Tips for safe tobogganing

Every year thousands of accidents happen during tobogganing in the Alps. It seems a harmless activity, but the opposite is true. That is why a few tips for safe sledding are not superfluous.

In the last few weeks, I have been able to model for recordings in four different ski areas. Only in Bacchanal did I manage not to fall along the way. And then I am still cautiously sledding. If you are not so careful on the sled, a lot can go wrong. In Austria alone, 2,000 people are injured in winter during tobogganing. Forty percent of these are children.

Tobogganing tips

Just like skiing, it is important that you learn to sled. The toboggan runs can be very fast and you can also shoot quickly if you do not know how to brake or how to turn a corner. Furthermore, a few other things are important. Therefore these tips from the Austrian experts.

· You do not the only brake with your heels, but with your complete shoe soles.

· Take into account others. If you walk on a toboggan run (up), do this on the side. Try to keep the toboggan run free as much as possible, so do not stop in the middle of the toboggan run.

· Make sure your equipment is in order. You will need a helmet with ski goggles, gloves, sturdy and waterproof shoes, warm and waterproof clothing and a sturdy and well-functioning toboggan (no sleigh of plastic). If you go tobogganing in the evening on an unlit toboggan run, make sure you also have a headlamp and reflective clothing or reflective tapes

· Adjust your speed to your own abilities, the circumstances, and the location

· Keep away from your predecessor

· Use of alcohol before and during tobogganing is taboo

· Follow the instructions on the signs (with warnings and closures for example)

· Make sure you can break at any time

· Never drag your head forward