Ice skating isn’t all glamor and grace. There are also inherent risks, and all snowboarders, especially beginners, should be aware of them. In 2007 alone, 4,500 skiers were injured in Austria, requiring hospital care. Wrist and head injuries topped the list.
the fall
Falling on ice is the number one hazard to consider, whether skating indoors or outdoors. It depends not only on the skills of the snowboarder, but also on the quality of the ice surface, as well as the ice skates used. Although serious and fatal injuries are very rare, there are isolated cases of paralysis after falling onto the ice. Ski blades also present a potential cause for hazards, as they are very sharp and can cut skin and cause injury. This underlines the need to wear protective equipment, especially helmets, to avoid head injuries or other similar injuries caused by falling on the metal blades of the skates.
Outdoor skiing
Moving and sliding on the frozen waterways is still an observable fact. Because natural ice is so unpredictable in terms of strength and structure, there is a potential risk of falling into freezing water whenever the ice breaks. The fact that the ice conditions are uncontrollable should prevent skaters from attempting to skate on frozen bodies of water. Once they have fallen, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to get back on the ice or out of the water, as the ice tends to break continuously. This becomes more dangerous when the skater has no company while skating on natural rinks. In the depths of the freezing water it will be very difficult to swim because of the skis and heavy winter clothes, so there is a great chance that the skier will drown or suffer from shock and hypothermia.
When skating outdoors, one has to remember that ice is thinner, and therefore weaker, in areas near river or pond edges due to vegetation and higher temperature. Ice is also weak under bridges and areas exposed to sunlight, also due to the high temperature.
Because of the dangers of ice skating, people need to be educated about wearing proper protective gear and, if possible, staying off freezing waterways when skating, or, if they really want to, they need to know the thickness of the ice first before putting on their skates and starting to move on the ice.