TOM CAMPBELL
Special to Globe and Mail Update
March 27, 2009 at 12:00 AM EDT

My family are frequent skiers at Mont Tremblant, and our hearts go out to the family of Natasha Richardson, who died after a head injury at the Quebec resort earlier this month. While all accidental deaths are tragic, this was even more so because, in all probability, it could have been prevented. It is past time when all ski hills should require helmets.

Skiing is a wonderful sport, but it is statistically one of the most dangerous. In Canada, there are about 140 hospitalizations for serious head injuries every year, plus many deaths. In Quebec alone, there were 26 deaths over one 14-year period. At Tremblant, the use of helmets has been increasing slowly, by our observation, from about 20 per cent 10 years ago to close to 90 per cent today. Unfortunately, it appears that their use at many other ski hills is significantly lower.

The skiing industry must face up to its responsibilities in this matter of public safety. While no individual hill may want to take action for fear of losing business, if they all acted together, the public would readily accept it, since many skiers already comply. One obstacle is the macho holdover in the attitude of some good skiers and wannabes, which harkens back to the days of playing hockey without helmets.

It would be particularly helpful to the cause of safety if ski instructors set the example themselves, as they have at some ski schools, including the largest ski club in Canada, Oshawa-Kirby.

A novice should be assured that when they take lessons, they will have all the necessary equipment to keep them safe. If, by contrast, Ms. Richardson had taken sky diving lessons, she would not have been told that a reserve chute was optional. As a beginner, she was not qualified to make an informed decision about the risk of skiing without a helmet and she should not have been given that option.

It’s only a matter of time before there are major public liability law suits over this kind of occurrence. The insurance companies should use some foresight in their own interests – they could very well save themselves major claims and also save many lives by making ski hills require helmets in order to qualify for public liability insurance.

The recent move to set standards for ski helmets is good, but it will not help unless they are worn. This proposal doesn’t require government legislation. It only requires the use of reason and could be adopted without delay. It would assuredly save many lives and prevent many serious brain injuries.

Skiing is healthy, both mentally and physically, and is an exhilarating sport for all ages. It is the closest most mortals will ever come to being able to fly. And it can be quite safe. Our granddaughter Zita started last year at three and a half and loves it. We would not have her out there on the hill at Mont Tremblant if we did not think it was safe. But you can be sure that everyone in our family skis with a helmet.

Tom Campbell is a skier and a former deputy Ontario health minister.