Negotiating

For some, winter means cozying up to a fireplace and sipping hot chocolate — for others, it means a whole new world of outdoor fun.

Hockey, ice skating, sledding, skiing, snowboarding and other cold-weather activities are a great way to get some fresh air and exercise during those long, snowy months. But cold temperatures and slippery surfaces combined with vigorous activity provide a lot of potential for injuries, according to the Ameri-can Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

“Most winter activities are very high speed in nature, which can predispose someone to an increased risk of injury,” said Dr. Michael Molter, rehabilitation physician at Blair Ortho-pedic Associates and Sports Medicine, Altoona. “From a cardiovascular aspect, you have decreased blood flow which makes the heart work harder. If you’re not physically prepared for that, it can lead to heart attacks. From a bone and joint aspect, you have to spend more time stretching and warming up — before and after the activity.”

Wearing the right clothing and protective equipment goes a long way in ensuring warmth and safety, said Bryan Caporuscio, general manager at Spokes-N-Skis, Altoona.

“There’s good, better and best in terms of winter jackets and pants,” Caporuscio, 35, of Altoona said. “Higher-end garments do a lot better in protecting people from hypothermia. Women tend to lean more toward the insulated materials because they tend to get colder than men. They’d rather be warm than have the versatility of a shell jacket, which is water- and wind-proof, but is not designed to cut the elements.”

An avid ski racer, Caporuscio has sustained his share of scrapes and bruises through the years. Wearing a helmet is critical in preventing injuries, he said.

“I’ve had a few wrecks snowboarding and skiing,” he said. “I was glad I had a helmet on — otherwise, I could’ve easily gotten a concussion. Sometimes we rely solely on instincts, and that sometimes comes up and bites you. It’s the same as being out on the road — awareness and alertness are key.”

Skiing and snowboarding are no more dangerous than other high-energy participation sports, and less so than some common activities. However, they are more challenging and require skills that are learned only through practice and time, according to John Boburchuk, ski patrol director at Blue Knob All Seasons Resort, Claysburg. The sports involve inherent risks, but to some degree, it is the thrill that allures most skiers and riders to pursue them.

“Statistically, there are more individuals getting injured playing more traditional sports such as football than skiing or snowboarding,” Boburchuk, 35, of Windber said. “With skiing, it’s usually knee injuries; with snowboarding, we see a lot of wrist injuries. But both can prevented. When you ski, it’s important to have real good bindings (which attach boots to skis) that are adjusted to your skill and weight level. When snowboarding, it’s important to where gloves with wrist protectors — these prevent the wrists from bending back too far.”

According to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), during the past 10 years, about 37.1 people have died skiing/snowboarding per year. During the 2006/07 season, 22 fatalities occurred out of the 55.1 million skiers/snowboarder days reported for the season. Eighteen of the fatalities were skiers (15 male, three female) and two were snowboarders, both male. In two of the cases, the equipment used was reported as unknown. The rate of fatality converts to .40 per million skier/snowboarder visits.

Serious injuries such as paralysis and head trauma occur at the rate of about 43.7 per year, the agency said. In the 2006/07 season, there were 40 serious injuries. Twenty-four of these injuries were skiers (20 males, 4 females) and 16 were snowboarders (14 males, 2 females). The rate of serious injury in 2006-07 was .73 per million skier/ snowboarder visits.

‘‘Much of it comes down to common sense and being smart,’’ Molter said. ‘‘You have to be aware of weather conditions and the possibility of the weather changing. You need to be in a general good state of health, and you have to adapt slowly — if you haven’t skied or snowboarded for a while, don’t go out for eight hours or attempt the toughest slope.”

Mirror Staff Writer Jimmy Mincin is at 946-7460.