Should we wear a helmet for snowsports?

Posted on March 2, 2022

Whether or not we ‘should we wear a helmet for snowsports’ appears to be hugely emotive topic! As part of our drive to increase safety awareness on the pistes we wanted to address some of the myths related to safety when wearing a helmet. This blogpost is not aiming to start a debate, however as a physiotherapist with over 15 years experience in the snow sports industry I would like to validate a few points.

Does wearing a helmet make you ski and snowboard faster and take more risks?

Firstly, to date, there is no substantial, well conducted research to support the idea that wearing a helmet makes your ski and snowboard faster and take more risks. This is purely an anecdotal assumption. You can find any information that you want on the internet; both for and against this. However, there is no robust research to support this theory! Do you drive faster because you are wearing a seatbelt? I don’t think so! For the majority, helmet use does not give you a false sense of security!

For people that are against helmet use due to the theory that more risks are taken, a study suggests that it is the perception that helmet use increased reckless behaviour, rather than actual fact (7). A lot of these assumptions are based on a risk compensation theory which implies that additional safety measures lead us to take more risks. However, this theory is not specific to skiing and therefore should be interpreted with caution.  

In recent years, there has been an increase in the speed that skiers and snowboards travel. However, this is more likely to be due to advances in ski and snowboard equipment and better groomed pistes.  Even 10 years ago, the pistes were less smooth with more lumps and bumps which enforced skiing and snowboarding at slower speeds.  Unfortunately, well manicured pistes can allow skiers and snowboarders to slide at speeds well beyond their capabilities and this is unlikely to be influenced by the use of helmets.

When wearing a helmet, is there a higher risk of neck injury if you have a fall?

If you have an accident whilst wearing a helmet, there is absolutely no substantial evidence to suggest that you are at increased risk of neck injury.

Up to 20 % of ski and snowboarding injuries each year are head injuries (2).  However, head injuries are massively underreported. Most people with a mild concussion sustained on the slopes will not seek medical attention. Most will make a full recovery, however we do not yet fully understand the longer term effects of a concussions on cognitive decline and mental health.

Does wearing a helmet reduce your hearing and restrict your field of vision?

Finally, does wearing a helmet reduce hearing and restrict the field of vision? Interestingly, I know that may instructors feel that they do. A study done by Tudor et, al. (2010) supported the fact that helmets may influence the level of the hearing threshold.  However, it is important to note that improvements in helmet technical specifications have progressed over the last decade.  

In principle, I agree that hearing can be slightly diminished when wearing a helmet, but I do believe it is something that you can get used to. I know that some people will strongly disagree with this statement, and that is ok. Perhaps visual and auditory restrictions is something that manufacturers need to address further? Consider that when choosing a helmet, it is a good idea to try a few different brands and ensure that it is well-fitted to minimise any potential restrictions.

I’ve met people who have never worn a helmet and not had an accident until the day that they put one on! Is this a coincidence or not? We’ll never know!  Many people have skied their entire lives without a helmet and have never had a problem.  However, snowsports are becoming more and more popular, the slopes are busier and people seem to take bigger risks.  It only takes one bad fall or collision to change your life forever. No one is invincible! 

So, should we wear a helmet for snowsports?

Interestingly, as an adult there is no legal obligation to wear a helmet.  Intriguingly, in North America wearing a helmet has been observed to be more common than in European resorts.  Whilst I am pro helmet wearing, I do believe that whether or not you wear a helmet is and should remain a personal choice.  However, I believe that it is essential that dated opinions around the misconception that wearing a helmet increases risk taking behaviour and the risk of neck injury must be addressed.  These are not valid reasons for not wearing a helmet. Any potential risks associated with wearing a helmet must be balanced against the clear benefits.

Head injuries can occur even if you are wearing a helmet.  However, according to a report on skiing and snowboarding injuries from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 1999, 44% of head injuries in adults (~ 7,700 injuries annually) and 53% of head injuries in children under 15 years of age (~2,600 injuries annually) are “potentially preventable” by the use of a safety helmet. Another study suggested that the risk of head in injury was reduced by 35 % in helmet users (5).  

A meta-analysis carried out by Kelly et, al, (2010) concluded that:

‘the use of helmets had a significant protective effect against head injuries among skiers and snowboarders’,

So should we wear a helmet for snowsports? Quite honestly, why wouldn’t you? 

References:

1. Evans B, M.D., Jack T. Gervais, M.D., Kennon Heard, M.D., Morgan Valley, M.S., and  Steven R. Lowenstein, M.D., M.P.H.^*. Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot.  Ski patrollers: Reluctant role models for helmet use Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot. 2009 Mar; 16(1): 9–14. Randomized Controlled Trial Clin J Sport MedInt J Occup Med Environ Health
2. Haider A, MD, MPH,¹Taimur Saleem, MD,¹Jaroslaw W Bilaniuk, MD,² and  Robert D Barraco, MD, MPH³, On behalf of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Injury control / Violence Prevention Committee
3. Journal Trauma Acute Care Surg. An Evidence Based Review: Efficacy of Safety Helmets in Reduction of Head Injuries in Recreational Skiers and Snowboarders 2014 Apr 17. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2012 Nov; 73(5): 1340–1347.
4. Lana Ružić, Anton Tudor, Ivan Radman, Mario Kasović, Vjekoslav Cigrovsk The influence of ski helmets on sound perception and sound localisation on the ski slope. 2015;28(2):389-94.
5. Russell K, MSc, Josh Christie, BHSc, and Brent E. Hagel, PhD.The effect of helmets on the risk of head and neck injuries among skiers and snowboarders: a meta-analysis. CMAJ. 2010 Mar 9; 182(4): 333–340.
6. Sulheim S ¹, Ingar Holme, Arne Ekeland, Roald Bahr  Helmet use and risk of head injuries in alpine skiers and snowboarders. 2006 Feb 22;295(8):919-24.
7. Tudor A ¹, Lana Ruzic, Ivan Bencic, Branko Sestan, Marta Bonifacic. Ski helmets could attenuate the sounds of danger. 2010 May;20(3):173-8.doi: 10.1097/JSM.
8. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission;Skiing Helmets An Evaluation of the Potential to Reduce Head Injury. 1999