In message k
Mike Clark wrote:

In message
"Le Dieu" wrote:

... Just bought one and I'm heading out for four days next week. Just
wondering if anyone's got any packing tips. I'm only taking an
overnight bag which won't offer it much in the way of protection.

TIA


I've noticed that many more skiers are now wearing helmets but wonder
whether this decision is based on real knowledge that they are effective
or simply an assumption that they are and also maybe a desire to follow
a fashion?

Certainly with regard to studies of bicycle helmet use the evidence does
not unambiguously make a case in favour of their use.

Have any resorts collected data on proportions of skiers using helmets
and also the proportions of skiers injured in accidents and whether or
not they were wearing a helmet?

Mike

In answer to my own question I've tracked down

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/...6/281?SEARCHID

4th January 2005 Hagel et al "Effectiveness of helmets in skiers and
snowboarders:case-control and crossover study"

This seems to show a protective effect for head injuries but a possible
increased risk of neck injuries when wearing a helmet.

However it would also be interesting to look at the overall population
effect rather than only those sampled in hospital. i.e. what proportion
of skiers and snow boarders were wearing helmets, what were their ages,
sex, level of experience etc, and what proportion had accidents.


Mike
--
o/ \\ // |\ ,_ o Mike Clark
\__,\\ // __o | \ / /\, "A mountain climbing, cycling, skiing,
" || _`\,_ |__\ \ | immunology lecturer, antibody engineer and
` || (_)/ (_) | \corn computer user"