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URMC Helping Young Skiers Stay Safe on the Slopes

Feb. 3, 2013
Trauma Center Teaming Up with Bristol Mountain Winter Resort

The Kessler Trauma Program from the University of Rochester Medical Center and Bristol Mountain Winter Resort are joining forces to help young skiers and snowboarders avoid injury. The one-day event is being held at Bristol Mountain on Saturday, February 16. Young skiers have the opportunity to participate in a ski or snowboard lesson, in combination with an educational session led by a trauma nurse.In addition, program participants without their own helmets may be eligible to receive a free one.

“Our goal is simple. We want to reduce the number of head injuries that occur as a result of winter sports,” says Ray A. McLean, RN, EMT-P Injury Prevention Coordinator at URMC’s Kessler Trauma Center.“We want to instill good habits while they are young.”

The Center, in partnership with the Injury Free Coalition for Kids at Golisano Children’s Hospital, is providing drop-in trauma injury prevention sessions all day near the Learning Center in Sunset Lodge.

Bristol Mountain is offering $45 ski and snowboard lessons for children of all ability levels at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m. A free beginner class is also scheduled for 5 p.m. The lessons are available on a first-come, first-served basis to children ages 4 to 12.Learn to Ski packages are also available for ages 13 and older.

Children and adolescents who complete both the educational session and a lesson are eligible for a free helmet if they do not already own one. Helmets will be given to the first 60 participants in need, based on size and availability.