Persönliche Schutzausrüstung im Schneesport – Erhebung ... - BfU

Zusammenfassung / Résumé / Riassunto / Abstract 117
4.4.1 Factors affecting wearing or non-wearing
A multiple logistical regression analysis identified the following variables as significant in the
probability of helmet wearing:
Demographic variables
Age and sex: age and sex are important predictors for helmet wearing: young skiers and snow-
boarders wear a helmet far more often than older people, men far more often than women. In fact
snowboarders use helmets more frequently than skiers but the type of sport is not a significant predictor.
Thus in the random samples, age and sex have a decisive effect on the variation in helmetwearing
quotas for both skiing and snowboarding
Ability-related variables
Level of skill: experienced skiers and snowboarders wear helmets far more often than beginners or
experts.
Training: snow sportsmen and women who have already attended a skiing or snowboarding course
protect themselves far more often than those without relevant training.
Motives: those interested in improving their technical skills wear a helmet far more frequently than
those lacking this motivation.
Accident-related variables
Injury experience: personal experience of an injury as a result of a snow-sport accident leads to
more frequent use of a helmet.
Fear of injury: it is plausible that most people practising snow-sport state that they wear a helmet as
protection against injury. The most frequent reason given for non-wearing is that no helmet is
needed as no risks are taken.
Attitude variables
The attitude towards the features of a helmet is by far the most important factor influencing the
probability of a helmet being worn.
Wearer comfort: rating of wearer comfort is an especially important factor. Non-wearers are convinced
that a helmet must be very uncomfortable whereas the majority of wearers are satisfied with
wearer comfort.
Unnecessary: the attitude of a not needing a helmet because of being careful while engaged in the
sport is deeply rooted in a large section of skiers and snowboarders.
Feeling of freedom: helmet wearers do not feel that their freedom is restricted. Non-wearers however
assume that a helmet would restrict the feeling of freedom.