Trauma Experts from Intermountain Health and Lone Peak Fire Offer Safety Tips to Keep Winter Fun

Jan 30, 2024

Intermountain Health trauma experts and Lone Peak Fire Department team up to give reminders keep sledding safe and fun this winter

(PRUnderground) January 30th, 2024

Fresh snow and winter weather means activities like sledding, but with these activities often comes injuries and an increase in trips to the hospital emergency room.

In an effort to reduce winter sledding accidents, Intermountain American Fork Hospital trauma caregivers and the Lone Peak Fire Department joined recently to raise awareness about sledding safely.

Experts from the organizations demonstrated safety measures, gave out helmets, safety information, hot chocolate, bottled water, and sunscreen at Tibble Fork Reservoir, a popular sledding area in American Fork Canyon in Utah.

According to the latest Consumer Product Safety Commission report on winter safety, 12,470 people were treated in emergency departments nationwide last year for sledding-related injuries alone. Common sledding injuries include sprains, strains, dislocations, fractures, and head-related injuries. Experts say helmets are a key line of defense when it comes to preventing serious head injuries.

“Studies have found that increased helmet usage rate has led to a decline in the number of serious head injuries,” said John Wennergren, MD, trauma director for Intermountain American Fork Hospital. “However, a helmet doesn’t protect your head if it’s not worn and secured.”

Mckyliee Young, 20, knows first-hand the dangers of sledding.

On Dec. 16, 2022, Young found herself at Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, Utah, after she hit her head while sledding with friends.

Young says the tube she was riding in flipped backwards and ended up crashing into two metal poles at the bottom of the hill, fracturing her spine and skull and breaking 21 ribs, her scapula, and collarbone. She had brain surgery – and most recently hand surgery. She has had a long road to recovery and is grateful her injuries were not worse, but has a message for other sledders.

“Take sledding seriously. It’s not just a kid activity,” said Young.

Dr. Wennergren agrees.

“Sledding and skiing is just like driving a vehicle,” said Dr. Wennergren. “You want to be aware of the slopes and the surroundings, as well as others around you. We see a lot of sledder vs sledder accidents at American Fork Hospital.”

Intermountain Health trauma experts offer these other tips to keep in mind while having fun in the snow:

Ride forward, and feet first or while sitting up, to help prevent head injuries.
Separate young children from older children and one person per sled.
Wear a ski or snow helmet.
Ensure the slope is free of obstructions like trees or fences, is covered in snow (not ice), is not too steep and ends with a flat runoff.
Keep sledders away from motor vehicles.

Since head injuries are some of the most serious types of injuries, it’s important to know the signs of a head and brain injury. Common brain injury symptoms include:

Blurred vision
Headache
Slurred speech
Dizziness
Vomiting
Temporary loss of consciousness
Confusion
Swelling

If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or someone in your group, get help immediately.

Also don’t refuse medical attention, even if you think you feel fine. After a brain injury, it’s important to be evaluated as soon as possible by medical personnel.

About Intermountain Health

Headquartered in Utah with locations in seven states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 3,900 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For more information or updates, see https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.

The post Trauma Experts from Intermountain Health and Lone Peak Fire Offer Safety Tips to Keep Winter Fun first appeared on

Press Contact

Name: Erin Goff Phone: 385.275.8245 Email: Contact Us

Original Press Release.

Tots Carlos sees silver lining in Creamline defeat vs. Choco Mucho

MANILA, Philippines — Not all is lost for Tots Carlos, even after Creamline ended its seven-game winning streak over sister team Choco Mucho. As the more accomplished sister team with 11 Premier Volleyball League titles, Creamline holds a commanding 19-2 all-time record over Choco Mucho. The Cool Smashers needed to win over the Flying Titans to bolster their twice-to-beat advantage bid in the semifinals of the 2026-27 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference-Siklab Series. But the defeat led them to fall to a 4-2 win-loss record, tied with the Farm Fresh Foxies, trailing behind semis-bound Nxled (5-0). Carlos, the league’s three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) shared that despite what was at stake with the loss, Creamline’s rhythm showed. “I think the team’s progress is showing; we’re starting to find our rhythm. Honestly, we’re happy with how we played. Of course it’s still a loss, but at the same time, our rhythm is getting better, and everyone really contributed,” Carlos, who made 13 points in a five-set heartache over Choco Mucho said in Filipino. With Choco Mucho holding a 2-1 set advantage, Creamline forced a decider. Both teams exchanged blows in the fifth frame, but Choco Mucho Eya Laure proved to be handy in the clutch, as she led the team to a match-point advantage, 14-11. Knowing how Creamline can dig deep despite on deficit, Carlos scored back-to-back points in attempt to force a deuce in the match, 14-13. But Caitlin Viray slammed an off-the-block hit to avoid an equalizer, allowing Choco Mucho to escape with a victory, 15-13. Recalling this exchange in the deciding frame, Carlos said that there’s nothing much to say as Choco Mucho played better. “I think we have to give credit to Choco Mucho, their coaches, and their staff—they prepared well for us. I’d say that was pure effort and heart from them.” “They fought hard, and it just so happened that we came up short. But all their effort was there. They never stopped fighting, even on balls that were already far away. They just didn’t give up. I think Choco Mucho played a great game today.”