A Little Bit of Info on Skateboarding Safety and Protection
Skateboarding is a sport where you move fast on hard surfaces, so in addition to all the fun, there’s danger too. It can result in all kinds of injuries, from small cuts and bruises to serious brain damage. Even injuries that heal quickly can cause pain and worry, take time and money, and may lead to disabilities unless you’re properly equipped and protected. The most important and best protective gear should fit you well and stay in place while you skate.
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Important Advice and Safety Gear for Skating
1.Wear a High-grade Helmet to Protect Your Head
Always wear a helmet that’s in the right fit and comfort to keep your head from getting hurt. This is true no matter how old you are, how skilled you are, or where you skateboard. Get a good multi-sport or bicycle helmet. It should meet or exceed safety standards, and you may need to try on a few different sizes and styles before you find one that fits your head well and keeps it safe. These things should be true of a helmet that fits well:
- Rests low on your forehead.
- Has side straps that go around each ear in a “V” shape.
- Has a buckle that closes tightly (only two fingers should fit between the strap and your chin).
- Has pads on the inside that you can add or take away to make the helmet fit just right.
- Doesn’t move when you shake your head in any direction.
- Doesn’t stop you from moving, seeing, or hearing.
2.Wear the Right Accessories
Why do skaters wear wrist guards?When a person falls forwards, their natural reaction is to put their hands out in front of them to stop the fall. A padded skateboard wrist guard is meant to keep a person from hurting their wrist, palm, or arm when they fall. Wrist guards protect the wrist and make it less likely that you will break a bone even if you fall. Don’t worry, they don’t restrict your hand and finger movement as they have a flexible design.
Knee and elbow pads make cuts and scrape less painful and stop gravel burns. In short, knee pads protect the kneecaps and make kneeling more comfortable by reducing the impact felt by the knees. Skateboarders should always wear knee pads because they can help keep them from getting hurt badly.
Knee, elbow, and wrist guards for skating can protect against scrapes and bruises, but they can also help protect joints and bones from breaking. It’s advisable to wear shoes that won’t let you slip too, and you might want to put on some goggles to keep dirt out of your eyes.
3.Be Careful Where You Skate
Be sure to only skateboard on smooth pavement that is away from traffic, preferably in a skate park that is supervised. And don’t forget some basic rules, like:
- Don’t hold on to the side or back of a moving vehicle while “skitching” on a skateboard. If the car suddenly slows down, stops, or turns, you could fall or be thrown into traffic.
- Never ride a skateboard in wet weather.
- Avoid skateboarding in walkways where people walk or in areas where there’s little to no light.
- Don’t take chances by skating faster than your experience lets you, or faster than is safe for the conditions or the speed of other skateboarders. If you want to try tricks and jumps, you should only do them in a controlled setting, like a skate park, where there are others watching. This way you can also get easier help in case you get injured.
4.Use a Quality Skateboard
Skateboards are made up of three parts: the deck which is the board itself, the trucks which are the parts that hold the wheels, and the wheels. Beginners should start with shorter boards because they are simpler to manoeuvre and control. Skateboards have different features for different kinds of riding, like slalom, downhill, freestyle, and speed.
Keep your skateboard and safety gear like specialised skateboard wrist guard and helmet in good shape and remember to check them before every ride, just like you would with a car or a motorcycle. Look for things that need to be fixed. These can include parts that are loose, broken, or cracked, edges that are sharp or jagged, a top that is slippery, wheels with nicks and cracks, and so on.
5.Maintain a Good Physical Shape
Staying in good shape will help you avoid skateboarding injuries. Stretch and do exercises to get in shape before and after skating. Do not wear headphones while skateboarding, or other hazardous items (yes, you can achieve the cool skater look while being safe) and never let more than one person ride a skateboard at a time. Be kind to other skateboarders, especially if they are younger or less skilled than you. Know what to do in an emergency and be ready to help others as well.
If you happen to fall and hurt yourself, stay calm. There’s nothing wrong with waiting a few seconds to figure out if you’re hurt. When you fall or hit your head, your body may respond by giving you a rush of adrenaline or sending you into shock, which can make it hard to think straight. Relax and wait for another skateboarder to arrive and assist you.
