Testing the risk compensation hypothesis for safety helmets in alpine skiing and snowboarding.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of helmet use by alpine skiers and snowboarders was estimated and self-reports on risk taking were assessed to test for potential risk compensation when using helmets in these sports.


METHODS
Skiers and snowboarders were observed and interviewed at 34 resorts in the western United States and Canada.


METHODS
Respondents were 1779 adult skiers and snowboarders in the 2003 ski season.


METHODS
Observations of helmet use and questions about perceived speed and degree of challenge when not wearing a helmet (helmet wearers) or in previous ski seasons (non-helmet wearers).


RESULTS
Helmet wearers reported that they skied/snowboarded at slower speeds (OR = 0.64, p<0.05) and challenged themselves less (OR = 0.76, p<0.05) than non-helmet wearers. Adoption of safety helmets in 2003 (23%) continued to increase over 2002 (OR = 0.46, p<0.05) and 2001 (OR = 0.84, p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
No evidence of risk compensation among helmet wearers was found. Decisions to wear helmets may be part of a risk reduction orientation. Helmet use continues to trend upwards but adoption may be slowing.
Scott
Michael D
MD
California State University, Communication Arts and Sciences, Chico, California, USA.
Buller
David B
DB
Andersen
Peter A
PA
Walkosz
Barbara J
BJ
Voeks
Jennifer H
JH
Dignan
Mark B
MB
Cutter
Gary R
GR
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002170:Canada; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012449:Safety; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries*; D014481:United States