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Shane was celebrating his 12th birthday on January 30th. His family had gathered for the occasion, enjoying a special feast at Red Lobster, while exchanging presents
. Fourteen-year-old Nicole, Shane's older sister, was without a gift for Shane. In it's place she offered her companionship, and asked if he would like to go skiing with her and her friend Joey that upcoming Saturday.
Typical of any younger child in the household, Shane's face lit up at the offer. Invitations to spend time with older siblings and their friends don't present themselves every day. This he eagerly accepted, and they worked out the details for a skiing trip.
As the big day rolled around, the kids packed themselves into the car and headed for Afton Alps, a ski areas just south of their home in Stillwater, Minnesota. Nicola promised to be back by 6pm.
Most of the day went by without incident. But as the evening rolled around, after skiing on the beginner slopes all day, Shane got courageous and wanted to finish the outing by trying his skills on an expert slope called 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 trying to navigate a mogul on the advanced run, he fell. As he got back up and attempted to regain his composure, he was hit from behind by another skier and down fell once more. This time he didn't rise up again. He didn't even move.
A first-aid sled arrived later to find Shane lifeless on the mountain. When attempts at artificial respiration didn't work, an ambulance was called. Shane was rushed to the hospital.
His mother, Melody, received 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. *
Methods to help kids survive on ski slopes.
Ski accidents such as this don't always get a lot of publicity, but they happen in significant numbers each year. Though we think of the snow as providing a cushion, skiing can be just as dangerous as riding a bicycle in the street. Taking a few simple precautions will greatly reduce this risk.
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. Outfit your kids in bright colors, in order that they can be easily seen by other skiers. Browns, whites, greens, and certain shades of blue may blend into the landscape. If nothing else, have them wear a bright-colored scarf or cap.
* This story is from Melody Beattie, "Letting Go," in Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul, page 274-280, Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications.
More Information:
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.
. Fourteen-year-old Nicole, Shane's older sister, was without a gift for Shane. In it's place she offered her companionship, and asked if he would like to go skiing with her and her friend Joey that upcoming Saturday.
Typical of any younger child in the household, Shane's face lit up at the offer. Invitations to spend time with older siblings and their friends don't present themselves every day. This he eagerly accepted, and they worked out the details for a skiing trip.
As the big day rolled around, the kids packed themselves into the car and headed for Afton Alps, a ski areas just south of their home in Stillwater, Minnesota. Nicola promised to be back by 6pm.
Most of the day went by without incident. But as the evening rolled around, after skiing on the beginner slopes all day, Shane got courageous and wanted to finish the outing by trying his skills on an expert slope called 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 trying to navigate a mogul on the advanced run, he fell. As he got back up and attempted to regain his composure, he was hit from behind by another skier and down fell once more. This time he didn't rise up again. He didn't even move.
A first-aid sled arrived later to find Shane lifeless on the mountain. When attempts at artificial respiration didn't work, an ambulance was called. Shane was rushed to the hospital.
His mother, Melody, received 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. *
Methods to help kids survive on ski slopes.
Ski accidents such as this don't always get a lot of publicity, but they happen in significant numbers each year. Though we think of the snow as providing a cushion, skiing can be just as dangerous as riding a bicycle in the street. Taking a few simple precautions will greatly reduce this risk.
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. Outfit your kids in bright colors, in order that they can be easily seen by other skiers. Browns, whites, greens, and certain shades of blue may blend into the landscape. If nothing else, have them wear a bright-colored scarf or cap.
* This story is from Melody Beattie, "Letting Go," in Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul, page 274-280, Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications.
More Information:
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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