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 »
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 »
If my bindings are releasing inadvertently, how much should I crank them up?
Subject: Separating Hardware from Software Problems Answer: STOP!! Put away the screwdriver and study the following: Most retention problems are not related to the release setting and many are not even caused by the equipment at all. Often release, retention, and even performance problems are Software–that is skier–NOT Hardware related. Talk the problem over with … 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 biennial 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.