Some 3600 ice-skaters require medical attention every year in Switzerland,with nearly nine out of ten injured people being men. The Swiss Council for Accident Prevention said most accidents involve people falling over, causing bruising, and cuts and lacerations,broken bones or concussion. Elbows, wrists, or heads and knees are the body parts at most risk. Every fifth injury is to the head,the council said on Thursday, adding that a helmet – be it a ski helmet, or bicycle helmet or special ice-skating helmet – would halve this figure. As a result,350 people a year could be spared injuries and their consequences. The council’s latest safety campaign therefore recommends the wearing of helmets, firm gloves and protective measures such as knee and wrist supports. It also told skaters to let depart of their partner immediately if they fall. In this video, and part of the campaign,skaters are urged to disregard casts "which can be really annoying" and wear a helmet:
Source: swissinfo.ch