Lids on Kids

This story was published in the New England Ski Journal: December 2002 with 2 accompanying photos

By Heather Burke

What do Vail and Aspen have in common with Maine’s Shawnee Peak this season? Aside from the obvious big vertical and speedy lifts (perhaps I jest a bit here), all of these ski areas are participating in a new children’s helmet program.

The National Ski Area Association (NSAA) has developed the Lids On Kids campaign, aimed at increasing helmet use among kids. Shawnee Peak is backing the initiative by requiring all children ages 12 and under enrolled in a lesson to wear a helmet, following suit with Aspen Skiing Company and Vail Resorts.

Chet Homer, owner of Shawnee Peak said, “We’ve purchased an additional 50 rental helmets, bringing our total number to more than 150. We recommend that parents purchase helmets whenever possible, but we’ve seen to it that our rental shop will be well-equipped to handle the increased demand.” Of course, parents may opt out by signing a waiver to let their child go with a naked noggin.

Meanwhile, Peter Webber of Waterville Valley reports that Booth Creek Resorts have no plans to mandate helmet usage, only to educate parents on the benefits and make helmets available.

To lid your kid or not? Yet another decision that parents must make when outfitting their child for the slopes. And there’s the added cost of purchasing or renting a lid for you kid. But proponents would argue that you can’t put a price tag on your child’s head.

Children fall more often as part of their learning curve, making their heads more susceptible to bumps and bruises. “It is a great way to keep kids’ heads more protected and warm from the winter elements,” says Marc Hauser of Boeri Helmets.

Ironically, the initiative is aimed at children 12 and under, but studies show that the highest injury sector on the slopes is among 12-40 year old males. Traumatic head injury (a head injury involving the brain) makes up 2.6 percent of the reported injuries, according to a 30-year study. So why the big push to get kids in headgear?

The brain injury statistics don’t tell the stories of kids bonking their heads on the hard snow-pack or whacking their noggin on a tree – but are never treated for the incident because of the protection of a helmet.

I can speak for my own two kids whose helmets have come in to play on several minor falls, and worse - collisions with other skiers. Our kids are now strong believers in wearing “brain buckets.” We have lots of funny names (skid lid, cranium cone), but the protection their helmets provide is no joke.

Although few resorts are mandating helmet usage, the ski industry as a whole supports the Lids on Kids initiative, as helmets are a worthwhile safety precaution. And the N.S.A.A. has some strong backers, from the obvious helmet manufacturers (who stand to profit) to some powerful Olympic spokespeople who are chatting up their own head-saving helmet stories while sporting the latest head turning trends

Gold medal snowboarder Ross Powers says, "It's a smart idea for kids to wear helmets. Stuff happens too fast and it could save them when they are out riding the slopes."

Bode Miller says, "When I was six, I got my first helmet. I've never had a more trusty or invaluable piece of equipment. Now that I'm racing and helmets are a requirement, it seems like I never go skiing without one. They're warm and comfortable, and they can save your life if you have an unlucky slip. When you see the pictures of the racers these days, one of the coolest parts is the lid. Some of the decorations are awesome."

Speaking of decorative headgear, how about Picabo Street’s Olympic helmet emblazoned with stars and stripes? Picabo is a fine role model, telling kids, “During my career, the doctors fixed my body several times. Luckily I never hurt my head because you only get one chance with your brain. Wear a helmet."

Boeri’s aerodynamic Ranger shell design comes in cool colors catering to boys and girls alike. Salomon claims to have, “the best protection for kids that want to jump higher and go faster than their parents” in their airspoon, karamba, choopa and ironball helmets. Giro makes a skateboarder style Sonic bucket popular with the pre-pubescent set. Acerbis makes the Ace and the Manta styles for toddlers and juniors.

As a parent, I have learned the consequence of the cool factor. My daughter was giving me a fair amount of grief each ski morning about wearing her “hand-me-down” helmet. When she spotted the leopard helmet, designed by U.S. Ski Team member Chad Fleischer, I caved in and bought it, knowing that she would be psyched to wear the animal print. Haven’t heard any flack since, all I hear is compliments in the lift line on her leopard lid.

Helmet usage is up 3 fold, and helmet style and comfort has improved dramatically. Manufacturers have continued to decrease their weight and bulk, while adding ventilation gadgets, better acoustics, micro-fiber lining and padding and last but not least fashion sense. Some predict that in 5 years, helmet wearers will be the mainstream.

As for the highest risk group of male teens to twenty year olds, perhaps this campaign and other ski safety promotions will spawn a safer, next generation on the slopes. But the message needs to go beyond just helmets – since brain buckets alone will not keep young skiers and riders safe. The opposite could be true, if kids think they can go inverted just because they have head protection.

The good news is that awareness is up. Whether it’s the result of improved equipment or the various safety campaigns, or more likely both, overall ski injury rates are down. Skier visits however, are not up. If resorts start mandating what you and your child must wear on your heads, they may take the fun and freedom out of the sport. Parents need to be trusted to make the best decision for their children.

The campaign slogan, “wear a helmet, it ain’t brain surgery” is clever and I applaud the educational aspect of Lids on Kids. I would just add, it’s my kids’ head; let me decide what goes on it.

For More Information on the Lids On Kids Program and a game page for your kids, go to www.lidsonkids.org



Tips for Proper Tops for Tots:
1. Helmets are measured in centimeters. Use a measuring tape around the forehead, above the ears, to get a number. Ski shops have tapes specifically for helmet sizing.

2. Line up a few different types to find the best fit within your child’s size. And for the sake of peace and harmony on ski mornings - find one that meets the coolness criteria of your young consumer.

3. To put on a helmet properly (you will know if you don’t do this right – you’ll pinch your ears and make a mess of your hairdo), pull the side straps out on both sides while you put the helmet on from back to front.

4. The helmet should fit snuggly, making your eyebrows move up and down, but without pressure points or cutting into the back of you neck.

5. According to the folks at Ovo Helmets, “If the helmet is too low, you won't be able to see and crashing into lift poles is definitely not cool. If the helmet is too high, you'll look like a dork and your helmet won't protect you.” Kids can relate to that logic.

6. Make sure your child’s goggles fit within the helmet opening. You don’t want big wind gaps on your child’s forehead resulting in brain freeze.

7. Always fasten the chinstrap. Leaving the strap flapping is like having airbags but not wearing your seat belt.

8. Do not apply the “they’ll grow into it” philosophy when it comes to your child’s helmet. The helmet’s protection comes from the snug fit. Fortunately your child's head is at 90% of adult size by age three, it does not continue to grow as fast as the rest of the body. Your child should get two seasons out of a helmet, and ski shops offer trade programs.

9. Teach your children to ski like they’re not wearing a helmet. Easier said than done, I realize. Kids, big and small, need to understand that a helmet does not give you superpowers or a license to ski out of control. Helmets provide maximum protection for impacts under 15 m.p.h.

10. If a helmet is involved and damaged in a severe impact, a technician should inspect it. Or - once whacked, it may be cracked, so take it back.

 

 

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