PLAY IT SAFE WHEN DOWNHILL SKIING.

Byline: Michelle Kaufman Knight-Ridder Tribune News Wire

Despite the recent deaths of Sonny Bono and Michael Kennedy on snowy slopes, skiing remains a relatively safe sport if you tackle the downhill with proper precaution.

While there are inherent dangers in skiing, more people die each year of injuries from a bike or boat than a pair of skis. The National Safety Council and National Ski Areas Association report that 36 people were killed during the 1996-1997 skiing season in snow skiing and snowboarding accidents in the United States, compared with 716 recreational boating deaths and 800 bicyclist deaths for the same period.

That translates to 0.69 ski-related deaths per million skier/snowboard visits). There were another 36 cases of serious ski injuries - resulting in paralysis, severe head or internal injuries, or coma. Of those 36 people, 24 were male; seven were snowboarders.

Excessive speed and loss of control are the primary factors associated with snow skiing fatalities, and more than three-quarters of the deaths - including those of Kennedy and Bono - occur after collisions with stationary objects such as trees or lift towers. Head injuries are most often cited as the cause of death.

Which brings us to the obvious question: Should skiers wear helmets?

The U.S. Ski Association requires all racers in downhill, giant slalom and super-G events to wear helmets. Expert skiers often reach speeds of 75 mph.

``Anybody who wants to be completely safe should wear a helmet,'' said Dr. Jeffrey Hadley, a former ski instructor who studies ski injuries for the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Johns Hopkins University. ``Most parents will put a helmet on their child, which means they think it's important, but they won't wear one themselves. The risk of serious injury is so small that they figure it won't happen to them.''

The lightweight helmets, which are more comfortable than people might imagine, will cost you around $100.

Before you hit the slopes, consider these safe skiing tips:

1. Give moving skiers below you the right of way and always ski in control. Many accidents are the result of collisions by out-of-control skiers.

2. When buying or renting equipment, ask for advice. If you bring your own equipment, always have boots and bindings checked for proper fit at a local ski shop before you hit the slopes. Bindings are critical and should be replaced every three to four years.

3. Get in shape early. Start doing some aerobic exercise four to six weeks before your ski trip.

4. Don't ski alone.

5. Take lessons. Spouses and friends are neither as qualified nor as patient as a certified instructor.

6. Start on an easy run to loosen up before trying more difficult slopes.

7. Don't be afraid to say no. Don't let peer pressure put you on a slope you can't handle. Go at your own pace.

8. Don't be embarrassed to wear a helmet. Bikers, in-line skaters and ski racers wear them, and so do many children. Not only can they protect you from serious head injury, they keep your head warmer than most hats.

9. Don't take ``one last run.'' The last run of the day is often the most dangerous. Your muscles are tired, the sun is going down so obstacles are harder to see, and snow can be icy.

10. When all else fails, use common sense.

CAPTION(S):

Chart

Chart: Skiing accidents

Since 1984, an average of 34 people per year have died from skiing and snowboarding accidents

Knight-Ridder Tribune Graphics Network