What Safety Equipment Is Needed When Inline Skating?

According to a 2009 report from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 17 million Americans inline skate—and in 2007, more than 61,000 people were treated for inline skating-related injuries. Many injuries can be prevented by wearing the correct safety equipment, especially when first learning to skate or learning a new skill.

History

Although the concept of inline skates has been around for nearly 200 years, this type of skating didn't become popular until the company Rollerblade came to prominence in America in the mid 1980s. As the sport grew in popularity, so did the number of injuries suffered by participants. A 1998 report on inline skating injuries from the American Academy of Pediatrics noted that in 1996, about 76,000 children and teenagers suffered inline skating injuries, leading researchers to suggest: "Wearing proper gear is essential for safe skating."

Head Protection

Inline skaters may suffer head injuries from falling or running into objects. Helmets specifically designed for skating offer impact protection; skaters may also make do with a bicycle helmet. According to an inline skating safety guide from Texas A&M University, helmets should fit snugly, not shifting on the head, with the front edge sitting about an inch above your eyebrows. The guide recommends looking for helmets that are safety tested and certified by the Consumer Products Safety Commission or CPSC, the American Society of Testing Materials or ASTM and the American National Standards Institute or ANSI. Helmets should be replaced after a crash or every five years.

Wrist Protection

Many inline skating accidents involve falling forward, backward or sideways onto the hands; according to the Texas A&M guide, the most common inline skating injury is a broken wrist. Wrist guards have long been recognized as essential for preventing serious injury. The 1998 American Academy of Pediatrics report cited research that showed 87 percent of wrist injuries from inline skating could be prevented by wearing wrist guards, which can help absorb impact, prevent sudden hyperextension, dissipate the force of the fall by sliding and protect wearers from pavement scrapes.

Padding

Knee and elbow pads can absorb the shock of falls and help protect you from scrapes and injury while inline skating. These pads come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and offer different amounts of protection. Choose a style that corresponds to your skill and the type of skating you do: a halfpipe or park skater may need more padding than someone who skates on roads and paths. Make sure knee and elbow pads fit snugly—but not too tightly—and don't slip out of place when you hit the ground or other objects.

Considerations

While skates might not be specifically considered safety equipment, they are an essential part of skater safety. Skates should fit snugly; according to Texas A&M, skates that are too tight will not support your ankle correctly and will be difficult to control. Make sure that your skates and wheels are in good working order before skating: all bolts are tight, laces and straps are secure, wheels spin correctly and the brakes—if your skates have them—aren't too worn down.
Also, the Texas A&M safety guide recommends wearing bright colors when skating outdoors so you're more visible to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians with whom you're sharing roads or paths.