How dangerous is skateboarding? [Safety & Preventions]

Skateboarding is no doubt a daring and potentially dangerous sport. While it offers countless physical, mental and social benefits, it’s important for anyone considering taking up the sport to understand the risks involved.

As with any extreme activity, there is always a high risk of injury from falls, collisions or stunts. Skateboarders should practice safety precautions like wearing protective gear, avoiding wet or slippery surfaces, not performing tricks above their skill level and keeping an eye out for obstacles like cars or curbs.

Familiarity with skateboard maintenance can be important too; making sure the board is in good condition can often help reduce the chance of an unexpected accident occurring while skating.

Therefore, some degree of risk comes with just about any type of extreme sport – but as long as skilled skaters keep safety first, they’ll find this exciting activity can provide hours of joy without having to worry about serious consequences.

Most common injuries associated with skateboarding

Skateboarding is an incredibly popular sport, but like any physical activity, it does come with potential risks of injury. Knowing what these injuries are and how to avoid them can help you stay safe while skateboarding. Let’s take a look at the most common injuries associated with skateboarding and how to prevent them. 

Sprains and Strains 

One of the most common types of skateboard-related injuries are sprains and strains. Sprains occur when ligaments—the tissue that connects bones together—are stretched or torn.

Strains, on the other hand, are overstretched or torn muscles or tendons—tissues which attach muscle to bone. This type of injury often occurs when skaters attempt tricks that require sudden movements in their arms and legs, such as ollies or kickflips.

To prevent this type of injury, it’s important to warm up before skating, use proper form when attempting tricks, stretch after skating, and wear protective gear such as wrist guards and knee pads.

Lacerations

Another common injury associated with skateboarding is lacerations—deep cuts on the skin caused by coming into contact with sharp objects such as rocks or gravel.

To protect against lacerations, skaters should always wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants made from durable materials like denim, leather, or canvas.

These materials will offer better protection against abrasions than lighter fabrics such as cotton or polyester.

Additionally, wearing helmets and pads can help protect against lacerations if a skater falls onto something sharp while skating. 

Concussions

Concussions are another potential risk for skateboarders who don’t take proper safety precautions while skating.

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can cause symptoms such as headaches and dizziness; it’s caused by a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull.

To reduce your risk of suffering from a concussion while skateboarding, it’s important to always wear a helmet—even if you’re just cruising around your local park rather than attempting tricks—as well as elbow pads, wrist guards, knee pads, and any other protective gear you may need depending on your skill level.

Additionally, never try any tricks that you don’t feel comfortable doing; if something feels too risky for you even after taking all possible safety measures then it’s likely not worth attempting.

Fractures

Fractures occur when there is too much force placed on bone causing it to break or crack.

The most common fracture associated with skateboarding is known as a “skater’s fracture” which occurs when someone lands on their heel or ankle after attempting a trick such as an ollie or kickflip.

To avoid fractures while skateboarding, it’s important to practice landing tricks on softer surfaces such as grass until you have mastered them before attempting more intense tricks on harder surfaces like concrete or asphalt.

Additionally, wearing protective gear such as shin guards or ankle braces can help reduce the risk of fractures.

Prevent injuries while skateboarding

Unfortunately, it can also lead to injuries if proper safety precautions are not taken. In this blog post, we will look at five key ways skateboarders can reduce their risk of injury while out on the streets. 

Wear Protective Gear

A helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and wrist guards are all essential pieces of equipment that should be worn by skateboarders at all times when skating.

This will help reduce the chances of sustaining a serious injury in the event of a fall or collision with another skater or object.

Additionally, be sure to wear durable shoes that have adequate grip for better control when riding. 

Avoid Distractions

Staying focused on what you are doing is crucial for avoiding accidents while skateboarding.

Don’t let yourself get distracted by talking to friends or using your phone while riding as these activities can take away from your Attention To Detail (ATD).

Being aware of your surroundings at all times will help you anticipate any potential hazards along the way and allow you to adjust accordingly. 

Know Your Limits

As with any activity, it’s important to know your own skill level so that you don’t overreach and attempt tricks that may be beyond your abilities just yet.

Start small and work your way up as you become more comfortable with skateboarding and increase your skillset over time.

This will ensure you stay safe while still pushing yourself to progress further in this exciting sport.

Maintain Your Board

Properly maintain your skateboard by regularly checking for loose nuts, bolts, and other mechanical issues that could put you at risk during a ride.

Additionally, check the wheels periodically to make sure they are tight enough so that they won’t come off during use.

Ride Responsibly

It is important to always be aware of traffic laws while skateboarding and abide by them at all times.

This includes wearing reflective clothing if riding in low light conditions as well as signaling turns when appropriate (as cars would) so other riders/drivers know where you are going next.

This responsibility helps keep everyone safe by making sure no one gets hurt due to careless mistakes on either end.

What should I do if I fall while skateboarding?

Falling while skateboarding can be a scary experience. The impact of the fall and the sudden jolt can leave you feeling bruised, sore, and in some cases, injured. Although falling is an unavoidable part of skateboarding, there are several steps you can take to help minimize your risk of injury.

Check for Injuries Immediately

The first step after a fall is to check yourself for any injuries that may have been sustained during the accident. It’s important to assess your body for any pain or bruises that could indicate an underlying issue. If there are any signs of injury, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. 

Move Away from Traffic

If you’re skateboarding on the street or in a public area, it’s important to move away from traffic immediately after a fall. This will help ensure that no one else is injured due to your accident. 

Rest and Recover

After assessing yourself for injuries, it’s important to rest and recover before getting back on the board again. Not only will this help prevent further injury, but it will also give you time to think through the cause of your accident so you can avoid similar situations in the future. 

Make Necessary Adjustments

Once you’ve had time to rest and reflect on the cause of your fall, make adjustments accordingly. Whether it’s changing out worn-out parts on your board or simply slowing down when going around curves, making small adjustments can go a long way towards helping prevent future falls.  

Wear Protective Gear

Finally, make sure that you always wear protective gear when skateboarding! Wearing a helmet can help minimize potential head injuries if another accident were to occur in the future; elbow pads and kneepads can also provide added protection against abrasions and scrapes; and wrist guards can protect against sprains and broken bones caused by hard landings after jumps or tricks gone wrong.

What should I do if I see someone skateboarding unsafely?

If you witness someone skateboarding unsafely, it is important that you take action to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

• To ensure your safety and that of the skateboarder, make sure to stand at a distance from them so you can observe their performance while being prepared for any sudden emergency.
• Next, it is important to assess the situation and determine what type of unsafe behavior the person is displaying. Maybe they are doing tricks without wearing a helmet or other protective gear, or maybe they are skating too quickly without looking out for potential obstacles or dangers. Once you have identified the issue, it is time to act.
• Your approach will depend on your comfort level, but some strategies may include calling out to the skateboarder in a loud voice and asking them politely to slow down or stop completely if necessary. You can also speak with bystanders and let them know that their friend is not being safe; this could help motivate them to intervene as well.
• If all else fails, consider talking with a police officer who may be willing to help enforce safety regulations.

Our Verdict

When it comes to skateboarding, it is important to consider potential risks and to always wear protective gear.

Although skateboarding has been found to be a relatively safe activity when compared with other extreme sports, there are physical dangers associated with the sport, such as increased risk of injury or broken bones.

As such, caution should always be exercised when engaging in skateboarding activities. Furthermore, learning how to properly fall can help prevent serious injuries. Consider taking classes or lessons from certified instructors who can teach you how to properly maneuver and execute tricks that are within your ability level.

With the right knowledge and preparation, skateboarders can enjoy safely riding their boards for years to come.

FAQs

Are helmets required for skateboarding?

Most areas do not require helmets for skateboarding, but it is highly recommended that you wear one at all times while skating. Helmets can help protect your head and face from serious injuries, so they should always be worn when engaging in any skateboarding activity. Additionally, knee pads, elbow pads, and other protective gear should also be worn to minimize risk of injuries.

Is skateboarding more dangerous than football?

It depends on the context. In general, football is a contact sport with risk of head injuries and other physical trauma, whereas skateboarding generally does not involve physical contact between participants. However, skateboarders do experience higher rates of broken bones, sprains, and other injuries due to falls or collisions. It is important that all skaters take necessary safety precautions in order to reduce injury risk.

Is skateboarding more dangerous than riding a bike?

Again, it depends on the context. Skateboarding involves a degree of risk that is not necessarily associated with traditional cycling activities. Skaters are more likely to experience falls or collisions with other riders/objects due to their increased speed and agility. As such, wearing protective gear and being aware of your surroundings while skateboarding is highly recommended in order to reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, cyclists are typically required to use helmets and other protective equipment, whereas skateboarders often do not have this requirement.