[krisk]

I have worked as a part time ski instructor on and off since I was 16 depending on where I was living etc etc. Schools require the instructor to fill out a complete accident report including all equipment the skier is wearing. Instructors encourage an injured student to seek care from Ski Patrol (there is no charge). The only time decisions are more or less made for you is if you are tobogganed off the slope with a suspected head or back injury (unless it is incredibly obvious that the *victim* is malingering... there are kids that will do ANYTHING to get out of a lesson!). They take absolutely no chances under those circumstances.

I have been telling my students for quite some time that I am fairly confident that helmets will be a required piece of safety equipment before long (braking devices on skis and leashes on boards were not always required). The school I have worked for since '99 requires helmets on kids under 12. Kids under 18 are required to have them in racing classes, and all students (up to 99) are required to have them in the terrain park. Our school was given a grant a few years back, and we sell $75 helmets for $35. As instructors we are "highly encouraged" to wear helmets whenever instructing. You can read whatever you like into the quotes.

So sorry. So sad. So preventable.