Backcountry snowboarding: medical and safety aspects.
As backcountry snowboarding becomes increasingly popular, wilderness enthusiasts and medical providers should be aware of its medical and safety aspects. This overview highlights the history of snowboarding and snowboarding today. In addition to proper mountaineering gear and winter clothing, special equipment is needed including a backpack, boots, a snowboard, and a method of ascent such as snowshoes. Medical studies on resort snowboarding have been reviewed and related to the wilderness setting for this study. Special limitations pertaining to snowboards are also discussed. For safety, one should seek instruction, practice, and experience in all aspects of backcountry travel including weather reading, route finding, enviromental hazards, cold injury treatment, and construction of emergency bivouacs. Backcountry snowboarders should be experts or at least advanced intermediates and should be proficient at climbing, snowshoeing, or free-heel skiing for ascent. One should understand avalanche terrain and glacier travel and he prepared for rescue. Snowboarders should also take limitations of snowboards into consideration when riding in the backcountry.
Van Tilburg
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Health Clinics of Utah, Department of Health, Salt Lake City 84111, USA.
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000293:injuries; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries*; D013178:Sports Medicine