Subject: “Ski Equipment Designed With Little Safety Regard” – WINTERSPORT BUSINESS (1/99 page 38) Answer: In the letter the author decries the dearth of science in ski equipment design and the lack of industry funding for safety related research. The author also derides the quality of the epidemiological research that has been conducted and claims … read more »
Are we in danger of confusing even ourselves in the jargon we use, as charged in a SAM editorial, and is a name change all that it takes to delete release from the capabilities of a ski binding?
Subject: “Playing The Game” – SKI AREA MANAGEMENT (1/99 page 46) Answer: Over the years I have been modestly successful in restraining my enthusiasm for Seth Masia’s editorials. But in “Playing the Game” I found his arguments both witty and right on the money. However, as I flipped the page, it almost seemed as if … read more »
Can this or any ski binding truly protect the knee?
Subject: “Salomon Says ‘Oversize’ Binding Will Protect Knees” – WINTERSPORT BUSINESS (1/99 page 22) Answer: In our opinion the claims attributed to the Salomon representative regarding protection of the knee are not supported by the scientific literature. They appear to be similar to claims made by Salomon three years ago which were roundly criticized at … read more »
Is skiing becoming more dangerous as claimed by The Wallstreet Journal?
Subject: “Down A Slippery Slope” The Wallstreet Journal – (1/8/99) Answer: My colleague Dr. Jasper Shealy and I were interviewed by the WSJ authors and their staff for this article. While we take some credit for redirecting their efforts, the resulting article is incorrect and incomplete. The interviewers made it very plain that they were … read more »
Who should get the credit for advances in skier safety?
Subject: “The 25 Most Influential People” Skiing Magazine January 1999 Edition – (1/99 pg 97) Answer: More than any other person the late Al Greenberg, former Editor-in-Chief of SKIING Magazine, set the agenda during the period of greatest improvement in skier safety. By encouraging research and the standards development process, Al made intelligent debate possible. … read more »
Is skiing becoming more dangerous as claimed by the LA Times?
Subject: “Group Offers Reward to Counter Skiers’ Deadly Road Rage” L.A. Times – (2/14/99) Answer: This article, republished in dozens of newspapers around the country, follows in the footsteps of the WSJ piece of 1/8/99 (FAQ #1). Although the WSJ blamed the ski areas for an increase in injuries and the Times blames out-of-control skiers … read more »
Is there anything an alpine skier can do to help reduce the risk of sustaining a serious knee sprain?
Subject: Knee-Friendly Advice Answer: Yes, by studying the pamphlet: “Tips for Knee-Friendly Skiing” and by viewing the companion ACL Awareness video. The pamphlet is available free to the skiing public at ski shops and ski areas in a program funded by the major Alpine equipment suppliers. Pamphlets are also distributed by ski clubs and by … read more »
How can a skier, or someone taking up the sport for the first time, pick a good ski shop?
Subject: How to Pick a Good Ski Shop Answer: The problem isn’t just a matter of finding a shop which offers price and selection but being able to identify shops which offer price, selection, and service. And not just where you live, but where you ski on weekends and vacations. Of the three, service, in … read more »
Used Equipment: How old is too old? When should I buy new bindings? What do I do with my old ones?
Subject: Used Equipment Answer: No matter how recently you bought your last pair of bindings, your entire release system–boot, binding, and ski–should have a complete in-shop inspection before the start of each season and after every 15 to 30 days of use. This practice is recommended by all equipment suppliers. The advice that follows is … read more »
How can I help to reduce the risk of injury while skiing?
Subject: Eight Steps to Safer Skiing Answer: Please review our EIGHT STEPS TO SAFER SKIING. 1) Equipment Selection and Maintenance – At the beginning of each season visit a well-equipped ski shop that maintains a staff qualified to properly service your bindings, tune your skis, and evaluate your ski boot’s fit and function. This website, … read more »
There are many ways in which knee injuries can occur in skiing, we concentrate on the two most common scenarios, the Phantom Foot and the Boot induced.
- Avoid high risk behavior
- Routinely correct poor skiing technique
- Recognize and Respond quickly and effectively to potentially dangerous situations
- Don't jump unless you know where and how to land
- How often do I have to inspect my Calibrater Arm (Torque Wrench)?
- Routine Visual Inspection:
Visually Check the Calibrater Arm each day before use. If deficiencies are noted, consult the Maintenance and Repair section of the Calibrater Manual. Most routine maintenance and component replacement operations can be performed in shop. When returning the Arm to the factory for annual calibration inspection or repair, other Calibrater components do not need to be returned to the factory except as required.
Calibration Check: At the beginning, and at least once during the season, the calibration of the ARM should be verified using a dead weight. See Appendix II of the Calibrater Manual. Any weight used should be checked on a state or federally certified scale. Calibration checks should also be made whenever the accuracy of the Calibrater is called into question.