European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 13, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Swing 70 gear the right stuff for the Tenderfoot by Effie Bathen staff writer glitzy jackets and High tech skis May be just the thing on the slopes at St. Moritz Switzerland. But the right stuff for a skiing Tenderfoot includes the basics according to the folks at the armed forces recreation Center at Chi Emsee Germany. Pride is what gets people Hurt says Ron Estrella who works at the sports equipment Issue Point in the Chi Emsee hotel. Most important is that the equipment fits Well and is matched to the skier s ability. Save the fancy duds for next season. Here Are some tips for the beginning downhill skier a boots should fit snugly. Most have fasteners screws or dials that adjust the fit across the base of the foot the ankle and the lower leg. When leaning Forward the heels should not come up much More than a Quarter of an Inch. Boots that Are too Loose will cause blisters. Those that Are too tight will Cut off circulation a causing danger of frostbite. Be sure to try on the boots with socks. Long Plain ones May be More comfortable when leaning your full weight Forward in the Boot. A bindings Are adjusted at the equipment Center according to ability and weight. After a few Days on the slopes if a beginner repeatedly flips out of the skis the bindings May need to be tightened a skis should stand about nose High when held on the floor in front of the skier. For the right sized poles hold the poles upside Down gripping them under the Bottom proper equipment and proper fit Are essential for Safe skiing. Ridge. Forearms should be parallel to the ground. A dress in layers. Beginning skiers get quite a workout trudging up the Bunny Hill before they learn to use a to bar lift and May want to shed their jackets. Try wearing Thermal underwear and a Cotton Turtleneck under bib Overall ski pants then a simple Wool sweater. That combination allows for breath ability and helps the skier avoid sweating which can Lead to getting chilled. Beginning skiers do quite a tumbling act so make sure you can move freely. A always Wear ski gloves to keep hands dry warm and protected. A Wear a hat or headband to keep head and ears warm. Sunglasses or goggles will protect eyes from Glare and ultraviolet rays. Use a sunscreen to protect skin against Sun and wind. A Don t mix alcohol and skiing. And if it s any Consolation says Estrella Quot usually intermediate skiers get Hurt. They ski More than their ability. It s hard for beginners to get Hurt because they take it step by  a Quot for people really scared of skiing we have skis with training wheels Quot Estrella add Good hum redly. Quot no. No that s just a  injuries with helmets the pole is too Long but this Young skier Georg Schober is wearing a helmet. By Sally Squires the Washington Post Steve Gratz an assistant principal and founder of the Safe skier Institute in suburban Philadelphia loves to watch his 12-year old son ski Down the Mountainside. But before Gratz allows his son on the slopes the boy must Wear one piece of equipment a ski helmet. Quot to s the single most important piece of equipment that a skier or Snow Boarder can own Quot Gratz said. Gratz who also dons a helmet when he skis became a convert four years ago after he watched his son crash head first into a pole. Quot it was wrapped in styrofoam so fortunately he did t get Hurt Quot Gratz said. Quot but it made me aware As a Parent of the importance of the  nearly 5 percent of All ski injuries to children involve the head according to the National head injury foundation. That translates to More than 5,000 youngsters a year who sustain head injuries some of them permanently disabling the foundation said. Many of these injuries could be prevented by wearing ski helmets according to experts. The helmets Are the latest addition to sports gear designed to Cushion the head from High Speed spills. Quot i take care of a lot of skiers Quot said David Thorson a family physician at min health sports care consultants in White Bear Lake Minn. Quot i recommend helmets to Young people who Are skiing not just racing the same Way that i recommend helmets for bicycling and in line skating a also known As rollerblading. The lightweight helmets which Cost about $60 to $100 each serve several purposes Thorson said. Not Only do they keep Heads warm and dry said Thorson a former ski racer who now coaches children s ski teams but they also Quot protect against the Impact from hitting Snow or another person and they protect against penetrating injuries from Trees and  Here s what experts recommend in buying ski helmets for children a look for helmets specifically made for skiing. Don t substitute hockey bicycle or snowmobile helmets since they Are designed to Cushion different types of Falls and May not provide enough Protection on the ski slope Thorson said. Quot we also recommend that parents Purchase helmets that meet european safey standards. Since we Don t have . Standards yet Quot he said. A get the suggest fit available. Helmets that move during a spill won t provide optimum Protection and in worst cases May even slip off during Impact. Also helmets that Are too big can throw off the Center of Gravity for a Small child. Because children s Heads Don t grow As fast As other parts of their bodies even snugly fitting helmets should last for two seasons experts said a make sure that ski helmets Don t obstruct peripheral vision and that they can accommodate goggles. Ski helmets should also be Cut somewhat High in the Back to give the Best mobility. A a buy helmets that have holes about the size of a  the ears. That size allows sound to enter but is Small enough not to Compromise warmth. 10 stripes Magazine january 13, 1994