SAFETY MESSAGE

Chairlift Safety Bars – All members of the Vernon Ski Club are advised to lower safety bars while riding chairlifts.  These safety bars are in place to stop people from falling off chairlifts in the event of a sudden stop or other situations.  Adults and older athletes can influence younger people by showing the example of using safety bars.
 
Cold weather – The cold weather is upon us and can sometimes take us by surprise.  Temperature is not the only factor that influences individual tolerance to weather; humidity, wind, skiing speed, lack of sun, type of activity, clothing and equipment all play a role. 
 
It is the parents’ responsibility to provide the required clothing and equipment such as boot heaters if necessary.  It is the athletes’ responsibility to use this clothing and equipment appropriately with parental and coach guidance. 
 
Facial frostbite is easier to detect than severely frozen feet that can’t be seen and sometimes not felt.  When boots and socks are dry, athletes can take their boots off when having a break inside and use boot heaters.  Most exposure to frozen feet can be minimized to a low level.  Since each person is different, athletes are empowered to make decisions based on their own safety and health.

Athletes are encouraged to go inside if they feel they should.  Buddy systems are created within the groups so that frostbite can be monitored and friends can ask if they have feelings in their toes for example.  When athletes take their boots off during their break they should check their foot skin colour.  Excessive red skin or white spots may indicate a lower tolerance, and that frostbite may not be far away. Purple or black indicates that significant frostbite has already occurred.

The coaches are educating the athletes on these matters and that peer pressure or concern of disappointing someone isn’t a good reason to stay outside.