The expert warned about the dangers of winter entertainment and named security measures.

Outdoor activities are becoming more popular in winter, from ice skating and skiing to family walks and games in the snow. But at the same time, the risk of injury increases. Elena Kosheleva, Director of Sberbank Insurance projects, told Izvestia on January 9 about how to make winter leisure safe.

According to the company, Russians most often choose cross-country skiing (22%), winter hiking (18%) and ice skating (12%). Sledging is used by 9% of the respondents, while tubing, downhill skiing, snowboarding and winter fishing received 7% each. However, activity is often accompanied by injuries: 61% of Russians have experienced them, and 13% have suffered quite serious injuries.

Kosheleva noted that in order to reduce risks, it is important to choose official and equipped places for recreation.

"Do not replace the ice rink with a frozen lake and do not make a high-speed descent on a snowmobile along a "wild" forest highway. Equally important is the right choice of clothes. Specialized equipment for downhill skiing, snowboarding, or winter hiking is best suited for outdoor games and sports. Modern jackets and overalls are lightweight, retain heat well, protect from wind and precipitation and at the same time provide the necessary ventilation, preventing overheating," the expert warned.

Skiing and snowboarding require special attention. Before going out on the track, you need a 10-20 minute warm-up, proper fasteners and route selection in accordance with the level of training. Beginners should not immediately go out on difficult slopes. Ice, fog and strong winds increase the risk of falls, so it is important to take weather conditions into account. On the slopes, it is recommended to keep a distance, control speed and stop only at the edge of the track.

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The specialist drew attention to the fact that sledding and tubing downhill remains one of the most traumatic types of winter recreation. She advised avoiding "wild" slopes, making sure that there are no trees, poles or exits on the road, and using tubing only on prepared trails and one person at a time. According to her, cheesecakes develop high speed, rotate and are practically not controlled, so they often cause serious injuries.

In addition, it is worth moving in the general direction of the skating rink, avoiding sudden maneuvers and active games in the crowd. Skates should be properly laced and fixed to the ankle, and the blades should be sharpened.

"Most winter injuries can be prevented if you take a responsible approach to recreation. However, even with strict compliance with all security measures, risks cannot be completely eliminated. In such a case, a pre-arranged insurance policy with an option to cover injuries during active recreation will be an excellent solution: it will provide compensation that can be spent on treatment and recovery or otherwise disposed of. This will protect the family budget from unforeseen expenses and will allow you not to be distracted from the main thing — the joy of New Year's holidays and communication with loved ones," Kosheleva concluded.

On December 23, Artyom Khisamov, Deputy Chief Physician for the medical unit of the A.S. Puchkov Ambulance and Emergency Medical Care station, spoke about first aid for injuries in winter. He clarified that in most cases, relatively simple injuries are recorded in winter — falls on ice, as well as injuries sustained while sledding or ice skating. In such situations, he said, it is necessary to fix the injured limb, not to pull or try to move it. It is allowed to give an anesthetic and seek medical help.

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