If you are looking for information on concussions visit this link from the Sports Information and Resource Center

http://www.sirc.ca/newsletters/august09/index.html

INJURY STATISTICS

• There are more than 900 skiing and snowboarding injuries, among all ages, that require hospitalization annually (BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit)
• Traumatic head injury is the leading cause of death among skiers and snowboarders (SMARTRISK, 2009)
• Helmets have been linked to a 60 per cent reduction in head injuries for skiers and snowboarders (SMARTRISK, 2009)
• Each year, BC Children’s Hospital has about 90 visits to its emergency department because of snowboarding injuries, and more than 50 visits related to downhill skiing (Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program)

STAY SAFE ON THE SLOPES

• Wear appropriate protective ski/snowboard gear, including ASTM/SNELL-approved helmets, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads and goggles (with UV protection)
• Consider enrolling yourself and/or your child in skiing/snowboarding lessons from a certified instructor to learn proper technique, skills and etiquette
• Stay on slopes that are suited to your skill level and gradually build up to the more advanced runs
• Know your lines – stay within boundaries. Snowboard/ski with a partner
• Supervise children and youth who may not recognize safe boundary zones
• Be aware of your surroundings by watching for obstacles and other people
• Ski bindings should be adjusted by a professional at the beginning of the ski season. For snowboarders, ensure that your bindings are installed properly
• Maintain your snowboard through adequate sharpening of edges, proper installation of bindings, and adequate waxing of the board

Source: Safe Kids Canada, 2009; SMARTRISK, 2008

HELMETS

• Check for the ASTM/SNELL safety sticker inside the helmet (Note: CSA is in the process of a certification for ski/snowboard helmets)
• Some helmets are multi-impact while others are single impact. Use the appropriate helmet and read the instructions for when to discard your helmet
• A properly worn helmet should fit by allowing one finger between the chin and chinstrap, and a two-finger distance from the helmet to the brow. The helmet should be snug and comfortable
• Only use approved ski/snowboard helmets. Other helmets, such as bicycle helmets, don’t provide the required protection

Source: ThinkFirst, 2009

You probably won’t need a helmet today – Helmets credited with 60 per cent reduction in head injuries among snowboarders and skiers

Vancouver, BC, January 19, 2010 – Although close to 1,000 skiers and snowboarders require hospitalization from injuries annually, carving it up and having fun on the mountains doesn’t have to be dangerous.

“British Columbia is a winter wonderland that provides exciting opportunities for skiers and snowboarders,” says Dr. Ian Pike, spokesperson for The Community Against Preventable Injuries. “Unfortunately, in this excitement we tend to overlook the inherent risks involved. This could lead to serious injuries, including head trauma, concussions, spinal-cord injuries, and even death.”

Traumatic head injury is the leading cause of death for skiers and snowboarders. The impact of head injury can be permanent, leading to life-altering or even fatal effects, but there are ways to reduce the risk of these serious injuries. Research shows that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury by 60 per cent.

“It’s often the risks that we don’t see that result in serious injuries. The key is to understand the risks involved, and take appropriate safety measures. Consider wearing a helmet approved for skiing and snowboarding, controlling your speed on the slopes, and staying within your limitations to ensure safety,” says Pike.

“Injuries don’t just happen – they are mostly caused by our own attitudes and behaviours, however inadvertently – and they can happen to anyone, from a beginner to a professional.”

The Community is working with Mt. Seymour Ski Resort on a thought-provoking awareness campaign to bring the safety message to the North Shore. A snow team representing The Community will be on Mt. Seymour talking to skiers and snowboarders about the importance of protective gear.

Team members can be recognized by their branded ski jackets and customized snowboards that display the message: “You probably won’t need a helmet today.” The goal is to encourage skiers and snowboarders to think about their attitudes towards wearing safety gear.

“Mt. Seymour supports the Canadian Ski Council in recommending helmet use. We encourage all our staff and guests to wear helmets and educate themselves about the benefits and limitations of helmet use,” said Jonathan Mosley, director of Mt. Seymour Ski Resort’s ski and snowboard school.

“In addition to wearing the appropriate protective equipment, we also remind guests about their responsibilities to themselves and others while on the mountain.”
Preventable.ca is brought to you by The Community. It is a grassroots organization established to raise awareness, transform attitudes and behaviours, and ultimately drive down the number and severity of preventable injuries in B.C.

Media Contacts
For more information, please contact:
Gina Vesnaver
Contemporary Communications
Direct: 604.637.3041
Cell: 604.317.6129
E-mail: gvesnaver@ccpr.com

To all members and Friends of BIAC,
Ron Foreman our webmaster will be running in the Achilles St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Brain Injury Association of Canada but he needs your pledges. You can join Ron on the run or walk the course. You can also pull together your own team. All the information can be found below and here: Achilles St. Patricks Day 5km Walk Run Information and Race Registration Forms

If you are unable to participate and want to support Ron please email Ron to arrange your pledge or just send your cheque payable to Toronto Achilles and the funds will make their way to BIAC.

Race / Walk Information
The annual Achilles St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run/Walk is a five kilometre run or walk (your choice!) through the heart of downtown Toronto. Taking place this year on Sunday, March 14th, the run/walk starts and ends at Steam Whistle Brewing, The Roundhouse, just south of the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre on Bremner Boulevard.

In 2009, they celebrated their 10th year anniversary. Become a part of our tradition by enjoying the first spring Sunday morning run followed by a wee bit of Irish merriment, a hot bowl of Irish chili, and an ice-cold Steam Whistle pilsner. Come decked out in your St. Patrick’s Day best or your running gear. Either way, you can’t help but have fun at this unique event.

Register early to avoid disappointment—we’ve sold out the last four years!

Achilles St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run/Walk benefits Achilles Canada
The Achilles St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run/Walk sponsored by Irish Spring benefits Achilles Canada, a non-profit organization that provides people with various disabilities an opportunity to receive the physical, psychological, and communal benefits of running. The club offers training and support by able-bodied members to its Achilles athletes of all ability levels.

Raise funds for the Brain Injury Association of Canada
While the monies raised through the event fund the activities of Achilles Canada, it also offers other charities across the city the opportunity to raise funds for their programs. If you form a team, your team pays to enter the race, but 100% of the monies raised through pledges goes to your organization. It’s as easy as that! Last year (2009), more than $90,000 was raised by other charities who partnered with the event. Create your team. Please indicate that you want your funds to go to the Brain Injury Association of Canada.

CTV.ca News Staff 18/01/2010 11:17:43 AM

Parents and doctors often underestimate the severity of concussions among children, Canadian researchers contend, and they think the best solution is to scrap the word and replace it with “mild traumatic brain injury.”

Carol DeMatteo, an occupational therapist and associate clinical professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., says children diagnosed with concussions are treated differently from kids with other mild brain injuries.
Read the rest of this entry »

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the prompt initiation of intervention research on rapidly unfolding programs, policies and resource distribution approaches that have the potential to impact health and health equity at the population level. This funding opportunity strongly encourages close collaboration between program implementers (e.g. decision-makers and researchers). Only research projects that are out of the control of the researcher will be considered, meaning that the researcher is not responsible for designing or implementing the intervention.

The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is $100,000 per year for up to 2 years.

Please visit Research Net for further details.

Project Officer/ Agente de projets
Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction/ Institut des neurosciences, de la santé mentale et des toxicomanies
Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada
Room 97,160 Elgin St., 9th Floor /Pièce 97, 160 rue Elgin.,
9e étage PL4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
Tel:/Tél: 613.941.0874
Fax:/Télé: 613.954.1800
kimberley.mageau@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

NeuroMatters Connecting YOU to the Research">

In this issue:

• The Best of Three
• Ontario Neurological Strategy
• ERABI
• ASIA Conference
• No Flying Under the Radar
• Upcoming Events
• Harnessing the Power

NeuroMatters – Winter 2010, Issue 9 (pdf)

UPDATE January 2010

“I highly recommend… for survivors, family members, caregivers, medical providers, and anyone wanting to learn more about traumatic brain injury.”
- Jennifer Charvet, Alaska Brain Injury Network

Hello, I want to alert you to our documentary on DVD that I, a brain injury survivor of 18 years, have co-directed with my friend, veteran filmmaker Lyell Davies of the City University of New York.
Read the rest of this entry »

BrainTrust Canada is again hosting the Okanagan Conference on Brain Injury on April 28, 29, and 30 of 2010 in Naramata B.C. Above is a preview of what you can look forward to at this year’s conference. More information, view the program and register. We look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you!
OCBI Conference 2010
conference@braintrustcanada.com