by Jerrie Lynn South-DeRose

Created on: March 21, 2009

The Death of a Star and How to Avoid Head Injuries While Skiing.

The recent death of movie and Broadway icon Natasha Richardson at the age of forty-five, the 1997 death of Robert Kennedy's son Michael in 1997, and the 1998 death of Senator and one time television star and singer Sonny Bono, as a result of skiing accidents, highlights and illustrates the dangers of both hidden and obvious injuries that can result in paralysis or death. The cause of Natasha Richardson's death, according to the autopsy report, was an epidural hematoma. Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the New York City medical examiner's office, stated that an epidural hematoma causes bleeding between the skull and the lining of the brain.

Doctors also reported that if Ms. Richardson had sought or agreed to medical attention immediately following the accident, there is a high probability that she would have lived. Feeling fine and with no apparent injuries, Natasha Richardson turned down the medical attention she was offered at the ski resort. Approximately one hour later, according to various reports, Ms. Richardson developed a headache and was taken to a hospital where she later passed away after being removed from life support.

When a person falls or receives a blow to the head, the brain may bounce within the cavity of the skull and may cause shearing or tearing of the blood vessels surrounding the brain and Dura. According to the University of Missouri Health Care website, when the blood vessels tear, blood accumulates within the space between the Dura and the skull. This is known as an epidural hematoma (epi-door-ul hem-a-to-ma), or blood clot at the covering of the brain. Since symptoms are often not immediately noticeable following a fall or other accident, it is imperative for anyone suffering a fall on the ski slopes, regardless of their level of expertise, to immediately seek first aid advice and an examination, on-site, at the resort's first aid or emergency center. A person with a suspected traumatic brain injury can be immediately flown or driven by ambulance to the nearest hospital and can be closely monitored on the trip.

Sadly, most head injuries are caused by the failure to wear proper protective gear, whether the victims are skiing, riding a bicycle, riding a motorcycle, or engaging in other higher risk activities. Neither Ms. Richardson nor Michael Kennedy were wearing helmets. Protective gear for skiers is available in a variety of colors, styles, and designs, so that skiers and persons engaging in other activities do not have to give anything up in the way of being fashionable and comfortable. Goggles are also available in a variety of colors and styles. Safety should always come first.

It is equally important for skiers to take other safety precautions that will help lessen the risk of accidental falls or hitting trees and other skiers, etc. Keeping track of the weather and changing snow and slope conditions throughout the day, sticking to skiing on slopes that equal a skier's level of expertise, following resort and slope rules, and knowing where emergency services at the resort are located is imperative. A skier, no matter what their age, their level of expertise, or any medical training they may have had, should immediately seek medical attention after any fall, no matter how minor the fall seems. In the case of Michael Kennedy's death CNN - Coroner: Kennedy death accidental - January 1, 1998 reported that, in addition to not wearing a helmet, the family had been playing a form of ski football, and had been warned of the dangers of this sport by a ski patrol earlier in the day.

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