The death of movie and Broadway star Natasha Richardson, the 1997 death of Robert Kennedy's son Michael in 1997, and the 1998 death of Senator and one time television star and singer Sonny Bono as a result of skiing accidents highlights and illustrates the dangers of both hidden and obvious injuries that can result in paralysis or death.
The cause of Natasha Richardson's death, according to the autopsy report, was an epidural hematoma.
Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the New York City medical examiner's office, stated that an epidural hematoma causes bleeding between the skull and the lining of the brain.
Doctors also reported that if Ms.
Richardson had sought or agreed to medical attention immediately following the accident, there is a high probability that she would have lived.
Sadly, most head injuries are caused by failure to wear the proper protective gear, whether the victims are skiing, riding a bicycle, riding a motorcycle, or engaging in other higher risk activities.
Ms.
Richardson was not wearing a helmet.
Protective gear for skiers is available in a variety of colors, styles, and designs, so that skiers and persons engaging in other activities do not have to give anything up in the way of being fashionable and comfortable.
Goggles are also available in a variety of colors and styles.
Safety should always come first.
Since symptoms are often not immediately noticeable following a fall or other accident, it is imperative for anyone suffering a fall on the ski slopes, regardless of their level of expertise, to immediately seek first aid advice and an examination on-site at the resort's first aid or emergency center.
This way, a person with a suspected traumatic brain injury can be flown or driven by ambulance to the nearest hospital and can be closely monitored on the trip.
Unfortunately, Natasha Richardson turned down medical attention since she felt fine and had no apparent injuries.
Approximately one hour later, according to various reports, Ms.
Richardson developed a headache and was later taken to a hospital where she later passed away.
When a person falls or receives a blow to the head, the brain may bounce within the cavity of the skull and may cause shearing or tearing of the blood vessels surrounding the brain and Dura.
According to the University of Missouri Health Care website, when the blood vessels tear, blood accumulates within the space between the Dura and the skull.
This is known as an epidural hematoma (epi-door-ul hem-a-to-ma), or blood clot at the covering of the brain.
It is equally important for skiers to take other safety precautions that will help lessen the risk of accidental falls or hitting trees and other skiers, etc.
Keeping track of the weather and changing snow and slope conditions throughout the day, sticking to skiing on slopes that equal a skier's level of expertise, following resort and slope rules, and knowing where emergency services at the resort are located is imperative.
A skier, no matter what their age, their level of expertise, or any medical training they may have had, should immediately seek medical attention after any fall, no matter how minor the fall seems.
In the case of Michael Kennedy's death CNN - Coroner: Kennedy death accidental - January 1, 1998 reported that, in addition to not wearing a helmet, the family had been playing a form of ski football, and had been warned of the dangers of this sport by a ski patrol earlier in the day.