PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Michael D Scott AU - David B Buller AU - Peter A Andersen AU - Barbara J Walkosz AU - Jennifer H Voeks AU - Mark B Dignan AU - Gary R Cutter TI - Testing the risk compensation hypothesis for safety helmets in alpine skiing and snowboarding AID - 10.1136/ip.2006.014142 DP - 2007 Jun 01 TA - Injury Prevention PG - 173--177 VI - 13 IP - 3 4099 - http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/13/3/173.short 4100 - http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/13/3/173.full SO - Inj Prev2007 Jun 01; 13 AB - Objective: The prevalence of helmet use by alpine skiers and snowboarders was estimated and self-reports on risk taking were assessed to test for potential risk compensation when using helmets in these sports. Setting: Skiers and snowboarders were observed and interviewed at 34 resorts in the western United States and Canada. Subjects: Respondents were 1779 adult skiers and snowboarders in the 2003 ski season. Outcome measures: Observations of helmet use and questions about perceived speed and degree of challenge when not wearing a helmet (helmet wearers) or in previous ski seasons (non-helmet wearers). Results: Helmet wearers reported that they skied/snowboarded at slower speeds (OR = 0.64, p<0.05) and challenged themselves less (OR = 0.76, p<0.05) than non-helmet wearers. Adoption of safety helmets in 2003 (23%) continued to increase over 2002 (OR = 0.46, p<0.05) and 2001 (OR = 0.84, p<0.05). Conclusions: No evidence of risk compensation among helmet wearers was found. Decisions to wear helmets may be part of a risk reduction orientation. Helmet use continues to trend upwards but adoption may be slowing.