Ski helmets should be compulsory in France

To the Editor,

I have encouraged several friends over the years to wear ski helmets.

Prior to wearing a ski helmet, I wore helmets for motorcycling and mountain biking. One day, I fell off-piste and my head hit the snow centimetres from a rock. 

I subsequently bought a ski helmet and have since smashed two of them, admittedly doing tricks on my snowboard. I also wear spine protection.

I have heard many reasons not to wear a helmet, such as people complaining they cannot hear properly, it would mess up their hair, or that they simply like the freedom.

My encouragement has worked with everyone I know, but from other incidents I have seen I believe they should be mandatory.

Advances in design mean certain injuries are prevented: look for helmets with multi-directional impact protection systems (MIPS). In cycling, helmets now record the g-force of an impact, which helps medical crew assessments.

Helmets are not an inconvenience; they are important for safety.

N.B.D., by email

To the Editor,

I think that wearing a ski helmet should remain a matter of choice. 

Helmets can certainly reduce blunt force injury at lower speeds, hence benefit for learners or kids, but do little to protect against deceleration or rotational brain injuries at higher speeds. 

Of greater concern are the combined issues of excess alcohol, with or without drug use, along with an increase in reckless skiing, fuelled in part by skiers in helmets, face masks, etc feeling invulnerable, and by an increase in shared images of reckless ski behaviour.

I feel it is much more important to concentrate on accident prevention, where the risks are clearly related to alcohol/drugs/reckless behaviour, rather than targeting skiers who choose not to wear a helmet, and who will (presumably) have bought medical insurance along with their lift passes.

B.C., by email

Do you feel that skiing has become more dangerous in France? Share your experiences at letters@connexionfrance.com