Chief physician Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber: “Call 144 for the rescue service, 140 for the mountain rescue!”
Vienna (OTS) – There is a lot of activity in Austria’s ski areas: bright blue skies and mild temperatures are currently attracting many winter sports enthusiasts to the slopes. The upcoming semester break will further increase the crowds. But the descent doesn’t always end with a well-deserved yeast dumpling at the hut. “The most common injuries include injuries to the extremities, primarily the legs. There’s a lot going on on the slopes, especially during the holiday season, plus the lack of routine for many athletes as well as excessive speeds and overconfidence. This leads to a correspondingly high risk of accidents,” explains Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, chief physician of the Austrian Red Cross.
“Tobogganing is a popular alternative to skiing, especially when the children are younger. But even when tobogganing you reach high speeds and can lose control. If you fall, there is a risk of falling on your head – serious injuries can result,” warns Schreiber. Just last weekend in Styria, a 10-year-old girl may have saved her father’s life after he got off the toboggan run and was seriously injured lying in a stream bed. The rescue workers only got to the seriously injured man thanks to the daughter’s advice.
“Prepare your body”
But how to avoid injuries right from the start? “Before your first descent, check your equipment and be sure to wear a helmet! Prepare your body for your ski holiday with targeted training. With short warm-up and stretching exercises you can reduce the risk of injury when you head out on the slopes. Avoid alcohol,” says Schreiber. Be sure to adapt your riding style and speed to your own ability and be considerate of other skiers and snowboarders.
First aid on the slopes
If a fall does occur, quick first aid is a priority. The Red Cross chief doctor calls for moral courage: “Stop and offer help if someone is lying on the slope. If the person cannot continue driving, it is essential to secure the scene of the accident and thus avoid subsequent accidents. Place skis and poles criss-cross in the snow with enough distance to warn others. Ask passing skiers for help,” says Schreiber. “Check whether the injured person is conscious by speaking loudly and shaking gently and call for help. The rescue service can be reached at 144 and the mountain rescue service at 140.” The injured person should be covered until the rescue services arrive to prevent them from getting cold. Aluminum rescue blankets from the first aid kit are well suited – they even fit in your jacket pocket when packed in a handy manner.
“If the person involved in the accident does not react, take off the ski helmet and check their breathing. If the person is motionless and breathing, place them in a stable position on their side and check their breathing at short intervals. If no breathing can be detected, begin resuscitation immediately: alternately 30 chest compressions and ventilate twice. The resuscitation measures must not be interrupted until the person is breathing normally again or professional help arrives,” emphasizes the chief physician.
Do you want to refresh your first aid knowledge? You can find the next course near you here:
The Red Cross wishes you a nice skiing holiday, take care of yourself!
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Austrian red cross
Susanne Straif
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