By STUART SMYTHE, Alpine Resorts Victoria's Falls Creek chief operating officer

ANYONE who knows me will have heard this spiel before, and for good reason.

A big part of my job is risk management and mitigation.

Exhibit A in today’s article is how the use of a ski helmet is a very simple and effective way to reduce the risk of traumatic injury to one of the most important parts of the body…your “noggin”.

The message must be getting through, because the percentage of snowsports enthusiasts using a helmet has increased to a record 92.3 per cent at the end of the 2023 season.

In fact, the acceptance of and appreciation for wearing a helmet has dramatically improved since the Australian Ski Areas Association began measuring this statistic in 2013.

In 2013, the very first survey, only 57.4 per cent of people used a helmet.

But to now be at 92.3 per cent is a tremendous improvement.

Well done to 92.3 per cent of you.

I love a good a stat, and more so when those stats have tangible evidence that choices being made are having a legitimate impact in the context of their application.

Studies conducted over the last 17 ski seasons across resorts around the world confirm that as helmet usage increased, potentially serious head injuries (PSHI) dropped.

The study’s author concluded that there was a dramatic improvement in the decline of potentially serious head injuries, particularly concussions.

This is pertinent when three quarters of all PSHI’s from skiing or snowboarding are mild concussions, and 90 per cent require some form of medical treatment.

The study also concluded that use of helmets have been extremely effective at preventing skull fractures and virtually eliminated scalp lacerations.

So, whether you wear a helmet to keep your head warm, use it to put your gloves in during lunch or après, or simply use it brag about all the resorts you’ve skied with stickers from where you’ve skied, the evidence is pretty clear…wearing a helmet is a no brainer.

If you’re still not convinced, watch “The Crash Reel” or several other movies centred around traumatic brain injuries, all emphasise the use of a helmet when on snow, with two sticks or a plank strapped to our feet and generally on terrain that has varying gradients, might suggest that anything that helps protect the grey matter shouldn’t be that tough of a choice.

Wearing a helmet is a choice, it’s a bit like insurance.

You can choose to have none, a little, or a lot, but ultimately you make a decision to protect yourself, your family and your friends from the unknown…or not. I choose to keep my head warm; the rest is a bonus.

Rightyho – time to get out there and lay some tracks.