How To Be Safe When Enjoying Extreme Sports

Extreme sports are some of the very best ways to get fit, to feel that burst of adrenalin that we all love so much, and to have a fun, exciting life. However, the very nature of these sports means that they can, when care is not taken, be dangerous. They take place at high altitudes or fast speeds, or they require a lot of dexterity or concentration. Unless you know how to really take care of yourself and be safe when you are taking part in extreme sport, then they can certainly cause injury – or worse.

The good news is that being careful is not tricky, and it doesn’t require any hardship. Everyone can do it, and everyone must do it. Here are some of the easiest and best ways to ensure that you keep safe when enjoying your favorite extreme sport.

Wear The Right Gear

You can’t (usually) just turn up and take part in an extreme sport without the right clothing and equipment. Some of it you will be able to hire from the extreme sports center you are going to, and that’s ideal for those who are trying out a sport for the first time, or whose budget is a little limited.

Remember that protective clothing is more than merely looking the part (although, wearing the right clothes will give you something of a psychological boost, helping you to feel more confident about what you are doing). They are designed to protect the most vulnerable areas of your body, in particular, your head, neck, and joints. You may need to wear helmets, padding, harnesses, compression socks, and a variety of other important pieces of protective clothing.

In some cases, you may not even be able to take part unless you are wearing the right gear, and that’s a good thing. If there is a chance you could be hurt, or worse, then it is not worth the risk.

Warm Up

Warming up before doing any kind of exercise is one of the most important things you can do, whether you are taking part in a ‘standard’ sport or an extreme one. Even if you are riding a motorcycle, or doing something else that might not seem that physically demanding, you will potentially be using muscles that you don’t regularly use, and this will mean they can be more easily hurt and strained. Plus, without the proper warming up and stretching exercises, you will ache a lot more the next day, and in extreme cases, you might have to stay in bed, losing a day of work or fun.

A warm-up doesn’t just help to get your muscles ready for being used more strenuously; it also raises your body temperature up so that once you do start working out and moving around more, it won’t be such a shock to the system. Getting too hot too quickly can be bad for you and make you feel unwell due to rising blood pressure. If you do it in stages, including a warm up, you won’t feel the adverse effects.

Start Slow

Extreme sports are hugely exciting, and we know it can be totally tempting to rush right in and get carried away. The problem is that just because you feel you can do something, and maybe you’ve seen someone else do it (a great skateboard trick, for example, or some amazing skiing skills) that doesn’t mean it will be possible right at the start. Very few people have an innate ability to do anything extreme, and it takes a lot of practice to get to a stage where you can do some of the bigger stunts without getting hurt.

It’s far better to start small, a little at a time, and work up to the bigger things as you go along. This will keep you (and those around you) safe, and it will also mean that you persevere. If you tried to do too much at the start, you might quickly become disenchanted with the idea because you don’t seem to be getting anywhere. If you start slowly and work towards a goal, you will more easily be able to see the progress you’re making which will help to keep you moving forward.

Be In A Group

There is so much fun to be had from extreme sports, and part of that fun is that you can experience it with others, even if the actual pursuit you are enjoying is something that is done individually. Not only is sharing your hobby with other people fun because you get to meet new friends and can really have a great discussion about something that you love, but in terms of safety it’s the best thing you can do. Partaking in any kind of extreme sport entirely on your own with no backup to help you should you get into trouble, and no one there to ensure you are doing the right thing is dangerous. Even if that person doesn’t actually want to practice the sport you are doing, just having someone there is a good idea. The larger the group, the safer it is, which is why being alone should be avoided at all costs.

If you really can’t take anyone with you, then you must at least let someone know where you are, and make a schedule to check in with them. If you don’t get in touch with them on time, they can then raise the alarm. It’s far better to be safe than sorry, especially when extreme sports are concerned.

Learn What To Do

You might think that certainly, some extreme sports don’t need to be taught; as long as you have the right equipment and you watch some YouTube videos, for example, you may believe that you are qualified to go ahead. However, even the most seemingly simple of extreme sports requires some knowledge before you can enjoy them safely. This is why it is essential to join a professional group or speak to an expert before you begin. You will be taught exactly what to do if you want to enjoy yourself safely, and you will be able to see what can be achieved too, giving you the inspiration to keep going when things get tough.