Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Lorna Benson
MINNEAPOLIS

Event promotes helmets for winter athletes

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

[image]

The Traumatic Brain Injury Center at the Hennepin County Medical Center will kick off a campaign this weekend to reduce the risk of concussions on ski slopes.

The Get Your Head in Gear campaign is aimed at getting skiers and snowboarders to increase their use of helmets.

HCMC recreation therapist John Price says there is greater scrutiny of head injuries among athletes these days, and many team-based sports have strict guidelines for returning to play after a concussion.

"But in skiing or snowboarding it's not as easy to monitor," Price said, "because it's not as supervised as some of the team sports are. And so I think it's important to get that message out that concussion management or prevention is really, really important. And in these cases it's up to the individual to protect themselves."

Price said skiers and snowboarders are at risk.

"There's incredible g-forces involved when you take the elements of speed and some of the jumps and the impacts that can occur," he said. "Without helmets it's likely that when people don't do a trick correctly, they're going to get a concussion."

He added that even the best skiers should wear helmets. He says he has treated three ski instructors in the past two years who got concussions after being struck by other skiers.

The campaign kicks off from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Buck Hill in Bloomington. Skiers and snowboarders "caught" wearing a helmet by the ski patrol will be eligible for prizes.