Skating is a terrific sport to have fun and get some exercise simultaneously. Regardless of whether you’re skating on quads or inline skates, indoors or out, safety is always a concern. Whether it’s because it’s awkward or because it’s “not hip,” skaters will sometimes find an excuse to forego wearing safety gear.
For both parents concerned about their children’s skating safety and adults concerned about skating injuries, this post offers valuable information. We’re here to offer you the best skating safety tips and techniques!
Common Injuries from Skating
Below, we’ll discuss some of the most prevalent skating-related injuries and issues.
- Bruises or Contusions: Skaters’ knees and elbows are the most common areas for bruises.
- Head Injury: This is a fall-related injury. If you are hit with force, this injury may become life-threatening. There is a risk of losing 1-2 teeth if you fall forward, but this can happen even if you fall backward.
- Wrist Injury: When skaters lose their balance and fall, they often extend their hands in an attempt to stop or control the fall. This is how they can get wrist injuries or sprains.
- Dragging of Knee, Elbow, and Hand: When a skater falls on his or her front while skating, he or she will land on their knees and hands. This causes the knee and hand to hold the floor, forcing the leg to drag forward and cause significant agony.
- Blisters: Skaters frequently experience blisters. Blisters are caused by falls or slips. This can also happen due to improperly fitting skates. If you have particularly tight skates, you will be more prone to this type of injury than most people.
Safety Gear for Skating
Everyone who skates should wear protective gear at all times. The following items are included in safety gear:
Helmet
Every skater or skateboarder must wear a helmet that is specifically intended for skating or skateboarding. These are designed to come lower down in the back, closer to the skull base, to provide better safety in case of a backward fall.
Make certain that your helmet is properly fitted. A helmet should be worn on top of the head in a flat position, and it should not wobble forward, backward, or side to side while being worn. Never forget to buckle your helmet straps, but don’t tighten them too much.
Wrist Guards, Elbow Pads, and Knee Pads
Everyone, but especially newcomers, should protect their hands and knees with wrist guards, knee padding, and elbow pads, among other things. These help to prevent injuries and also act as a shock absorber in the event of a fall. Although these can get a little cumbersome at times, you’ll gain some sense of peace, and your joints will benefit from the additional protection provided by this supplementary protective gear.
Mouthguard
Consider a mouthguard. In a crash or fall, a mouthguard will help safeguard your teeth and mouth.
Skates
Skating shoes should be comfortable and provide adequate ankle support. Check the boot’s material to see if the skates provide the support you require before purchasing them. If you can bend or squeeze it, the material is not sufficiently sturdy. Always make sure that your skates are properly buckled.
Safety Tips for Skating
Aside from ensuring that you are using all of the necessary protective gear, there are a few more things you can take to ensure your own safety when skating. The most important of them are listed below.
- Before attempting to skate on your own, consider taking skating lessons from a qualified instructor or seasoned skater.
- If a beginner skater begins to tumble, they can put others in danger by grasping onto them. As a rookie, avoid skating too near to other people. You don’t want to be responsible for inflicting suffering on someone else.
- Beginners, or first-timers, should learn in unobstructed areas. Pavement with grass beside, tennis courts, or an empty parking lot is perfect. The grass is excellent since it is soft while learning to skate. Please avoid heavily used parks and trails initially. This will help you to practice safe maneuvering.
- A neighborhood indoor or outdoor skating rink is a good option once your skills have improved a bit. It’s a great place to practice skating because it’s clean, and the traffic is regulated so that you can still master the basics. When you’ve grasped the basics of skating in a skating rink, you can move on to a skate park or a designated trail.
- Always wait until you’re an expert skater before trying to dominate a ramp or bowl.
- Even if you’ve perfected skating, over-speeding can be quite dangerous. As a result, you may tumble to the ground or become a victim of a catastrophe if you cannot maintain this pace. You should never force yourself beyond your capabilities, master the basics of skating thoroughly, and wait at least a month before attempting any advanced maneuvers.
- Without falling, you won’t be able to master the skill of skating. It’s important to avoid injury by learning proper fall techniques. If you begin to lose your footing, quickly crouch down so that you’ll only fall a few centimeters. This will help you in regaining your footing without collapsing or falling closer to the ground, so reducing the impact of the fall. If you’re skating in a crowded area like a skating rink, you should try to land in a way that minimizes the force of the collision, with your hands firmly placed on the ground.
- Remember to keep an eye out for obstacles and other skaters. Any young children or anyone who has fallen should be watched closely.
- Don’t skate at nighttime or in the dark. It is really difficult to spot other skaters or other persons in this type of situation. Wear luminous apparel if you plan on skating at night or in the dark.
- If you’re going to use headphones while skating, you should only do so in locations that are completely free of obstacles or under control. If you are listening to music through earbuds or headphones, you will not be able to hear any cars or pedestrians.
- If you get harmed or are in an unsafe situation while skating, make sure you have a few items on your hands, such as your ID, a cellphone, and a whistle to call for help.
- Pick who you will skate with. With a friend, skating can be both safer and more enjoyable than skating alone. Having a second pair of eyes and ears is always beneficial, as is knowing that you have a trustworthy companion at your side in case of an emergency.
- While skating on bike paths, trails, and sidewalks, keep to the right. Shout out “On your left!” when passing another person to let them notice you’re approaching.
- Rain or snow can make skating dangerously since slippery surfaces make it more likely that you’ll be hurt.
- Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated on hot days. Use an SPF of 30 or more when skating outside.
- Avoid cracks, elevated surfaces, moist or sandy regions, and fallen branches or seeds by keeping your eyes peeled. When you see a hazard, let the skaters behind you know about it.
- Don’t wear heavy or constricting clothing. You’ll be easier to spot if you’re wearing bright colors.
- Respect traffic laws and only cross at designated intersections.
- When you’re out skating, remember to be considerate, friendly, supportive, and civic-minded. This will protect you from the wrath of another skater on a bike path. In addition, a skating ban is less likely to be implemented in your community.
Conclusion
Skating is an enjoyable experience in which people commonly hit the ground, resulting in numerous injuries, most of which are not life-threatening. A complete safety gear set is recommended to prevent these injuries, and there are many more safety measures that we have listed above. We hope this article has helped you ensure safety for yourself and your skater friends and family members.