Should ski patrollers be required to wear helmets???

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Earlier when I was skiing, I noticed that a large percentage of the ski patrollers at Blue mountain do not wear helmets. Some just wear a hat, earmuffs or a headband. I sort of feel like the ski patrollers should set an example and ski with a helmet. What does everybody thing? The same for ski instructors..and I also feel that they should be required for the terrain park..

 

[gmcunni]

to each his own. i just started wearing a helmet last year after many years of skiing. i hate having somehting on my head, i'd only wear a hat when it was absolutely necessary. i imagine this spring when it warms up i'll lose the helmet.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Over on PASR..people are saying that it should be required by all mountain employees with respect to workmans compensation insurance..Yes a helmet isn't as fashionable as a dinosaur hat but it keeps your head safe and warm..

 

[campgottagopee]

Voted no---personal choice

 

[RootDKJ]

I voted yes because 1st rule in EMS is rescuer safety.

 

[millerm277]

Voted no. In favor of personal choice as well.

 

[deadheadskier]

To each their own. There's no compelling reason not to wear a helmet and after making the switch, I'd never go back. I even wore mine on a 60 degree day last spring. Yes it was hot, but I made it few runs without it and something just seemed off.

If I was a mountain manager, I would require all employees to wear one, but I'd also supply it for them as part of their uniform. I've worked at plenty of restaurants over the years that required no slip shoes and supplied them for the workers.

 

[AtomicSkier]

It's one thing if you're out skiing with friends, then sure, it's personal choice, though I still say you're a moron for not wearing a helmet, but when you're getting paid by the mountain, who has to pay workers comp, etc, you should be required to wear a helmet. At that point it shouldn't be personal preference.

At my mountain, I'd make them wear helmets If anything, it sets a good example for all the idiots who aren't.

 

[campgottagopee]

It's one thing if you're out skiing with friends, then sure, it's personal choice, though I still say you're a moron for not wearing a helmet, but when you're getting paid by the mountain, who has to pay workers comp, etc, you should be required to wear a helmet. At that point it shouldn't be personal preference.

At my mountain, I'd make them wear helmets If anything, it sets a good example for all the idiots who aren't.

Snot nice to call people morons

 

[AtomicSkier]

Snot nice to call people morons

Sorry I guess that was rude.

People not wearing helmets is darwinism at its finest.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

For those who talk about helmets being hot for spring skiing..most good helmets have nice vents like the Giro Fuse which can be found online for $50..and you can remove the earflaps to make it similar to a bike helmet..when I start mountain biking in the spring, I'm getting a full face helmet..

Here is a good example....here in PA, there are no motorcycle helmet laws. I'd say 3/4 of motorcyclists wear one and the other 1/4 don't. I bet 100% of bike cops wear one..not only are they keeping their brains intact but are setting a good example..

If you still want to wear your headband...try this example. Grab a melon..and drop it on the kitchen floor from shoulder height..Grab another melon..stick it in a ski helmet..then drop it on the kitchen floor..which melon would you rather have as your head..

 

[skibumtress]

I voted yes because 1st rule in EMS is rescuer safety.

I agree. Also sets a good example.

 

[playoutside]

voted no. but would hope they would do so to set an example. I do think it's ok for a resort to require it if they are paid emps.

 

[gmcunni]

For those who talk about helmets being hot for spring skiing..most good helmets have nice vents like the Giro Fuse which can be found online for $50..and you can remove the earflaps to make it similar to a bike helmet..

yeah, i have that helmet. just don't like wearing it when it is warm.:smash:

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

yeah, i have that helmet. just don't like wearing it when it is warm.:smash:

My next helmet is going to be Camo..

 

[gmcunni]

My next helmet is going to be Camo..

really? i figured you had many different covers for your helmet, switching up every day depending on your mood ;-)

 

[campgottagopee]

Sorry I guess that was rude.

People not wearing helmets is darwinism at its finest.

Much better

 

[millerm277]

It's one thing if you're out skiing with friends, then sure, it's personal choice, though I still say you're a moron for not wearing a helmet, but when you're getting paid by the mountain, who has to pay workers comp, etc, you should be required to wear a helmet. At that point it shouldn't be personal preference.

Possibly true. But you have to realize also, that a LOT of ski patrollers are volunteers, not paid employees.

 

[RootDKJ]

Sorry I guess that was rude.

People not wearing helmets is darwinism at its finest.

Lol. Hahahahaha

 

[ski63]

I skiied 40 years w/out and the last 4 with a helmet. Not skiing with a helmet would never be an option for me today. A helmet is always warmer in cold weather and a good helmet lets you remove liner parts to provide ventilation for warmer weather.

That said, it seems really strange that ALL patrollers would not wear a helmet. A patroller is supposed to set the example whenever they are on the slopes.

On a personal note, I had a fall the first year I wore a helmet that I am sure would have been a serious concusion. I got up, found my skiis and had a great rest of the season.

The way I see it, a helmet maximizes that chances that I will be skiing for many more years.