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.

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

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).

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.

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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

First aid on the slopes

Most common sporting injuries

Pulled hamstring

Torn ligament

Bruising

Fracture

Strain

Concussion

Warming up exercises

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

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

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

Winter sport – how to stay safe

Should you drink more fluid on the slopes?

Can people with osteoarthritis play winter sport?

Is a visit to the sauna recommended after winter sport?

Can you physically prepare for winter sport?

Do the majority of accidents really happen after lunch?

Do you need to warm up on the slopes?

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

Is the greatest danger from other sportspeople?

Do you burn the most calories while snowboarding?

Winter sports: did you know...?

The emergency procedure

What you should do in an emergency

Where to find us

Hirslanden Klinik Hirslanden

Hirslanden Klinik Birshof

Hirslanden Klinik Stephanshorn

Hirslanden Klinik Aarau

Hirslanden Klinik Beau-Site

Hirslanden Klinik Linde

Hirslanden Klinik Permanence

Hirslanden Salem-Spital

Hirslanden Clinique des Grangettes

Hirslanden Clinique des Grangettes

Hirslanden Clinique la Colline

Hirslanden Klinik St. Anna

Hirslanden Clinique Bois-CerfHirslanden Clinique Cecil

Hirslanden Klinik Im Park

Hirslanden AndreasKlinik Cham Zug

Emergency Centre Hirslanden Klinik Aarau, Aargau

Hirslanden Klinik Aarau

Orthopaedic Emergency Centre Hirslanden Klinik Birshof, Basle-Country

Hirslanden Klinik Birshof

24-h Emergency Unit Klinik Beau-Site Hirslanden Klinik Beau-Site, Bern

Hirslanden Klinik Beau-Site

Emergency Centre Linde Hirslanden Klinik Linde, Bern

Hirslanden Klinik Linde

24-h Emergency Unit Klinik Permanence Hirslanden Klinik Permanence, Bern

Hirslanden Klinik Permanence

First aid
on the slopes

Winter sport –
how to stay safe

Winter sports:
did you know...?

Hirslanden Clinique Bois-Cerf
Hirslanden Clinique Cecil

Hirslanden Clinique Bois-Cerf
Hirslanden Clinique Cecil