Every year, thousands of people across the United States are injured on ski lifts. While many of the injuries are minor, some ski lift injuries can be severe. In rare cases, a ski lift accident can even be deadly. Fortunately, it’s possible to avoid many common ski lift accidents by following the right precautions. The following guide, brought to you by the team from ASO Mammoth, a top-tier provider of equipment, repairs, and Mammoth snowboard rentals, provides simple tips on how to stay safe on a ski lift.
Check Your Clothing
When using a ski lift, it’s important to make sure you don’t have any loose straps or other clothing items that could get caught in the ski lift equipment. Many injuries happen when people are undocking from a ski lift. An item of clothing catches in the ski lift chair, and an individual ends up getting dragged by the lift. If the person gets dragged far enough, he or she may fall off the edge of the upper ski lift platform. The best way to avoid the risk of this type of injury is to make sure you have all your ski equipment and gear properly secured.
Be Careful When Getting on the Lift
Another common type of accident occurs when attempting to get on a ski lift. In most cases, these injuries aren’t as severe as injuries caused by dragging. However, they can still be serious in some circumstances. When getting on a ski lift, it’s essential to make sure you’re lined up with the chair as it rotates around the wheel. If you’re out of alignment, you may get knocked off your feet. In some cases, this can result in a broken ankle or head injury, depending on how a person falls.
Monitor Your Children
Approximately one-third of all ski lift injuries involve children under the age of 10. To reduce the risk of injuries to a child, it’s essential to make sure the child recognizes ski lifts can be dangerous. Children should never ride on a ski lift without adult supervision. In addition, a child shouldn’t be placed on an adult’s lap when riding on a ski lift. Also, it’s important to make sure children keep their backs fully pressed against the back of the ski lift chair. Children may want to look over the front of a ski lift while it’s in operation, which can significantly increase the risk of falls. Some ski lifts have specialized lift chairs designed for children that feature pulldown bars or other devices that ensure children won’t fall out.
By following the simple tips in this guide, you’ll be on the way to a safe and enjoyable day of skiing at your favorite resort. If you need more safety advice, the latest in snow gear, or snowboard or ski rentals in Mammoth, ASO Mammoth is the place to go. Drop by and see us when you get to the mountain or give us a call at 760-965-3444.