Your view

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 602, 5 September 1995, Page 17 (Supplement)

Your view

Skid lid scepticism With reference to 'Skid lids for kids', August 95 Ruapehu Snow Bulletin, this article is purely about commercial interests, by Linda Netton from the Junction Ski Shop, ie more dollars. The day it becomes law, we stop skiing. There are more head related injuries from car accidents than ski related accidents on a percentage basis. From experience, children with these helmets hear less due to the lack of hearing and limited peripheral vision, which in turn probably causes more accidents than they prevent. If Linda Netton is going to make such ridiculous statements, then why doesn' t she go the whole way and suggest giant rubber suits as well, which would mean greater rental gear ie more dollars in her pocket, to reduce injuries. Let's keep this on a realistic level and realise that children in their developing years gave thinner skulls, hence greater risk. If Linda is more concerned about adult safety, why doesn' t she see about getting all supposed sports banned, or will that reduce her income? Making it law with the help from ACC is purely a money saving campaign for the government. I'll bet Linda Netton doesn't ski with a helmet, or doesn't ski at all. The weather is usually blowing a gale at Turoa, so compulsory helmets would be the straw that broke the camel's back, ie final excuse to quit skiing and spend my money on more enjoyable pursuits, with less hassles. Most ACC related injuries from skiing are leg related and arms, so please don' t report on pathetic stories as this if you wish to remain as a skiing industry or (you will be) known as a carrot town only.

Bruce and Margaret Haines, Titirangi Editor's note: I can't speak for Linda or ACC, but having suffered a lifethreatening head injury on Ruapehu, I believe the issue is worthy of discussion through our paper. I wear a helmet for sports such as biking and windsurfing and Ruapehu rocks are just as hard as the road or a sailboard, and I' m sure I ski faster than I can peddle (or paddle on my board !) so is it not logical to wear one skiing? Perhaps rather than making it law, if people such as you changed their attitudes, more people would feel comfortable wearing helmets. As to the negative safety aspects, why not make those concerns known to helmet suppliers and they could look at modifications to suit?