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- $Unique_ID{BRK02088}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Recommended Safety Precautions for In-Line Skaters}
- $Subject{in line skates skate injuries injury prevention road burn abrasion}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Recommended Safety Precautions for In-Line Skaters
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- QUESTION: My son has finally won the ongoing discussion and now is the proud
- owner of a pair of those new in line skates. He bought them with money he
- earned himself, and it was hard to say "no". Now what has an anxious mother
- to look forward to? I know injuries are probably inevitable, but is there
- anything I can do to prevent them? Please answer this question for all the
- anxious Moms with the same problem.
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- ANSWER: There must be many such mothers, for I recently learned that the
- annual sales of in-line skates exceeds $53 million. And you are right, these
- skates are tricky, and it takes a bit of practice to learn how to use them
- correctly. The most common injury is "road burn", that occurs when the skin
- meets the road. This abrasion can be quite serious, even requiring more than
- the first aid you will soon become expert in, but there is much that can be
- done to prevent the injuries from becoming too serious. Part of it requires
- proper clothing, like full jeans or sweat pants, and clothing that covers the
- arms if possible. The rest requires proper safety gear. Your son may have to
- go back to work, but as I see it he needs a helmet, gloves, shin pads, elbow
- pads and knee pads, possibly wrist guards as well, if he is going to be
- properly attired for what must be considered a high-risk sport. Your job will
- be to make sure that all this gear is in place if you wish to prevent some of
- the injuries you fear. And caution him that even the so called "pros" can
- fall as well, and using this equipment will save his skin in the long run.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-