Beacon Watch

boats, safety, sports

Ski

Rules for Skiing

Someone once said “rules are made to be broken,” however, some rules are definitely made to be followed! Anyone who gets behind the wheel of a car, for example, must follow the rules of the road in order to make driving safe and pleasant for everyone. Similarly, anyone who enjoys skiing in places with other skiers should learn a few basic rules of safety and courtesy in order to ensure that skiing is both safe and pleasant. (And it should go without saying that skiing is much more pleasant than commuting in the first place!) These rules may not be formally encoded in the way that driving laws are, however, they remain the same in almost all skiing locations. Here are a few of the most important rules to keep in mind.

  • Be aware of your own abilities, and stay in control. Don’t put yourself in situations where you are a danger to yourself or others.
  • Obey all posted signs! These will vary from place to place, however they are there for a reason, and ignoring them constitutes a blatant disregard for safety.
  • Avoid stopping on or otherwise obstructing the path of other skiers.
  • Anyone in front of you has the right of way. It is your responsibility to watch out for them, as they cannot see you.
  • If you are merging onto a trail, however, you must look uphill and yield to any oncoming skiers.
  • Do not ski under the influence of drugs or alcohol!
  • Have care when riding ski lifts. If you are uncertain of how to load your equipment, ask for help before “going for it.”
  • If you are involved in or witness an accident, do not leave until you are certain that everyone is okay. Contact the proper authorities if necessary.

For more information on ski safety, check out the Beacon Watch blog or visit our main page!

 

Four Reasons to Take Up a New Hobby that Could Turn into a New Passion

Many people begin playing traditional sports such as soccer, baseball, football, and basketball from a very young age.  Skiing, on the other hand, is a bit different.  Though there are certainly a fair number of children and young people who enjoy skiing (and who also enjoy the benefits that will be discussed below) the overall trend is that people tend to begin skiing a bit later in life.  Why do they do it?  Take a look at our top four reasons to take up skiing!

#1. Look Great

Skiing works nearly every muscle in the body in unique and challenging ways.  Because of this, it can help you lose weight, tone your form, and be the best you you can be!

#2. Feel Great

Of course, fitness is about much more than just looking great.  On top of looking great, skiing can help you feel better. The health benefits of skiing make it a great investment that can help keep you feeling fit for years!

#3: Find a New Passion

Skiing is far more than just a workout.  It’s also a blast!  The challenging yet rewarding process of developing your abilities, plus the thrill and excitement of hitting the slopes makes skiing one of the most popular cold-weather sports in the world.  

#4 Make New Friends

What’s the one thing that’s better than hitting the slopes on a bright, crisp morning?  Doing it with friends!  Skiing is a great way to make new friends and acquaintances who share the same passion.

Beacon Watch

As you begin your new hobby, it’s important to stress the importance of safety.  That’s why we encourage you to check out the Beacon Watch online store.  We offer a sophisticated line of sporting safety gear for enthusiasts of all experience levels.

Backcountry Skiing: Have A Solid Pre-Plan

For the experienced skier, backcountry skiing can provide some of the most fun and satisfying adventures of a lifetime; however, skiing “off the beaten path” is also inherently dangerous. Perhaps the best way to make your outings as safe as possible is to have a solid pre-plan that everyone in the group is aware of and that provides a course of action just in case any mishaps occur along the way. Here is a brief list of some of the things that should be taken into account as you plan your next expedition.

  • Most importantly you need to designate a “responsible person” or “RP.” Your RP is someone who is NOT going on the trip with the group but who is aware of where you are going, when you are leaving, and when you are expected to return. They should have not only your phone numbers but also any emergency numbers they need. If anything goes wrong, or your group doesn’t return by a preset time, this person is responsible for getting help.
  • Also, before your outing you need to check the weather, check any available avalanche bulletins, and talk with locals like the ski patrol about your trip.
  • Everyone in the group should have first aid training and avalanche safety training.
  • Your group should consider hiring a guide, especially if you are new to the area or unfamiliar with the backcountry.
  • Finally, you should seriously consider purchasing a GPS locating device like the SeaMe monitor from BeaconWatch.  This little monitor inconspicuously attaches to your clothing and allows others to easily locate you if you’re lost or injured. It’s great to have both for the sake of convenience and especially for the sake of safety.

Backcountry skiing can truly provide an experience on the slopes that is unlike any other. Just remember to be properly prepared for the unexpected  — having a great pre-plan and the affordable SeaMe monitor will help you to stay safe during all your fun adventures in the backcountry.  

Preparing for Cold Weather and the Ski Season

Skiing is one of the most popular cold weather sports in the world. When done responsibly, skiing can be very safe; however it does present a number of unique safety challenges. In fact, the cold weather that makes skiing possible is itself a potential hazard. Fortunately, there are a few easy steps that anyone can take in order to protect themselves.

The Clothes

First of all, it’s essential to dress correctly. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur more easily than many people realize, especially if one neglects to dress in a warm, waterproof set of clothing. Long lasting exposure to cold weather can also weaken the body’s defenses, making one more susceptible to illnesses such as the cold or the flu. Here is a simple guide to dressing for a skiing outing:

The bottom layer: The bottom layer of clothing should be relatively tight fitting, and should be made of a wicking material. Wicking material is designed to draw sweat and other moisture away from the body. Synthetic materials such as polyester, polyethylene, and microfiber-based fabrics generally do the best job at wicking moisture, however wool has fairly effective wicking properties as well. Cotton is the worst material to use as a bottom layer, as its tends to lose its insulative quality when wet or damp.

The middle layer: The middle layer can vary depending on weather conditions–on warmer days you may wish to use lighter jackets and sweaters, whereas on colder days you can add more clothing.

The outer layer: The outer layer must be waterproof. This means a shell coat and ski pants (if there is any piece of clothing you should invest in specifically, it would be ski pants. There’s no replacing the value they offer). The smartest way to invest in outer layer clothing is to buy clothes with no built in insulation, that way they can be used in all weather conditions.

The Forecast

It is incredibly important to be aware of any potentially dangerous weather situations that could arise, which is why it’s important to check the forecast before hitting the slopes.

Beacon-Watch

From cold-weather skiing to extreme water sports, Beacon Watch is committed to helping sports enthusiasts of all kinds enjoy safe and responsible activities. Check out our website for more info on ski safety, boating safety, and our innovative line of sporting safety products.

Stay Safe on the Slopes

The number one cause of injury on the slopes every year is pulled or strained muscles, and the number one cause of death when downhill skiing or snowboarding is head injury, usually caused by hitting a stationary object. Although injuries are common, deaths are fortunately rare, but it nevertheless is important as each new season arrives for everybody to reacquaint themselves with some of the basic safety issues of the slopes.

Pulled muscles and tendons, twisted ankles, and other more minor injuries are usually the result of a person being out of shape when ski season arrives. If you’re a skier or a snowboarder, it’s important to keep up a regular exercise regimen all year by either going to the gym or by participating in summer sports. When ski season arrives, it is recommended that everyone – even the most weathered veteran – take a ski safety refresher course from a certified instructor. If you’re a novice, you should especially be certain that you know how to stop, how to fall down, and how to get back up. Be aware of weather conditions and wear proper clothing, and know the general rules and etiquette of the slopes.

One of the most important safety rules is this: never ski alone. If an injury happens, and you are alone or separated from your group, you can risk further complications or even death. This is why the SeaMe monitor by BeaconWatch can really ensure your safety when you or your loved ones are skiing. If necessary, this GPS system will help locate anyone who is injured or lost. It is a great device to have, especially when you are skiing with children, just to add an extra level of safety to your outing.

Check out the BeaconWatch site, and ski without worry this season knowing that you and your loved ones can never get lost on the slopes with BeaconWatch’s 21st century technology.

Are you prepared with the right equipment to ski safe?  Here are four important recommendations that are sometimes overlooked:

Helmets

Wearing a helmet is one of the most important actions you can take in order to prevent injuries while skiing.  In recent years, a large amount of evidence has come out suggesting that, in the case of adult cyclists, helmets may actually be a larger risk than a benefit.  (This is due to a myriad of complicated causes, but mainly an increase in risky driving around the cyclists.  Unfortunately, some people in the skiing community have tried to use the same argument in regards to skiing: as this New York Times article argues, professional skiers may also view helmets as a reason to act more recklessly themselves, therefore leading to an increased rate of injury.  Of course, as this same article points out, helmets are still highly recommendable, especially for your casual, non-professional skier who has no incentive to take irrational risks.

Ski Clothing

In order to protect from dangers such as hypothermia and frostbite, it’s highly recommendable to wear several layers of warm clothing.  Regardless of what combination of clothes you choose to wear, however, it’s very important that your outfit include a set of insulated, waterproof ski clothing in order to keep you dry and warm.

Ski Goggles

Ski goggles are very important for a number of reasons.  By reducing glare and increasing contrast, they help reduce the risk of collisions–a major safety concern.  Additionally, they help protect the eyes from flying snow or debris, which pose both a direct danger to the eyes and the indirect danger of crashes/collisions.  Some skiers consider using simple sunglasses, however this is not recommendable as sunglasses are more likely to ice up, more likely to fall off, and could even shatter in the case of an accident causing a grave eye injury.

Emergency Locator Beacon

In the case of an emergency situation, locating any injured and/or missing parties is crucial.  That’s why it’s highly recommendable to invest in equipment such as the Beacon Watch SeaMe™ emergency locator device.  Smartphone compatible and affordably priced, the SeaMe™ offers sophisticated technology that’s ready when you need it.