Beacon Watch

boats, safety, sports

Skiing

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!

 

5 Facts About Helmets You Should Know

Ever since a 2006 study suggested that bicycling helmets may actually increase the dangers of bicycling by reducing peripheral vision and changing risk taking behavior without offering any substantial protection, there has been a heated debate within both the scientific field and the skiing community regarding the effectiveness of ski helmets.  Despite the anecdotal evidence and impassioned arguments of a small minority who will always prefer skiing without helmets, the overwhelming majority of research has supported the use of skiing helmets as beneficial.  Here are 5 important facts about helmets for promoting awareness and understanding:

  • Studies have shown that using a helmet reduces the risk of a serious head injury by 60%.
  • The National Center for Biotechnology Information conducted a study comparing peripheral vision and reaction times of those wearing helmets versus those not wearing helmets–and found no significant difference.
  • It is especially important for children to wear helmets, as helmets are most effective in low-speed crashes.  Indeed, even the infamous Bath University bycicle study that condemned the use of biking helmets still maintained that children should use helmets at all times.
  • Most ski ranges rent out helmets, so if you’re not ready to invest in owning one you can still stay safe on your occasional ski outings.

Check out the Beacon Watch website for more valuable information about ski safety!

Tree Wells: A Quick Guide to Being Prepared

One hidden danger that all skiers must be aware of is tree wells.  Tree wells are sinkholes formed by pockets of air and snow around the low hanging branches of a tree (usually an evergreen).  Tree wells can form anytime, but they are especially common in un-groomed areas (places where the snow is not packed down).  Because of this, many ski ranges are especially susceptible to tree wells immediately after fresh snow has fallen.  

Steering Clear

The best way to avoid tree wells is by staying as far away from trees as possible.  Trees may be visible, but tree wells are invisible from ground level, so all trees should be treated as potentially dangerous.  Staying on groomed skiing areas also greatly reduces your chances of coming across a tree well.

Always Ski With a Partner

Tree wells are yet another good reason to never ski alone.  Though many skiers believe that they would be capable of freeing themselves from such sinkholes, studies have shown the odds are against this.  Skiing always in groups of two greatly diminishes the risk posed by tree wells.  That being said, it’s important that partners always stay within each other’s sight because time is very precious in such emergencies.  Upon falling into a tree well, skiers can suffocate just as quickly as they would underwater.

Bring Safety Equipment

A few basic safety items can make a life-or-death difference in emergency situations.  A whistle, for example, can help your partner find you in time to save your life.  An emergency locator beacon can add an extra layer of security.  Skiers should also consider toting a small shovel in order to dig out of dangerous situations such a tree-well accident.  If your partner has fallen into a tree well, the most important thing you can do is dig a path to his/her airway.  

Learn More

The Beacon Watch website offers more information on skiing safety and safety equipment.

Skiing: How to Get Started

For a lucky few, skiing is a sport that they have enjoyed since early childhood.  For those lifelong skiers, many of the skiing basics come as second nature, and the practical and logistical elements of skiing seem like common sense.  For many, however, skiing is a sport that is picked up later in life.  Because of that, there are lots of adults who are still learning the basics.  This article will cover a few of those bases and offer some practical advice for people who wish to begin skiing.  A healthy and fulfilling hobby awaits you!

#1. Invest in Lessons

In many sports (baseball, basketball, football, etc.) our first experience of that sport tends to be with our families or with our childhood friends.  We “learn by doing,” and lessons are generally pursued later by those who are very serious about their game.  In skiing, this is not the case.  A few skiing lessons will do you an enormous amount of good in terms of teaching you how to truly enjoy the sport in a manner that is both fun and safe.

#2. Purchase clothes, rent gear.

Unless you are absolutely certain that you intend to ski frequently from the very start, it is highly recommendable that you rent rather than buy your gear.  Not only will this give you time to make sure that skiing is the sport for you, it will also give you time to learn about how equipment works so that you can be certain what you want to buy.  That being said, don’t skimp on buying a few basic clothing items!  That includes snow pants, a water-resistant underlayer, a mask, goggles, a hat, and gloves.  This will make your skiing experience infinitely more comfortable, plus it’s just a good idea to own most of those items anyway!

#3. Have fun!

Last but not least, be sure to enjoy every second of your new hobby!  If you are brand new to skiing, you may have to start out on a “bunny slope” which will seem very small–but with hard work and dedication you’ll get to move up to the larger hills in no time.

 

Check out the Beacon Watch blog for more information on skiing for people of all levels!

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.

Ski Safety in Cold Weather

Whenever a skier hits the slopes there is some basic knowledge– some universal rules and guidelines — that every winter athlete is expected to know: properly yield to other skiers, know how to use a chairlift, obey all the signs, know how to fall, stay in control of yourself based on your ability, and so on. Since skiing is a winter sport, it is especially incumbent upon a skier to respect the weather and follow some basic cold weather advice.  

First, you should be properly prepared for an outing in the cold. Eat, stretch and be hydrated before you begin to ski, and allow for breaks during your day so you can get a snack and a drink of water. The emphasis on food is important not only for your comfort, but primarily because the body needs calories to stay warm. Skiing is an intense activity that burns a lot of fuel, so don’t underestimate the amount of calories you may need to stay warm.

You should wear sunscreen to protect yourself from ultraviolet rays, and be properly dressed for cold weather. Avoid cotton clothing which tends to stay damp and wet, and choose fabrics that are water-resistant and that wick moisture away from the body. If children are in your group you should check on them regularly to make sure their clothing is dry and their noses are not too red.  One great way to keep track of their location is with a GPS system like the kind offered by BeaconWatch. Their SeaMe monitor can help you locate anyone on the slopes in no time.

Finally, you should be familiar with the park terrain. If the weather turns bad, you don’t want to be lost on the slopes or not know where a shelter is. Look at a trail map before skiing so you will have your bearings no matter where you are located. Following these common sense winter weather precautions will make your outing both safer and more enjoyable.