Red Cross clarifies

How to stay safe on the slopes during your skiing vacation

The Red Cross reminds you of the correct behavior (symbolic image).

(Bild: Peter Maier / Austria)

The people of Vienna, Vorarlberg and Lower Austria are already on their semester break, with the other federal states soon to follow. That means: ski vacation! There were several injuries on Tyrol's ski slopes at the weekend. In view of the vacations, the Red Cross is reminding people to behave safely.

When many winter sports enthusiasts are on the slopes at the same time, the risk of accidents naturally increases. "The most common injuries include injuries to the extremities, primarily the legs. Reasons for this include a lack of routine, excessive speed and overestimating one's own abilities," explains Red Cross chief physician Wolfgang Schreiber. 

To prevent accidents on the slopes, it is important to train the body before the skiing vacation, check the equipment and wear a helmet. Before you go skiing, the motto is to stretch and warm up. And: alcohol is taboo!

The risk of accidents is not only high when skiing and snowboarding, but also when tobogganing. Accidents can result in head injuries in particular.

Wolfgang Schreiber

Tips on what to do in the event of an accident
And what if an accident happens anyway? Then the following points apply:

• Stop and offer help.
• If the person cannot continue driving: Secure the scene of the accident.
• Ask people driving past for help.
• Check whether the injured person is conscious by speaking loudly and shaking them gently.

• If the person does not react: Remove ski helmet and start resuscitation immediately.
• Call 144 or 140 (mountain rescue).
• Cover the person to prevent cooling.
• If there is a collision, be sure to exchange the data. Hit and run is a punishable offense!