Should ski helmets be compulsory?

news.bbc. ^

[JoeProBono]

The death of Natasha Richardson has sparked a debate about whether it should be mandatory for skiers and snowboarders to wear helmets. There's been a sharp rise in the number of people wearing helmets after several high-profile ski accidents this winter and some compulsion has already come in. However, the medical evidence is not conclusive and it's not thought any widespread compulsion is imminent in the Alps.

[Carling]

I do think that ski resorts should make helmets mandatory, however. I've thought that for a long time, but most resorts I've associated with seem to be willing to take the small risk of head trauma over alienating potential customers. If I owned a resort, I may hold the same view the resorts do now, however.

[WayneS]

Some children who have bad cases of epilepsy or other disorders which causes seizures wear helmets to prevent injury when (not if) they fall down due to a particularly violent seizure.

[joethedrummer]

What’s next? Mandatory helmets in our HOMES???

-Brought on by the next celebrity to fall down their own stairs and suffer a fatal injury...

[Carling]

Don’t take offense. If I choose to view people who won’t give themselves some basic protection morons, that’s my view alone. I’m not for any governmental interference, and I hold the same view for motorcycles and bicycles.

[HungarianGypsy]

Okay. That makes more sense. It’s just in this overly safe society, you never know.

[Dixie Yooper]

I'm starting to think that helmets should be mandatory while reading posts on FR...Just in case you suddenly find yourself banging your head against the surface of your desk after reading a Nancy Pelosi quote.

[silverleaf]

no no no and NO

[batter]

Hmmm. I know there is some kind of condition/syndrome that affects equilibrium, maybe he was a sufferer...or he lost his skateboard on the way home.

[SkyDancer]

NO! Ban Snow!!!!!!!

[Eagle Eye]

I have to conclude that anyone who alpine skis without a helmet is a reckless moron.

Over the last 60 years or so, how many Alpine skiers have not died due to head injuries?

Seems to me that the numbers would indicate that it is a relatively safe sport that has been enjoyed by millions of "reckless morons".

[dead]

[WayneS]

Well, I’d be happy to take a side-by-side IQ test with you the next time you’re in Virginia!

;^)

[jonrick46]

Soon I’ll have to wear a special cushion on my rear end. That will protect myself when I am not having enough fun and have to stand up and kick myself in the rear.

[MeanWestTexan]

No.

People need to be responsible for themsleves.

[Osage Orange]

All the time?

[Osage Orange]

LOL!!

Is there a bigger geek, than that dude that served in Vietnam....Jon Cary?

[Osage Orange]

Yeah....

Reckless morons unite!!

[Fiji Hill]

Finnish ski troops fighting Nazis at Rovaniemi, Lapland, 1944

[MarkeyD]

Yep, I’m even wearing it right now ;)

[MarkeyD]

I wear one because I suck at skiing.