title: Use of protective equipment by in-line skaters: an observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the extent of protective equipment use (that is, helmets, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads) in a representative sample of in-line skaters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen municipalities throughout the province of British Columbia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A province-wide observational survey was conducted in the summer of 1999. Skaters were observed at four types of sites (commuter, recreational, neighbourhood, general community) in 15 municipalities to provide a representative sample of in-line skaters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The observed use of protective equipment by the 877 in-line skaters was relatively low: wrist guards 25%, helmets 13%, elbow pads 14%, and knee pads 10%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the availability of relatively inexpensive protective equipment, few in-line skaters take advantage of the opportunity to protect themselves from injury. Policies and programs that serve to increase the use of protective equipment by in-line skaters are needed to help reduce the frequency of skating related injuries.
authors: Traffic Injury Research Foundation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. dougb@trafficinjuryresearch.com
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Beirness
authors: R D
authors: RD
authors: Foss
authors: K J
authors: KJ
authors: Desmond
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001955:British Columbia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012861:Skating / Q000293:injuries*