Mr Trampoline.
Safety Tips
All trampoline companies like to claim that they have the safest product.
In fact, compared to sports like football the incident of injury on a
trampoline is beyond compare. Learning correct techniques and safety
practices will greatly reduce mishaps.
Five points to minimise risk
Dr H Edsel Buchanan, a three time NCAA Trampoline Champion,
recommends the following five points to minimise risk:
- Select a trampoline that adheres to safety standards and is made with
quality materials - Maintain the trampoline to good working order
- Use the trampoline at appropiate times
- Be a responsible parent / owner
- Seek guidance from a qualified trampoline instructor for correct
technique and progression to more challenging manoeuvres. You will find
this particually rewarding.
Further tips
These further safety tips suggest that logic and common sense can play
an important role.
- Take particular care to observe the weight limitations.
- Keep the area around the trampoline clear.
- Bare feet provide a better grip.
- Jump in the centre of the trampoline.
- Replace worn parts to avoid further wear which may result in sudden
breakage. - Teach a set of 'trampoline rules' to children with regard to their individual
age and ability. - Have a protective surface around your trampoline to cover springs and
framework.
Quality of materials more important than shape
Since the 1930’s trampolines have been rectangular in shape. In the late
1970’s non rectangular trampolines (circular) were introduced. Some
companies have claimed that because their trampoline is round it is safer.
It is simply untrue to state that shape alone offers maximum safety.
Independent research has shown that from a safety perpective the ‘G’
stress delivered on the back and neck during the bounce is less with
trampolines that deliver progressive stretching of the springs (rectangular
trampolines). The progressive stretching of the springs produce a deeper,
softer more controlled bounce. This is quite different to a round
trampolines. Also spring length and stretch range is a key factor in
delivering a safer more controlled bounce.
For the full article by Dr H Edsel Buchanan click here.
