In the United States, skateboarding is a popular recreational activity. However, it can also be a dangerous sport. Every year, dozens of skateboarders are injured or killed. We will explore the dangers of skateboarding and look at some statistics on how many people die each year as a result of this sport. We will also discuss ways to stay safe while skateboarding. If you are a skateboarder, please be sure to read this post carefully so that you can stay safe while enjoying your hobby.
How many skateboarders die a year? Facts & Figures
Skateboarding is a popular recreational activity in the United States, but it can also be a dangerous sport. Every year, dozens of skateboarders are injured or die due to accidents on their boards.
While the exact number of skateboarding deaths each year is difficult to determine, some estimates suggest that around 40 people die each year as a result of skateboarding accidents. This number may be even higher, as many skateboard-related deaths are not officially reported or recorded.
There are several factors that contribute to the danger of skateboarding. These include speed, difficult terrain, and recklessness on the part of the skater. In order to stay safe when skateboarding, it is important to be aware of these risks and take measures to avoid accidents.
What precautions can be taken to avoid fatalities while skateboarding?
Some precautions that can be taken to avoid fatalities while skateboarding include:
- Wearing proper protective gear, such as helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads.
- Choosing safer terrain, such as flat ground or smooth pavement instead of steep hills or rocks.
- Warming up and stretching before skating to avoid injury.
- Skating with a friend or group to increase safety.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol before skating, as these can impair coordination and increase the risk of accidents.
By following these safety tips, skateboarders can help reduce their risk of being injured or killed while enjoying their favorite activity.
Skateboarding Injuries Compared to Other Sports
Skateboarding is often considered a relatively safe sport, but that doesn’t mean it’s injury-free. In fact, skateboarding injuries can be quite serious, and even fatal in rare cases. Here’s a look at how skateboarding injuries compare to other sports.
According to the National Safety Council, there were nearly 28,500 skateboarding injuries in the US in 2015. This included over 85% of concussions, fractures, and dislocations, which are some of the most common types of injuries among skaters.
Skateboarding is certainly not the easiest sport to master, and many riders fall often as they develop their skills. Some falls can be painful, but most are relatively minor. The most serious skateboarding injuries tend to occur when riders collide with other objects, such as cars or trees.
Compared to other sports, skateboarding has a relatively high injury rate. For example, the injury rate for football is about 0.23 per 1,000 players, while the injury rate for skateboarding is about 8.03 per 1,000 skaters. Research has also shown that skateboarders tend to sustain higher impact injuries than other sports participants.
Skateboarding is also more dangerous for children and adolescents, due to their growing bones and the fact that they are still learning how to balance on the board. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 6 should not skateboard at all.
While skateboarding injuries can be serious, it’s important to remember that they are still relatively rare. And with proper safety gear and a little practice, you can greatly reduce your risk of being injured while skating.
Conclusion
Although skateboarding is a popular hobby, it can be dangerous. In the United States, an average of 40 people die each year from skateboarding accidents. Many of these fatalities could be prevented by wearing proper safety gear and being aware of the risks associated with this activity. If you’re a skateboarder, please take precautions to stay safe and enjoy your hobby to the fullest extent possible.