Every winter in Russia, dozens of cases of serious injuries and deaths are recorded when riding a «cheesecake» or tubing — an inflatable circle made of rubber or PVC. The peak of such incidents, for obvious reasons, falls on the New Year holidays. According to Dmitry Myamlin, a pediatric traumatologist and orthopedist, this popular winter activity is much more dangerous than many people think. img src=»/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/c1b8d03baea8b005ecd49cd28436ce5e.jpg» />
«It looks like bumper fractures»
According to Dmitry Myamlin, unlike sleds, ice-boats, and cartons from Soviet childhood, “cheesecakes” are completely uncontrollable and do not provide room for maneuver. If on the sled it is possible to “steer” with your feet or simply roll on your side, then the inflatable circle does not make it possible to control the situation.
Moreover, when trying to slow down, the “cheesecake” turns a person with the back of his head forward, and in a collision with any obstacle, a traumatic brain injury is almost guaranteed. Taking into account the fact that the tubing instantly develops a speed of up to 60 km. per hour, the risk of serious injury increases many times over.
“When I first saw a patient injured while riding a cheesecake, at first I thought that these were injuries after an accident. Injuries after falls or collisions on a sled are very common and are easier to treat. Here, the injuries are very similar to bumper fractures of large bones, such injuries appear as a result of a strong side impact. Such fractures are very difficult to grow together, most often an operation is needed, ”said Dmitry Myamlin.
How to protect yourself from injuries while riding a “cheesecake”?
To all fans of skiing Dmitry Myamlin recommends choosing sleds, ice skates or snow scooters — in a word, any devices that make it possible for maneuvers and control. You can also put aside false shame and use a piece of cardboard or a piece of linoleum and show your child how you had fun as a child. Another question is that this is not possible on any hill.
If you still choose tubing, strictly follow these rules. All this will save your life and the life of your child:
- Do not let children ride alone, especially small ones. Children under 6 years old should not ride at all;
- Wear a protective helmet yourself and explain to your children why this is so important;
- Choose slides for skiing on gentle slopes (no more than 20 degrees) with special bumpers;
- Never ride on tracks that are not equipped with bumpers or plows on the sides, where there are any obstacles: trees, steps;
- Do not inflate the “cheesecake” above the recommended pressure, this will significantly increase acceleration and maximum speed;
- Do not sit on the tubing together, especially with a child in your arms;
- You need to sit on the “cheesecake like on a chair: leaning back and bending your legs knees. Hold on tight to the handles. Do not take a running jump onto the tubing!
- Never tie the tubing to a car or snowmobile — you can easily get under the wheels if you brake hard.