Deadly Slopes
Shane was enjoying his 12th birthday near the end of January. His friends and family had gathered for the event with a special feast at Red Lobster, and giving him their birthday presents. Fourteen-year-old Nicole, Shane's big sister, wasn't able to get a gift for Shane. In it's place she offered her companionship, and asked if he would like to go on a skiing trip with her and her friend Joey the next Saturday.
Like any younger child in the family, Shane's eyes lit up at the offer. Invites to hand out with older siblings and their friends don't come around every day. So he readily accepted, and they made plans for a skiing trip.
On the morning of the big outing, the kids squeezed themselves into the car and set out for Afton Alps, a ski area just south of their home in Stillwater, Minnesota. Nicole reassured her mom they would be back by 6pm.
The better part of the day passed by without any incidents. But as the afternoon came to a close, after having spending his time skiing on the beginner slopes, Shane became fearless and desired to finish the outing by testing his skills on an advanced-skier slope named Trudy's Schuss.
He managed to talk one of Nicole's friends into going along with him. When the two reached the top, there was a moment of hesitation. "Let's face it!" Shane then shouted, digging his poles into the snow and pushing off down the mountain.
While going over a mogul on the expert slope, he fell. As he stood up and struggled to regain his balance, he was hit from behind by another skier and fell once more. This time he didn't get up. He didn't even move.
An emergency team arrived shortly after, only to discover Shane lifeless on the snow. When attempts at artificial respiration failed, an ambulance was called. Shane was rushed to the hospital.
His mother, Melody, got a call from the Afton Alps Ski Patrol at 9 pm. She rushed to the hospital only to have doctors confirm her worst nightmare. Shane was in critical condition. He had a brain injury and cranial swelling, and was being kept alive by life support. Several days later, when there were no signs of life, he was taken off life support, and died immediately. *
Helping kids survive the ski slopes.
Ski related deaths such as this don't always receive a lot of media attention, but they occur in significant numbers every year. Though we might assume the snow would provide a cushion, skiing is just as hazardous as riding a bicycle in the street. Adhering to a few simple precautions can greatly improve your child's safety.
1. Have your child wear a helmet. Head injuries are the primary cause of death on the slopes, and a helmet can reduce the risk of serious injury by up to 60 or 70%. Specialized ski helmets are ideal, but even a bicycle helmet is better than nothing.
2. Like the story cited here, many ski disasters occur when children end up on a course too advanced for them, whether accidentally or intentionally. They wind up the equivalent of a turtle on a busy highway, with more advanced adult skiers rushing around and trying to avoid them. Keep kids to courses that are within their skill level.
3. Dress your child in bright colors, so that they are easily visible to other skiers. Browns, whites, greens, and some blues may blend into the background. If nothing else, have them wear a neon-colored scarf.
* This story is from Melody Beattie, "Letting Go," in Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul, page 274-280, Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications.
About the Author
For more information about ski safety for kids, visit http://www.keepyourchildsafe.org/child-safety-book/seasonal-safety.html and also find other seasonal safety issues. On our website, http://www.keepyourchilldsafe.org/child-safety-info.html you will find guidelines on child safety, with information and free educational resources on every child safety topic. Follow us on Twitter @GCFparents.
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