Hitting the slopes can be enjoyable and bring about an adrenaline rush that only comes from downhill speed. With skiing, you have the confidence that it takes to maneuver your body to avoid injuries and make it down the hill safely. Even with the best training in the most seasoned athletes, accidents can happen. The National Ski Areas Association reports that on average there are around 38 skiing fatalities and about 42 serious brain injuries each year involving skiers. With a skiing accident, if you hit your head --- especially at fast speeds --- you are susceptible to a brain injury.
Causes
When skiing downhill, speeds can sometimes reach as much as 80 mph or even faster, depending on the slope. Anytime you lose control of your skis or your balance the result can be catastrophic. You can land on your head or topple down the remaining amount of hill while hitting your head on the ground repeatedly. You may also lose control and hit an object such as a tree, pole or other skier. The brunt force from a direct hit going over 20 mph --- even with a helmet --- can cause brain injury. Even if you are on a practice slope, with or without a helmet and you simply fall back onto the ice, you can still experience a head injury.
Brain Injury Types
Your helmet may be able to protect you from some of the brunt force of impact. On the outside, visible welts, scratches, cuts and bruising may appear visibly evident. Some of the most serious types of brain injuries include intraparenchymal hemorrhages and contusions, epidural and subdural hematoma, concussions and skull fractures. According to Drugs.com, skull fractures occur when the bones of the skull crack or break --- this leaves the brain open for injury and unprotected. Intraparenchymal hemorrhages involve bleeding and bruising of the brain and the surrounding tissue. These occur from a blunt force or blow to the head. These are the most severe and can actually cause the brain to bounce or move. Subdural hematomas is where blood collects between the covering of the brain and its surface. This can happen gradually --- even if you are feeling better after a skiing accident. Epidural hematoma involves bleeding inside of the head resulting from a skull fracture. Blood collects and a hematoma forms, building up pressure inside of the brain. In addition to a brain injury there can also be significant damage to the neck and spinal cord, causing irreversible damage. A concussion is the least serious out of most brain injuries, resulting in no visible damage or major bruising to the brain area.
Signs and Symptoms
If you do fall when you are skiing, just because you feel or look fine now, doesn't mean you haven't suffered internal injuries. Brain injuries resulting from a skiing accident are serious and in some cases deadly. You need to seek medical help immediately --- even if you feel fine now. Time can be of the essence with any type of brain injury; the longer you wait the more damage your brain sustains. Some signs of serious injury include loss of consciousness, severe headache, difficulty walking and talking, slurred speech, loss of memory, poor coordination, seizures, paralysis and irrational behavior. It may or may not be apparent to have bruising on the face or neck, a bump on the head, black and blue eyes and clear fluid draining from the nose or eyes.
Solution
Most ski accidents result in a concussion that will heal after resting for a few hours or days post-accident. A more severe head injury can cause permanent damage to the brain resulting in a vegetative state, paralysis, inability to eat or breathe on your own, loss of memory, speech problems, coma or death. You can prevent an accident by always making sure your equipment is in good working order before hitting the powder --- this includes your goggles, helmet, pads, boots and skis. Checking the weather to make sure weather conditions are clear can also prevent visual disturbances. Inspect the slopes if you are unfamiliar with them. If you are backcountry skiing, always inform someone else or a park ranger of your intentions.
