Skateboard Safety Tips

Fractures, sprains, abrasions, contusions, and even head injuries are frequent among skateboarders. These can be prevented with the following safety tips:

Wear a helmet 21 percent of the total reported skateboard-related injuries are head injuries. So it makes sense to wear a helmet. Make sure that the helmet you wear has a chin strap and fits around your head perfectly.

Wear protective gear Elbow pads, knee pads, wrist pads, and gloves may not fully protect you from fractures but it can reduce the severity of bruises and cuts.

Do not ride in traffic While modern skateboards are designed for maximum control, it is not advisable to ride when crossing the street. Also, never attempt to "skitch" (or riding while holding on to a moving vehicle) on motorcycles, trucks, bicycles, or cars.

Skate on the right place Many skateboard-related injuries are caused by skating in the street or in places with human or vehicular traffic. Go to parks, empty parking spaces, or indoor skate parks. It is equally important to skate on the grounds with smooth surfaces as small bumps, sticks, holes, and stones on the riding surface can cause falls.

Do not take chances Learning new tricks is cool but you have to make sure that you perform it with caution and lots of practice. Never show off.

Never skate alone Like swimming, do not attempt to skate alone. This way, when accident happens, there is someone to help you.

Learn to fall from the skateboard properly Most injuries happen because the skateboarder losses his balance. Learning how to fall will reduce the risk of injuries. The best way to fall is to crouch down as it reduces your height and amount of impact during the fall. Try to relax your body rather than go stiff. Roll rather than absorb the full impact of the fall. And try to fall on the fleshy part of your body rather than absorb the impact with your arms.

Choose the right skateboard Boards vary differently. Some are designed for speed while others are designed for freestyle or slalom. Choose a specific board that fits your requirements. If you did some serious skateboarding before, you should know. If you are buying for the first time, seek advice.

Know what to do in case of emergency No matter how much protection you have or how faithful you follow all the safety tips in the book, accidents can happen. Make sure that you remain calm and seek help immediately.