Tubing – a dangerous pastime
Winter has arrived, bringing with it the long-awaited snow, and everyone is rushing to the hills to slide down on tubing.
What is tubing?
The term originates from the English word "tube" and refers to riding on inflatable sleds on snow or water. They are also affectionately called "vatrushkas," "bubliki," and toboggans. Tubing is excellent entertainment, both in winter and summer.
Recognized advantages of tubing sleds:
· the inner tube softens impacts during the descent;· handlesguarantee safety;
· pulling tubes uphill is easier than iron sleds;
· parts are attached with threads, not glue.
But! Tubing is one of the most DANGEROUS forms of recreation!!!
Despite all its advantages, tubing also has **disadvantages:
· toohigh descent speed;
· lack of brakes;
· inability to control the vehicle.
Since the beginning of winter, more than 200 children in the Republic of Belarus have sought medical attention due to injuries sustained while sledding on inflatable tubes, sleds, or other snow sliders. According to the Ministry of Health, 48 children with severe injuries have been admitted to the RNPCS of Neurology and Neurosurgery since the beginning of winter, and 17 children to the RNPCS of Traumatology and Orthopedics.
The Investigative Committee reported one of the latest cases of a child being injured while riding an inflatable tube on January 15. In Logoisk, an 8-year-old boy was sliding down a hill on an inflatable tube when the tube slipped out from under him, and the schoolboy rolled down the slope. The impact caused him to lose consciousness.consciousness and was hospitalized with severe traumatic brain injuries.
The higher the speed, the greater the impact force upon collision. If the slope is steep and the rider is heavy, the risk of injury increases severalfold. It is recommended to use children's tubes on low slopes without obstacles. It is also recommended to teach a child how to fall correctly; this skill is best taught in judo or sambo sports clubs.
Recently, tubing injuries have become the most common, with a significant proportion being spinal injuries. Typically, these are compression fractures. Children are particularly affected due to physiological differences. In childhood, bone tissue is not as dense as in adults, which can lead to hidden injuries that may subsequently result in spinal deformities that are difficult to correct and sometimes permanent. In the future, this can lead to limitations in choosing a profession, engaging in sports, etc. Important! A tube is an unsteerable sliding device without a steering wheel or brakes. It is impossible to predict its trajectory: during movement, it can rotate 360 degrees. When descending from a great height, a tube can reach speeds exceeding 50 km/h. A person on a "vatrushka" (tube) flying at high speed with no possibility to brake can be compared to a car with failed brakes.
Most tubing injuries occurdue to non-compliance with safety regulations.
RulesEach model has a maximum permissible weight indicated. Use tubes that are the correct size.
7. Pay attention to the age restrictions indicated in the instructions for sports equipment.
8. Do not let small children ride alone.
9. During the ride itself, it is recommended to hold onto the special straps located on the sides of the tube.
10. To avoid injuries, do not brake with your feet during the descent.
11. Upon completion of the descent, you should immediately leave the riding area. If you stop or fall, quickly get off the track – you will be hit!
12. If you inflated or topped up the tube in the cold, then when bringing it into a warm room or car interior, it is recommended to release some air from the chamber. If the "vatrushka" was overinflated with cold air, then in the warmth the air will begin to expand and the chamber may burst.
13. To avoid collision with a descending tube, ascend the hill at a safe distance from the descent path.
14. When engaging in winter sports, it is necessaryuse protective gear: elbow pads, knee pads, helmets.
How to choose a tubing sled.1. Consider the rider's height
Height up to 100 cm — tubing sled size up to 85 cm.
Height up to 140 cm — tubing sled size 95 cm.
Height up to 175 cm — tubing sled size 110 cm.
Height up to 200 cm — tubing sled size 125 cm.
Height over 200 cm — tubing sleds of 125 cm can also be used.
The legs should barely touch the ground, fitting within the designated 10 cm.
2. For young children, a tow rope (tow strap) approximately 1.5 meters long is mandatory. This will help parentsindependently regulate the speed of the inflatable product.
3. The method of attaching the rope to the body of the sled is also important. A strap attached to the handle will be more reliable. If the rope is sewn directly to the tube, it is important to ensure that the fastening point is sufficiently reinforced.
4. When choosing a suitable tube, special attention should be paid to the handles, their reliability and safety. It is undesirable for them to be sewn to the shell fabric. Such devices can easily tear off and cause injury to the child. The ideal option is handles cast entirely from PVC. The person sitting inside the inflatable sled should be able to reach them freely. This will allow them to hold on well while riding.
5. The upper part of the tubing is most often also made of PVC, however, for children under 6 years of age, it is advisable to choose sleds with a combined coating. These models are equipped with soft, non-slip fabric upholstery. This feature allows for a good grip when the device gains high speed.
6. It is recommended to choose products with zippers that close the camera openings. Lacing is not always practical, as it can come undone, and Velcro often gets clogged with snow.
Also, an important aspect is the care of the "tube":
wipe the tubing from condensation after each ride;
if you inflated the tube outdoors, release some air and only thenbring it into a car or a room. This is necessary to prevent it from bursting;
after the winter season ends, take the tube out of its cover and dry it at room temperature;
store the tubing in any dry place, avoiding high temperatures.
Be attentive and careful if you have chosen tubing as your entertainment! By observing these rules, you will protect your children and others from possible injuries and damages.
Assistant Hygienist
State Institution "Beshenkovichi Regional Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology" Rudko V.V.
What is tubing?
The term originates from the English word "tube" and refers to riding on inflatable sleds on snow or water. They are also affectionately called "vatrushkas," "bubliki," and toboggans. Tubing is excellent entertainment, both in winter and summer.
Recognized advantages of tubing sleds:
· the inner tube softens impacts during the descent;· handlesguarantee safety;
· pulling tubes uphill is easier than iron sleds;
· parts are attached with threads, not glue.
But! Tubing is one of the most DANGEROUS forms of recreation!!!
Despite all its advantages, tubing also has **disadvantages:
· toohigh descent speed;
· lack of brakes;
· inability to control the vehicle.
Since the beginning of winter, more than 200 children in the Republic of Belarus have sought medical attention due to injuries sustained while sledding on inflatable tubes, sleds, or other snow sliders. According to the Ministry of Health, 48 children with severe injuries have been admitted to the RNPCS of Neurology and Neurosurgery since the beginning of winter, and 17 children to the RNPCS of Traumatology and Orthopedics.
The Investigative Committee reported one of the latest cases of a child being injured while riding an inflatable tube on January 15. In Logoisk, an 8-year-old boy was sliding down a hill on an inflatable tube when the tube slipped out from under him, and the schoolboy rolled down the slope. The impact caused him to lose consciousness.consciousness and was hospitalized with severe traumatic brain injuries.
The higher the speed, the greater the impact force upon collision. If the slope is steep and the rider is heavy, the risk of injury increases severalfold. It is recommended to use children's tubes on low slopes without obstacles. It is also recommended to teach a child how to fall correctly; this skill is best taught in judo or sambo sports clubs.
Recently, tubing injuries have become the most common, with a significant proportion being spinal injuries. Typically, these are compression fractures. Children are particularly affected due to physiological differences. In childhood, bone tissue is not as dense as in adults, which can lead to hidden injuries that may subsequently result in spinal deformities that are difficult to correct and sometimes permanent. In the future, this can lead to limitations in choosing a profession, engaging in sports, etc. Important! A tube is an unsteerable sliding device without a steering wheel or brakes. It is impossible to predict its trajectory: during movement, it can rotate 360 degrees. When descending from a great height, a tube can reach speeds exceeding 50 km/h. A person on a "vatrushka" (tube) flying at high speed with no possibility to brake can be compared to a car with failed brakes.
Most tubing injuries occurdue to non-compliance with safety regulations.
RulesEach model has a maximum permissible weight indicated. Use tubes that are the correct size.
7. Pay attention to the age restrictions indicated in the instructions for sports equipment.
8. Do not let small children ride alone.
9. During the ride itself, it is recommended to hold onto the special straps located on the sides of the tube.
10. To avoid injuries, do not brake with your feet during the descent.
11. Upon completion of the descent, you should immediately leave the riding area. If you stop or fall, quickly get off the track – you will be hit!
12. If you inflated or topped up the tube in the cold, then when bringing it into a warm room or car interior, it is recommended to release some air from the chamber. If the "vatrushka" was overinflated with cold air, then in the warmth the air will begin to expand and the chamber may burst.
13. To avoid collision with a descending tube, ascend the hill at a safe distance from the descent path.
14. When engaging in winter sports, it is necessaryuse protective gear: elbow pads, knee pads, helmets.
How to choose a tubing sled.1. Consider the rider's height
Height up to 100 cm — tubing sled size up to 85 cm.
Height up to 140 cm — tubing sled size 95 cm.
Height up to 175 cm — tubing sled size 110 cm.
Height up to 200 cm — tubing sled size 125 cm.
Height over 200 cm — tubing sleds of 125 cm can also be used.
The legs should barely touch the ground, fitting within the designated 10 cm.
2. For young children, a tow rope (tow strap) approximately 1.5 meters long is mandatory. This will help parentsindependently regulate the speed of the inflatable product.
3. The method of attaching the rope to the body of the sled is also important. A strap attached to the handle will be more reliable. If the rope is sewn directly to the tube, it is important to ensure that the fastening point is sufficiently reinforced.
4. When choosing a suitable tube, special attention should be paid to the handles, their reliability and safety. It is undesirable for them to be sewn to the shell fabric. Such devices can easily tear off and cause injury to the child. The ideal option is handles cast entirely from PVC. The person sitting inside the inflatable sled should be able to reach them freely. This will allow them to hold on well while riding.
5. The upper part of the tubing is most often also made of PVC, however, for children under 6 years of age, it is advisable to choose sleds with a combined coating. These models are equipped with soft, non-slip fabric upholstery. This feature allows for a good grip when the device gains high speed.
6. It is recommended to choose products with zippers that close the camera openings. Lacing is not always practical, as it can come undone, and Velcro often gets clogged with snow.
Also, an important aspect is the care of the "tube":
wipe the tubing from condensation after each ride;
if you inflated the tube outdoors, release some air and only thenbring it into a car or a room. This is necessary to prevent it from bursting;
after the winter season ends, take the tube out of its cover and dry it at room temperature;
store the tubing in any dry place, avoiding high temperatures.
Be attentive and careful if you have chosen tubing as your entertainment! By observing these rules, you will protect your children and others from possible injuries and damages.
Assistant Hygienist
State Institution "Beshenkovichi Regional Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology" Rudko V.V.