Extreme sports have gained huge mainstream popularity over the last few years.  No longer reserved for the fringe of the sporting world, participants, as well as the audience, have zeroed in on the heightened speeds, more daring heights, and greater risks for bodily harm that are in store for anyone exercising these sports.  Unlike the firmly established sports, such as soccer or baseball, the rules and goals of these activities are fluid and change whenever there are new breakthroughs in the manufacturing or design of the sporting equipment.  The goals are usually adjusted to push the sport and its participants to greater risks that are just within the very edge of the safety zone.  It is not surprising that so many young people enthusiastically embrace these kinds of activities much to the chagrin of their parents. Accidents very often lead to debilitating risks of limbs, and at times may even result in death.

Would you believe that some extreme sports have been around for decades? Mountain biking, skateboarding, mountain climbing and even surfing all fall under the umbrella of extreme sports.  Yet while these tried and true sports have long since entered the mainstream, for many younger sporting participants they are only a stepping stone to more daring and more dangerous exploits.  For these folks bungee jumping, elevator surfing, and whitewater kayaking are the new adrenaline chasers.

As with any sport, safety precautions must be taken to ensure that a participant will remain as healthy and unharmed as possible.  While many a skateboarder will gladly purchase the latest and greatest skateboard, it is quite apparent that he or she is not in such a rush to also purchase the latest and greatest safety equipment.  This error in judgment has caused many injuries, some of them even fatal.  Since skateboarding has become an accepted activity for children, it is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that adequate safety precautions are taken.  Here are some tips to remain safe in any extreme sport:

Learn from the experts.  No matter what sport you or your child will wish to participate in, be sure to take to a seasoned veteran of the sport.  He or she will be able to alert you to pitfalls, point out necessary gear, explain the advantages of some brands of gear over others, and also help you to pick out a good starter kit. 

Remember that you are mortal.  While it is tempting to immediately jump off the highest cliff just like the pros, remember that it took them a while to work their way up to this cliff.  Start small and work your way up to bigger, faster, more dangerous stunts.  Beginning skiers usually start on the bunny slope and work their way up to the black diamond run.  The same is true for any sport; yet extreme sports aficionados sometimes forget this tried and true rule in their enthusiasm to get started.

You get what you pay for.  Safety gear is not where you want to pinch pennies.  As a matter of fact, it should take up the lion’s share of your sports budget. While there may be flimsy imitations of safety gloves and goggles on the market, the odds are that they will wear through quickly and leave your skin exposed to harm.  The same is true for second hand gear that may be available for sale through the newspaper or at flea markets.  While you may be able to find some great bargains, be cautious that you do not buy someone else’s ineffectual discards.

Listen to your doctor.  If you do get inured, be sure to seek immediate medical attention and explain in detail what you were doing when you got hurt.  Your physician will be able to give you some tips on how to avoid getting hurt again.  Similarly, if she or he warns you against participating in certain activities in the future, you will be wise to listen.  After all, what good is it to hold the record for most daring BASE jump in your club for two weeks, if you will have a stiff leg for a lifetime?

As you can see, extreme sports also mean the risk for extreme harm.  Yet with a little bit of preparation and know-how, many injuries can be avoided.

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