria peaked four years ago, a year of heavy snowfall and high activity on the slopes, when 337 injured skiers and snowboarders were admitted to hospital and a further 239 presented to hospital emergency departments (ED) for treatment.
There were 256 hospital admissions and 195 ED presentations the following year in 2005, and 175 hospital admissions and 124 ED presentations in 2006, when less snow fell. Data for 2007 is not yet available.
In total from 2004 to 2006, there were 768 hospital admissions and 558 ED presentations of skiers and snowboarders in Victoria. There were also two deaths, which occurred in downhill skiing when the skiers lost control and collided with trees.
Ms Cassell said skiers accounted for about two-thirds of the hospital admissions but snowboarders accounted for 60 per cent of the ED presentations.
She said falls caused approximately three-quarters of all injuries and more than half of the hospital admissions were due to fractures, most commonly to the lower leg, forearm or wrist. There were also 130 cases of head injuries.
"Skiers and snowboarders should wear protective equipment including helmets and snowboarders should wear wristguards," Ms Cassell said.
"Skiers and snowboarders should also pay careful attention to their nutrition and hydration needs, abstain from or limit their alcohol intake."
"They should also take a snow safety training course and falls training is recommended for advanced skiers."
For further information and interviews please contact Erin Cassell on +61 3 9905 1857 or Colin Vickery, Media Officer, MUARC, on +61 419 302 520. | 
