Use of protective equipment by in-line skaters: an observational study.
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.
Beirness
D J
DJ
Traffic Injury Research Foundation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. dougb@trafficinjuryresearch.com
Foss
R D
RD
Desmond
K J
KJ
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*