How effective are ski helmets for preventing injuries?

In general they will not decrease the risk of injury, but they can help decrease the severity.  One recent study from Sweden found that helmets for skiing helped reduce head injuries by 50 percent.  According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), “In all recent studies, helmeted skiers, who have sustained head injuries, have had better outcomes and had less temporary or permanent neurological loss/impairment than those not wearing the proper protective headgear.” For more information from the AAOS position statement on Winter Sports Safety and Helmet Use, visit www.aaos.org/about/papers/position/1152.asp