Creators Syndicate

FIGHT BACK!  BY DAVID HOROWITZ 

Rollerblades of Summer 

        No doubt about it. Rollerblades, or in-line skates, are  hot!
Sales of in-line skates have gone up 500 percent since  1989, and the
industry expects record sales again this year.  But public-health
experts say we can also expect a record  number of skating injuries
this year. The Consumer Product  Safety Commission says serious head
injuries among skaters  may rise from last year's count of 2,000 to as
many as 7,000  this year. 
        Are rollerblades really more dangerous than conventional 
roller skates and skateboards? Numbers alone don't answer the 
question. Between July 1 of last year and June 30 of this  year, there
were nearly 93,000 roller-skating injuries  reported. That compares
with 35,000 skateboard injuries and  31,000 injuries from
rollerblading. 
        That would seem to indicate that roller skating is three  times
as dangerous as in-line skating. But there's a critical  number missing
in that equation. We don't know how many  roller skates, in-line skates
and skateboards were in use  during that period. We have no real idea
how many injuries  there were per thousand skaters in each category.
Therefore,  we have no way of figuring the rate of injuries to make
such  a comparison. 
        Rollerblades, however, do have some peculiar hazards all  their
own. The wheels are in a single line, so, like ice  skates, they
require balance and ankle strength to maneuver.  They're also fast.
In-line skaters can easily cruise at 10 to  17 miles per hour. Falls
and collisions at that speed can  break bones. In addition,
rollerbladers must become used to  using a heel brake and not the toe
brake found on  conventional roller skates. 
        The International In-Line Skating Association has  figures of
its own -- guesswork, really -- to show  rollerblading is actually no
more dangerous than similar  sports. The association estimates that
12.6 million Americans  enjoy in-line skating, and that the injury rate
is only a  fraction of 1 percent. Most injuries seem to occur among 
novice skaters, many of whom recover and go on skating. 
        The one thing these experts agree on in the importance  of
training and protection. Manufacturers and retailers often  conduct
classes for new skaters to teach them how to balance,  maneuver and
stop. They also teach rollerbladers how to share  streets and paths
safely with bike riders and pedestrians. 
        In-line skaters, from beginners to pros, should also  wear
protective gear, including helmets, knee and elbow  protectors, and
wrist guards. High-speed falls on hard  surfaces can cause permanent
injury, whether it happens from  a bicycle, a skateboard or
rollerblades. Some other safety  tips: 
        -- Never skate at night. 
        -- Never skate in traffic or on busy bike paths. 
        -- Leave the headphones at home. Anything that distracts  you
or interferes with your hearing or vision is a potential  hazard. 
        -- Pick a clean, smooth place to skate. Oil, dirt and  loose
sand can kick your wheels right out from under you. 
        Rollerblading is fast, fun and a good aerobic exercise.  But be
prepared. Don't skimp on good skates or protective  equipment. And
remember that in-line skates require special  skills that may take time
to perfect. 
        If you have questions or comments, please write to David 
Horowitz at 72662,1775. COPYRIGHT 1994 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.