Is there a correct way to fall from a skateboard or scooter?

Is there a correct way to fall from a skateboard or scooter?

Pat Hines (Traffic Safety Educator & Executive Director, SafeMoves) gives expert video advice on: How do most skateboarding injuries occur?; Is there a correct way to fall from a skateboard or scooter? and more...

The safest way to fall is to never fall obviously and the joke I always say always fall softly. Well that's impossible; children aren't stuntmen: they aren't trained to fall properly. There are things that you can remember: if you to fall off your skateboard, don't put your hands out because you are going to break your wrist- try to roll with it. This is something you can practice in the grass. Stand on your skateboard and practice falling off your skateboard by rolling. You almost want to do a somersault. You want to fall off your bike so you roll. You don't want to hit the ground suddenly, because that's when bones break. But again children aren't stuntmen. The best way is to make sure your child has the skills they need so they are not going to fall off. If a child is hit by a car, there is not a lot you can do to protect that child. They are not going to know how to roll off a car. That is not going to happen. Give them the basics like practicing in the grass. Get used to falling; Don't be afraid of falling; Try to avoid putting your arms out to break your fall. Break is the key operative word: You will break your arm; Try to roll with the fall and not stop it suddenly.