by Nathan Morello

December 2010 — I have been snowboarding since 1989. I had the original Sims Switchblade snowboard, which looked like a red missile with straps for bindings. We used to wear Sorel boots with inner removable bladders. Our equipment lacked technology, and we didn’t wear helmets.

Those of us who grew up skating and snowboarding without helmets have certainly had our fair share of concussions and whiplash from the inevitable falls that occur with these types of sports, and we have experienced the consequences of misdiagnosed and untreated injuries. It’s too late to worry about the past, but it’s never too late to protect ourselves and our children from future accidents.

Controlled studies have shown that a rider who does not wear a helmet is two to three times more likely to suffer a head injury in a crash than someone who is wearing a helmet. Another study reported that wearing a helmet reduced the risk of head injuries by 29 percent among skiers and snowboarders. According to the National Ski Areas Association, an average of 38 people nationwide die annually from skiing or snowboarding, and about 42 people suffer crippling or serious injuries per year. In head-injury cases where children are not wearing helmets, their brain suffers more trauma; they are also likely to recover more slowly and be left with permanent brain damage.

© Serban Enache | Dreamstime.com

Because of the magnitude of the forces on the head and neck during impact, falls from snowboarding — even at slow speeds — can easily result in whiplash and minor concussions. Gravitational forces make a person’s head weigh more; falling at 6 mph is approximately 6 G-forces, giving it the effect of weighing 36 kilograms (79 pounds). When hit by such dramatic forces, your body can sustain dangerous and damaging whiplash from hyperextension and hyperflexion — the extreme forward and backward motion of the spine outside of its normal limits.

As a chiropractor, I have seen several different clinical presentations for children and adults who don’t wear helmets or who suffer from a severe fall while wearing helmets. Kids don’t usually complain about neck pain, but it’s very important for parents to look for any signs of dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, increased irritability or tiredness. Adults tend to have headaches, memory loss and difficulty concentrating, with associated neck pain.

If you or your child experience serious falls this winter and you recognize any of the symptoms mentioned above, please seek out proper medical care. Initially, this should include a diagnosis through an MRI to determine the extent of soft-tissue damage. Treatment should also include a referral to the proper specialists — such as a neurologist, physical therapist or chiropractor — to eliminate pain and symptoms and decrease scar tissue so the patient doesn’t suffer for an extended period of time.

Minors are currently required to wear helmets with bicycles, skates, skateboards and scooters. Oddly, skiing and snowboarding haven’t been included. The good news is that Governor Schwarzenegger signed the California Ski Helmet Law, which would fine violators — the parents! — $25 and help increase safety on the slopes; the bad news is that the law won’t go into effect until next year, at best, because a requisite companion bill was vetoed.

Where does that leave parents with little snowboarders and adults who still enjoy charging the slopes? Buy and wear your helmet! Helmets are comfortable, cool-looking and relatively inexpensive — under $50 — when you consider that a helmet can save your life.

On the Web:

League of American Bicyclists: Helmet use when cycling

Effectiveness of helmets in skiers and snowboarders

California child ski helmet law signed, then shelved by related veto

California considers mandatory ski helmet laws

Nathan Morello, D.C., is a chiropractor, a massage therapist and a whiplash- and sports-injury expert. His office is located at 1177 Mission Road, Suite C, South San Francisco. You may contact him at 650-225-9900 or www.morellofamilychiro.com.