Skiing, like many other sports, carries a fairly high risk of injury. Before you go, make sure your travel insurance covers skiing. If it doesn’t, rescue from the slopes and then medical treatment could prove very painfully expensive.
Dr Trisha Macnair last medically reviewed this article in May 2010.
If someone is unconscious, check the basic ABC of life support.
Is their Airway clear ? – make sure their mouth is empty of snow and vomit.
Are they Breathing ? Put your cheek to their face to feel for breathing and watch their chest to see it rise and fall with each breath.
Do they have a Circulation ? Feel the neck for a pulse.
If they are not breathing and have no pulse, you'll need to start basic resuscitation. If they are breathing, turn the skier on their side in the recovery position.
Staunch any bleeding by carefully applying direct pressure to the wound (using an item of clothing such as a scarf to mop the blood). If the bleeding is coming from an arm or leg, elevate the limb if possible.
A ski pole makes a handy interim splint for leg, knee and ankle injuries. For arm injuries, use a scarf or jumper to immobilise the limb.
Don’t be tempted to give an injured person a nip of alcohol from a hip flask – this increases their risk of hypothermia and if they need surgery may cause problems during anaesthesia.
There are a number of things you can do to avoid injuries and accidents on the slopes:
If you're skiing in a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to free or reduced-cost medical treatment.
An EHIC is normally valid for three to five years, and covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip. It gives you access to state-provided medical treatment only, and you'll be treated on the same basis as an 'insured' person living in that country.
You can get more information about how to apply for an EHIC from the Department of Health.
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