Take precautions when hitting the slope

Posted By By QMI Agency

Posted 2 months ago

MONTREAL — The death of actress Natasha Richardson following a fall at Mont Tremblant last March increased the intensity on the debate of whether skiers should be required by law to wear helmets while on the slopes.

Yesterday however, Quebec's Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Michelle Courchesne has decided not to make the wearing of helmets mandatory on ski hills for the 2009 season. Instead, the focus will be put on educating the public on the importance of protecting yourself while taking part in the popular winter sport.

The new campaign, the details of which will be unveiled in the coming weeks, will aim to increase the number of skiers wearing a helmet and educating others on the dangers of not wearing them.

The government then plans to analyse the results before making a decision on whether to introduce legislation for future ski seasons.

Courchesne had originally expressed her desire to regulate the wearing of helmets for the upcoming season following Richardson's – who wasn't wearing head protection when she fell – tragic death.

After having studied the file however, the minister decided that the focus should be put on promotion, rather than law-making, to encourage people to strap on a helmet.

"There are more than 90 per cent of (children) 12 and under that wear them and 65 per cent of (those) 12 and older," said Courchesne spokesperson Tamara Davis.

TARGET 12+ CROWD

Charles Desourdy, president and CEO of Ski Bromont, said he believes the government made the right decision.

"It's what we have recommended forever," he said. "I believe that it is a personal choice and the government should not interfere in that decision.

For its part, the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) strongly encourages skiers and snowboarders to wear helmets while on the hill.

"The Canadian Standards Association mentioned that the wearing of a helmet on ski hills can reduce the risk of head injury by 60 per cent," said statement released today.

And while the number of accidents on ski hills is getting lower every year, at least 13,000 people were hurt in Quebec in 2007-2008.