Hirslanden Home
    • DE
    • FR
    • EN
  • Open Sharing Menu
    • Share via Facebook
    • Share via Twitter
    • Share via WhatsApp
    • Share via email
    • Bookmark
    • Print
    • Close Sharing Menu
Open Menu
  • Winter sport
  • First aid on the slopes
  • Common injuries
  • Warming up exercises
  • Myths & facts
  • Winter sports - did you know...?
  • Emergency procedure & emergency ID card
  • Contact

In an emergency…

…every second counts.

In an emergency…

…a reliable diagnosis is crucial.

In an emergency…

…competent help is key.

In an emergency…

…fast decisions are needed.

In an emergency…

…every action must be precise.

In an emergency…

…state-of-the-art medical technology is used.

In an emergency…

…family members are also cared for.

In an emergency…

…an experienced team provides expert assistance.

In an emergency…

…specialists provide treatment.

In an emergency…

…a calm approach is required.

In an emergency…

…the focus is on the patient’s individual needs.

In an emergency…

…exceptional situations are overcome.

In an emergency…

…a great deal of warm-heartedness is needed.

In an emergency…

…people help people.

Winter sport

Winter sport is one of the most popular pastimes in the cold season. More than 2.5 million people venture onto the slopes in Switzerland every year. This results in around 46 000 accidents requiring medical treatment every year. Depending on the type of sport, the main areas affected are the knee, the head and the upper extremities – from the shoulder to the hand.

First aid
on the slopes

Immediate assistance is often required to prevent any subsequent damage.

Winter emergency first aid 1
Winter emergency first aid 2
Winter emergency first aid 3
Winter emergency first aid 4
Winter emergency first aid 5

Most common sporting injuries 

Sprains, bruises and strains are the most common winter sport injuries. People do not always get off lightly: every fifth sport injury involves a torn ligament. Most frequent causes: overconfidence, excessive speed or a lack of protective gear.

Common injuries

Pulled hamstring

Hamstrings can partially or fully tear if they are put under too much strain. The calf and the thigh are predominantly affected. A pulled hamstring causes stabbing pain, swelling and bruising.

 

First aid: Follow the RICE procedure

1
Common injuries

Torn ligament

If you twist a joint, this can tear or sever the surrounding ligaments. The tear causes sudden pain; the joint swells and starts to reddens. Even if the pain subsides quickly, there is still a residual feeling of instability.

 

First aid: cool and apply a pressure bandage

2
Common injuries

Bruising

Bruising is the most common soft tissue injury: Blunt force trauma results in bruising to the blood and lymphatic vessels, causing internal bleeding and localised inflammation. The shin bone in affected particularly often during winter sport.

 

First aid: Follow the RICE procedure

3
Common injuries

Fracture

Winter sport causes fractures and severe cartilage damage to the ankle, legs and arms. Falls are the main causes. A fracture causes pain and restricted mobility.

 

First aid: immobilise, cool, cover open fractures, do not try to set the joint

4
Common injuries

Strain

If a muscle fibre is overstretched, this may cause irritation. If it is strained, the pain gets progressively worse, particularly if the affected muscle is tight. Severe strains can cause bruising.

 

First aid: follow the RICE procedure first; then apply heat afterwards

5
Common injuries

Concussion

If the head is hit or knocked, the brain can knock against the skull wall. Typical symptoms are headaches, dizziness, nausea with vomiting, unconsciousness (up to 15 minutes) and short memory lapses.

 

First aid: Sit or lay the affected person down, check whether they are conscious and breathing, and tend to any other possible injuries (e.g. lacerations)

6
Ortho Emergency PECH Rule 2
Ortho Emergency PECH Rule 2

Warming up exercises 

Exercises for snowboarders

«As a dancer, I can't afford any injuries.»

 

Leonardo Tirabassi

Exercises for everyone

«Before riding, it’s crucial to warm up.»

 

Benjamin Friant

Exercises for skiers

«Prevention is everything. I will show you how I warm up before skiing.»

Mirjam Jäger

Winter sport – 
how to stay safe

It does not matter whether you use skis, a snowboard or a sled: winter sport is popular. But can you prepare for the season? Do the majority of accidents really take place in the afternoons? And do sport and saunas go together? Let's test your knowledge of winter sport!

Should you drink more fluid on the slopes?

Answer

Yes. You require more fluid when you are doing sport. Around 1 litre per hour is lost through sweat. Water, tea and diluted juices are perfect thirst quenchers. Experts recommend that you drink around three litres over the course of the day.

Can people with osteoarthritis play winter sport?

Answer

Yes. However, it depends on the type of sport: Snowboarding is not suitable due to the high risk of falling. You should only go ice-skating if you have done it before. Alpine skiing and cross-country skiing are possible, provided that you are currently pain-free.

Is a visit to the sauna recommended after winter sport?

Answer

Yes. The warmth relaxes your muscles, which supports regeneration. But, please be careful: Do not go into the sauna before doing sport. Fluid loss and the high temperature will reduce your stamina.

Can you physically prepare for winter sport?

Answer

Yes. Winter sport is strenuous; therefore, year-round endurance training is recommended as a form of preparation. Winter sport puts considerable strain on the legs and torso, so you should also strengthen your ankles and back by doing knee bends and press-ups, for example.

Do the majority of accidents really happen after lunch?

Answer

Yes. The risk of accidents increases between midday and 3.00 pm. It stems from eating incorrectly at lunchtime: fatty foods and alcohol reduce your stamina. Alcohol impairs your ability to assess the weather conditions and your own ability.

Do you need to warm up on the slopes?

Answer

Yes. By warming up correctly, you can reduce the risk of injury and falls as well as wear and tear on your joint cartilage. Mobilisation and stretching exercises are an integral part of warming up – before you take off down the mountain for the first time and after every long break.

Do men have a higher risk of suffering an accident while doing winter sport?

Answer

Yes. Men tend to drive overly fast on the slopes, which increases the danger of falling and colliding with others. The result: Men suffer shoulder and upper arm injuries far more often than women.

Is the greatest danger from other sportspeople?

Answer

No. Only 8 % of all accidents stem from collisions with other people or objects. 92 % are self-inflicted accidents, caused by a lack of control over the sporting equipment and slope conditions, or a lack of bodily protection.

Do you burn the most calories while snowboarding?

Answer

No. Snowboarders and skiers (downhill) burn approx. 400 kilocalories per hour . That is far more than hikers (240 kcal) and sledders (80 kcal), but far less than cross-country skiers (720 kcal) and cross-country skaters (800 kcal).

Reload

Winter sports:
did you know...?

A typical winter sport injury is «ski thumb». It occurs when thumb is overstretched during an accident, causing the tendons to tear.

Every fourth winter-sport-related injury suffered by men affects the shoulder area – in the case of women, it is only 14 %. The reason is that men often take more risks on the slopes.

Almost 80 % of all winter sport injuries are caused while skiing.

The knee is the most vulnerable joint in winter sport. 43 % of all injuries to women are knee-related. In the case of men, it is 26 %.

Every fifth skier travels at more than 80 km/h. At this speed, the impact is equivalent to that of a fall from the eighth story of a building.

Around 70 % of all winter sport accidents happen in the afternoon. 

There are approx. 300 000 sport accidents in Switzerland every year. The majority occur during winter sport, 46 000.

Around 80 % of all snowboarding injuries can be treated in an outpatient clinic.

Reload

The emergency procedure

hirslanden-emergency-admission
hirslanden-emergency-assessment
hirslanden-emergency-diagnostics
hirslanden-emergency-discharge

The Emergency ID card contains your medical information, which may be crucial in an emergency. Download it now!

Download Emergency ID card
PDF | 685 KB

What you should do in an emergency

Emergencies occur suddenly and unexpectedly. They come at inopportune moments and require timely, correct action. What can you do when something happens? Learn more about how to respond in emergency situations.

Where to find us

Hirslanden Klinik Hirslanden

Witellikerstrasse 40
8032 Zürich
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 44 387 35 35
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Birshof

Reinacherstrasse 28
4142 Münchenstein
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 61 335 25 75
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Stephanshorn

Brauerstrasse 95
9016 St.Gallen
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 71 282 74 74
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Aarau

Schänisweg
5001 Aarau
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 62 836 76 76
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Beau-Site

Schänzlihalde 11
3013 Bern
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 31 335 30 30
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Linde

Blumenrain 105
2501 Biel
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 32 366 41 12
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Permanence

Bümplizstrasse 83
3018 Bern
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 31 990 41 11
More information

Hirslanden Salem-Spital

Schänzlistrasse 39
3013 Bern
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 31 335 35 35
More information

Hirslanden Clinique des Grangettes

Chemin des Grangettes 7
1224 Chêne-Bougeries
365 days a year:
Mon. to Fri. 7 a.m. – 11.00 p.m.
Sat., Sun. & public holidays 8 a.m. – 11.00 p.m.
+41 022 305 07 77
More information

Hirslanden Clinique des Grangettes

Chemin des Grangettes 7
1224 Chêne-Bougeries
365 days a year, 9 a.m. – 10.00 p.m.
+41 022 305 05 55
More information

Hirslanden Clinique la Colline

Avenue de Beau-Séjour 6
1206 Genève
365 days a year, 9 a.m. – 11.00 p.m.
+41 22 702 21 44
More information

Hirslanden Klinik St. Anna

St. Anna-Strasse 32
6006 Luzern
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 41 208 44 44
More information

Hirslanden Clinique Bois-Cerf
Hirslanden Clinique Cecil

Avenue Ruchonnet 53
1003 Lausanne
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 21 310 50 30
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Im Park

Seestrasse 220
8027 Zürich
365 days a year, 7 a.m. – 10.00 p.m.
+41 44 209 25 55
More information

Hirslanden AndreasKlinik Cham Zug

Rigistrasse 1
6330 Cham
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 41 784 01 44
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Aarau

Schänisweg
5001 Aarau
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 62 836 76 76
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Birshof

Reinacherstrasse 28
4142 Münchenstein
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 61 335 25 75
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Beau-Site

Schänzlihalde 11
3013 Bern
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 31 335 30 30
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Linde

Blumenrain 105
2501 Biel
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 32 366 41 12
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Permanence

Bümplizstrasse 83
3018 Bern
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 31 990 41 11
More information

Hirslanden Salem-Spital

Schänzlistrasse 39
3013 Bern
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 31 335 35 35
More information

Hirslanden Clinique des Grangettes

Chemin des Grangettes 7
1224 Chêne-Bougeries
365 days a year:
Mon. to Fri. 7 a.m. – 11.00 p.m.
Sat., Sun. & public holidays 8 a.m. – 11.00 p.m.
+41 022 305 07 77
More information

Hirslanden Clinique des Grangettes

Chemin des Grangettes 7
1224 Chêne-Bougeries
365 days a year, 9 a.m. – 10.00 p.m.
+41 022 305 05 55
More information

Hirslanden Clinique la Colline

Avenue de Beau-Séjour 6
1206 Genève
365 days a year, 9 a.m. – 11.00 p.m.
+41 22 702 21 44
More information

Hirslanden Klinik St. Anna

St. Anna-Strasse 32
6006 Luzern
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 41 208 44 44
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Stephanshorn

Brauerstrasse 95
9016 St.Gallen
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 71 282 74 74
More information

Hirslanden Clinique Bois-Cerf
Hirslanden Clinique Cecil

Avenue Ruchonnet 53
1003 Lausanne
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 21 310 50 30
More information

Hirslanden AndreasKlinik Cham Zug

Rigistrasse 1
6330 Cham
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 41 784 01 44
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Im Park

Seestrasse 220
8027 Zürich
365 days a year, 7 a.m. – 10.00 p.m.
+41 44 209 25 55
More information

Hirslanden Klinik Hirslanden

Witellikerstrasse 40
8032 Zürich
24/7, 365 days a year
+41 44 387 35 35
More information
Please accept functional cookies to see this content.
Back to top
Contact
Terms Of Use
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Legal Information
© Hirslanden Group 2022