Have been an emergency room registered nurse for 17 years, and this past year I enjoyed being the Safety Director for NWSCC. We focused our program very heavily on preventative injuries, specifically knee injuries. .

Preventative injuries

18-minute video, "Knee Injury Awareness,"

The November meeting was our first annual "Safety Night." Special guest speakers were Cascade Ski Club members (and part time Mt. Hood Meadows ski instructors) Don Schuster and Pat Caudell. Don and Pat presented an 18-minute video, "Knee Injury Awareness," displaying not only the most common situations that may result in "ACL" injuries, but also what skiers can do to help reduce the risk of injury.

The following six situations are the most common contributors to an ACL injury. During an off balance situation, danger signs are:

• (1) uphill arm back;

• (2) off balance to the rear;

• (3) hips below the knees;

• (4) uphill ski unweighted;

• (5) all body weight on inside edge of downhill ski tail; and

• (6) upper body generally facing downhill ski. The more of these factors in play, the stronger the risk of an ACL injury.

six situations are the most common contributors to an ACL injury

responses may help reduce, and possibly prevent, the risk of injury

When in any of the above situations, the following responses may help reduce, and possibly prevent, the risk of injury:

• (1) keep arms forward;

• (2) keep skis together; and

• (3) keep hands over skis.

When falling is inevitable, or the safest way out of a precarious situation, you can reduce the risk of injury by doing the following:

• (1) keep knees flexed while in motion (do not straighten legs);

• (2) do not attempt to stand up until completely stopped; and (

• 3) avoid landing on your hands - keep hands and arms forward.

Don and Pat emphasized additional keys to helping reduce the risk of injury:

• (1) maintain and check your ski bindings and settings (check whenever your skis are tuned);

• (2) maintain a forward balance, keeping your arms forward;

• (3) maintain a strong and stable stance, helping to avoid off balance situations; and

(4) do not land on your hands and arms during a fall.

reduce the risk of injury

Skiyente, which set a record of four knee surgeries among its member

Don and Pat took their safety show "on the road," making presentations at several ski club meetings this past year. (Next year there may be a repeat performance for Skiyente, which set a record of four knee surgeries among its members).

The untimely passing of our friend Pat Caudell makes this year's efforts very special to me. All of his laughter, energy and sheer love of the sport was evident in all that he gave to us. The show will still go on, and the video presentation may be arranged for your club meetings by contacting the NWSCC Safety Director, this year Jodie Dierickx, slalom_2@yahoo.com

The untimely passing of our friend Pat Caudell