advice > safety

Safety

Here at Wasteland we want to ensure that everyone has an incredible stay in the mountains and most importantly they enjoy it safely. We’ve been doing this a long time now and have first hand experience of what the mountains can be like, both beautiful and bad  so take a read below and soak up some of the tips and advice. For most of you it’s utter common sense but if you’re new to skiing or snowboarding then some of the tips may really help.

As for drinking and socialising, well we’re certainly no party poopers here so we fully  get that they’re a massive part of any ski and snowboarding trips, but as the advice link below says – THINK HARD and most importantly keep warm at all times and know you’re limits.

For more information visit www.thinkhard.co.uk

Emergency Numbers

Wasteland Ski Safety Advice:

Après Ski:

• Dress appropriately and be warm
• Drink responsibly and know your limits
• Do not walk around the resort on your own
• Pair up with a ‘buddy’ for the week and look after each other, ie. Always know where the other person is at all times
• Always inform a member of Wasteland Ski staff immediately in the event of a missing person

Piste:

• Never ski alone
• Dress appropriately and be warm
• Always follow guidelines given by the resort staff and information signs
• Be aware of avalanche risk and potential
• Understand the snowpack and never venture off piste unless you know what you’re doing and are carry probe, shovel and transceiver
• Never attempt anything you are unsure of
• Carry a piste map with you at all times
• Call the Sécurité des Pistes for help if you feel unsafe (number on piste map)
• Follow the Piste code of etiquette

Minor Injuries

The injuries that can occur on the slopes vary greatly, but over 50% are minor injuries, such as bruising and muscle strains, joint strains and minor ligament strains.

If you or someone you know sustains one of these injuries, the most helpful thing you can remember is “R.I.C.E”.

Rest– This is important for 2 reasons. Firstly, you need to stop skiing or boarding to protect the part of the body that has been injured from further damage. Secondly, resting allows your body to focus its energy on repairing the injury.

Ice– Icing the injured area with a cold pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a thin towel within 30 minutes will reduce swelling, which slows down healing. This will also provide short term pain relief.

Compression– Wrapping the injured body part in an elasticated bandage is another way to reduce swelling and in some cases is a way to relieve pain. Be careful not to wrap the bandage too tight.

Elevation– Elevating the injury for between 2 and 24 hours after the injury occurs reduces swelling. This is most effective when the injured body part is elevated above the level of the heart.

After following this routine for a day or two you should start to feel the injury starting to heal. Once the inflammation has decrease you should be able to resume skiing or snowboarding. If, after 48 hours, the injury is still painful and/or swollen, go to the emergency room or arrange a check-up with a doctor, depending on how severe your symptoms are.

What to do if there’s an accident on the mountain:

Although the chances of you or a friend getting injured are pretty slim, accidents can happen, and it’s always better to be prepared just in case. Plant a pair of crossed skis above site of the accident. This will warn people coming down the slope there has been an accident and protect the person who has been injured.

1. If there is more then one of you tending to the victim, one person should stay with them, while the other person calls the rescue service. The victim should never be left alone.
2. Keep the victim warm.
3. Remove their skis or snowboard but do NOT remove their boots.
4. Do not move them if there is any chance of a spinal of neck injury.
5. If there is any obvious bleeding this should be stemmed by applying pressure to the wound and elevating if this is possible.
6. If the victim is unconscious they should be placed in the recovery position (on their side) and the airways should be checked for obstructions such as snow or vomit.
7. If you are unable to detect breathing or a pulse cardio-pulmonary resuscitation will be necessary.

Altitude Sickness

In general, altitude should only be a problem for people who are planning to ski at over 3000 meters (10,000 feet) for an extended period. Problems occur because the body in not used to working on the decreased levels of oxygen in the air at this altitude. The body is able to adjust to this change fairly quickly, but it can take several days to completely acclimatize.

During your first couple of days at high altitude you may experience headaches and feel tired after a very small amount of exercise. If you experience these symptoms rest to give you body time to acclimatize and wait a few days before heading up to the highest point in resort. Some people who stay at these altitudes or ascend the mountain too rapidly may experience Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

Symptoms of AMS include headaches, dizziness, an upset stomach and trouble sleeping. If you or someone you are with experiences these symptoms they must stop ascending and if necessary travel back down to a lower altitude until they subside completely

More severe symptoms include confusion, coughing, finding it hard to breathe even while at rest and being unable to walk in a straight line.  On displaying any of these symptoms an individual must descend to a lower altitude immediately and contact a doctor.

CAN I SKI IF…

I have Asthma?

The cold, dry winter weather of the mountains can aggravate asthma, but people with well controlled asthma should be able to ski safely. If you suffer from asthma, you should use your inhaler before going out and keep it with you at all times. It is advisable to discuss the trip with your doctor in advance.

Tips:

• Before your trip, check you are prepared for the physical requirements of skiing by doing some exercise ‘training’
• Take a scarf or ski mask to cover your mouth
• If you arrange lessons, make sure you inform your instructor that you have asthma.

I’m Pregnant?

The main thing to remember is that while on the slopes, even if you are an expert skier or boarder, you have no control over someone hitting you. You should also bear in mind that the snow and ice in the resort and on the slopes increases the chances of you slipping and falling over.

Being pregnant can also lower your energy levels so some people choose to try out cross-country skiing while pregnant, especially as you are less likely to fall over. As with all exercise you must ensure you drink lots of water to remain well hydrated. Those who have previously miscarried are advised not to ski.

I have Epilepsy?

If you’re epilepsy causes you to have frequent fits then skiing and snowboarding are not advisable. Well controlled epileptics may ski, but you should consult with your doctor first. If you do decide to ski or snowboard:

• Make sure you go with at least one other person, in case you have a seizure in a remote area and need someone to go for help
• Do not go out in extreme conditions
• Consider using a safety strap and hook when riding a ski lift.

I’m Diabetic?

If you are diabetic you can hit the slopes, but be sure to take the necessary precautions.

• Skiing and snowboarding are both very high energy sports, so you need to increase your calorie intake accordingly.
• Make sure you have glucose or sweets with you at all times, particularly when you are on the slopes.
• Always ski with others and make sure at least one person in your group knows that you are diabetic and what to do if something should happen to you while on the slopes.
• Ensure your feet are in good condition and well looked after following a day in ski or snowboard boots.
• A Medicalert bracelet can be a lifesaving. If you don’t have one already, they are highly recommended.