Ski Bindings Are Key To Safety

It's a great sport, but one that's known for its rough and tumble accidents. When executed correctly, skiing, however, can be a blast. Why else would millions of people a year run out in the cold of winter to strap on skis and hit the slopes?

The draws to this sport are many and include such things as exercise, excitement and even just a love of the snowy scenery. Not as dangerous as many would think, skiing safely can be achieved if those involved take a few precautions. Although there's no sure-fire way to avoid every possible accident, safety measures can be taken to help avoid many of them. Some of the most important things to consider when it comes to safety include:

* Clothing. If it's too binding, uncomfortable or just not warm enough, the skier can become fatigued, miserable, or even worse, not have the necessary range of movement to perform the proper stances while heading downhill. * Skill. Skiing isn't a terribly hard sport to start out in, but basic skills are required. Someone who doesn't know how to navigate a five-foot walk on skis has no business heading for advanced slopes. Common sense is often key in avoiding injury. Training is available at just about every ski slope in the world - taking advantage of it is just plain smart. * Skis. The skis themselves should fit a person correctly. Too long and the control is lost. Shorter is better. This is especially so for beginners. * Eye protection. If the sun's rays are too bright on the white snow, some serious problems can take place. Protecting the eyes, protects you. Wear eye protection, sunglasses if necessary, but do cover the eyes appropriately. * Bindings. When it comes to safety, this might be the No. 1 piece of equipment. The bindings hook you and your boots to the skis. Every single movement from your body intended to control the skis must go through the bindings first. Good bindings also are designed to release a foot if a fall takes place, helping users avoid serious injuries like breaks and torn soft tissues. Make sure the bindings you buy fit your feet, boots and skis correctly and be certain to understand how to set the release setting. Skiing can be a fun and safe sport with some occasional bumps and spills. When common sense, good gear and safety measures are included in the mix, the chances for a problem are greatly reduced. The key is making sure to know what you're doing.