CHAPTER 7:SIT- SKI
General
A Sit -Ski is used mainly by people with limited use (or absence) of their lower
extremities. A sit-ski, consists of a molded seat (bucket) mounted on a metal
frame. The bucket is roughly equivalent to a standup skiers boot. A shock absorber
beneath the seat eases riding on uneven terrain and helps in turning by
maximizing ski-snow contact. A metal or plastic block clicks into the ski's
binding. A sit-skier uses outriggers for stability; an outrigger resembles a short
forearm crutch with a short ski on the bottom. The Sit-ski is designed to allow a
person to ski independently and the student must have excellent balance to be
successful.
Student Assessment
If this is a returning skier, Check the Student Progress Card and amend the
information as required.
A fundamental key to a successful lesson is thorough evaluation and
assessment and it should begin as soon as you meet the student.
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Visual assessment
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If the student walks, does he or she use a cane, crutches or walker.
Does the student wear prosthesis.
What type of wheelchair is used, electric, one with a headrest or side bars
or a sports chair. Is there an inflatable cushion.
Does the student look well balance and self sufficient.
Physical and Disability Assessment
Strength;
Have the student transfer from their chair to a bench, offer you a firm
handshake, press against their outstretched arms and observe the
amount of resistance.
Balance;
Can student perform a wheely in their chair, spread arms and tilt torso
from side to side.
Coordination;
observe the student performing tasks you ask them to complete
Have skier grip and operate an outrigger.
Flexibility and Range of Motion;
Tilt head form side to side and for and aft
Swing arms in large circles
Rotate upper body from side to side and bend forward and back
Pick up a glove off the floor
Can student bend their knees to a 90 degree angle
Vision and Hearing; does the student have issues with either of these senses.
Hearing aids/glasses.
***Autonomic Dysreflexia.
- Has the skier experienced AD and do they recognize the signs.
All instructors should be aware of the causes, symptoms and steps to
take if AD should occur.
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Finally, establish a rapport with the student while acquiring further information;
What is your specific disability, is it an acquired injury.
Is your injury complete or incomplete
Do you wear a catheter or have other devices such as support rods in
the spine- do you suffer from pressure spots
Have you had recent surgery
Have you skied before.
Are you excited to ski, what are your expectations from this lesson.
Equipment and Setup
The Bucket
The seat should be snug and comfortable. Choose a ski that has a bucket best
suited for the student.
A more up-right, comfortable seat — good for almost all mono-skiers A more
angled, athletic seat — better for skiers with more control of their body.
Adjust straps so that there is no movement inside the bucket. Think of it as the
equivalent to a ski boot. It needs to be tight, but not painful.
Choose a bucket liner L,M,S which will reduce the amount of padding required.
When tightening straps, watch out for leg bags and sensitive areas. In general,
strapping should be as low as possible, allowing fore/aft and rotary movement
of the torso. Ensure there is sufficient padding between the knees.
Continuously check the straps to make sure they are snug, especially
after a fall. Remove any snow that accumulates in the bucket after a fall as well.
Be careful not to limit flexibility and mobility however. The point is to use
what the skier has available, and compensate for anything that is not available.
The Foot Tray
The foot tray provides a platform to secure and protect the lower legs and feet.
It should be adjusted to allow for bent knees and an athletic position. The knees
should be bent enough to help the student move forward and backward easily.
A higher -level injury may require the knees to be bent more to keep the
student’s body from moving too far forward.
Outriggers
The outriggers can be adjusted for length, brake and cuff height and they assist
in balance, steering and are a mechanism for moving around on flat terrain. In
the crutch position, outriggers are used when maneuvering the ski in a static
position, such as pushing on the flats and loading a chairlift.
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For beginners, outriggers can be a little longer to provide a more stable plat
form. Initially the outriggers should be adjusted so that when the skier is in an
athletic sitting position with the elbows bent and relaxed the ski lies flat on the
snow and the tip is positioned between the feet and knees. As skiers become
more advanced, the out riggers are used less and less on the snow, although
be sure they are long enough for the skier to push up onto a chairlift in the
loading position.
Adjusting the brake — For beginners, allow for more braking, but not so much
that the skier can’t glide without braking. As the skier advances to more difficult
terrain, less brake is needed.
Suspension – the strut on the sit-ski is adjustable. Ensure it is adjusted to
provide a smooth ride dependent on the skier’s weight.
Dowel Test
Perform a dowel test when setting up a student in the sit-ski This ensures that
the person’s center of mass is balanced near the center of the ski. This will
allow skier to pressure the ski tip.
Inspection of Gear
Ensure all associated equipment for selected sit-ski and outriggers are secure
and serviceable prior to Introduction Lesson.
Tools
Sit-ski, tether, out riggers, wooden dowel
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Lesson One – Introduction to Equipment
Terrain: to be completed indoors.
Skill Development: stance and balance
Teaching Tips, Drills and Exercises:
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Introduce the equipment before loading the skier into the ski. Explain
functional aspects and safety features.
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Demonstrate the loading mechanism
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Demonstrate the functions and use of the outriggers
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Transfer skier to -ski adjust straps/padding and explain importance of a
snug fit
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Show use of outriggers: walking/.ski position. Practice.
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teach appropriate body position — neutral athletic stance: outriggers next
to heel of boot, hands relaxed, elbows bent and by hips, shoulders
relaxed, head up and centered, eyes forward. (Photo)
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Head should always remain centered over the torso. Nose over your
navel.
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Dowel test the ski and take time to set up equipment properly.
Remember...independence is the goal. Explain what to do, and help the
student as necessary, but allow the student to do as much as possible from the
very beginning. Allow the student to do as much of the loading and adjustments
as they can.
Exercises
Have student transfer to the ski and demonstrate how straps work.
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Experiment with balance: slowly rock forward and back, rotate torso, head
and shoulders with outriggers on the ground and in the air.
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Demonstrate the appropriate body position and balance.
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Demonstrate use of outriggers. Have student practice switching
outriggers from crutch to skiing position.
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Explain and demonstrate the loading mechanism. Practice.
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Tips:
- Ensure the student is dressed appropriately for conditions. Many will have
no feeling in their lower extremities. Dress warm but comfortably.
- Make sure student has used the washroom prior to departure for the
slopes.
Tools
- wooden dowel, wrenches, padding, extra strapping
Lesson Two – Moving on Flat Terrain
Terrain: Relatively flat terrain in a safe area away from traffic.
Skill Development: Stance and Balance
Teaching Drills, Tips and Exercises:
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Re-enforce correct body position
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Work on balance ,exercise body rotation, move for and aft with outriggers
on the snow and progress to raising riggers off the ground
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Push around using the outriggers in crutch position and in -skiing position.
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Lift the ski off the ground using the outriggers in crutch position.
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Star turns: turning the ski in a circle while lifting the ski off the ground
using outriggers in crutch position.
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demonstrate the use of the outriggers to stop.
Tips :
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Avoid leaning to ensure skier is pivoting on a flat ski
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Always teach from in front of the student
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Have the skier do as much of the work as possible, but be careful not to
wear them out too soon.
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if skier continues to have balance problems, check that the ski is balanced
and set up correctly. The hips must be square.
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Make sure the straps are positioned correctly to provide support where
necessary but still allowing the skier to move as much as possible
-
try to avoid excessive bucket assisting (holding on to the back of the seat
to provide balance)
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Lesson Three – Straight Run, Braking, Fall Recovery
Terrain: Slight increase in pitch. Find an area which has a run out at the bottom
to provide a natural stop. Try to use the upper Carpet.
Skill Development:
Balance, edge control, pressure control
Teaching Tips, Drills and Exercises
- Stress body position and ensure equal pressure is applied to both
outriggers
- Align student facing directly down the fall line. He may need assistance to
get into position. Brace with the riggers in crutch position
- On command, student puts riggers in ski position and skis straight ahead
to a natural stop. Repeat as required.
- Skier repeats the straight run procedure but attempts to stop by lowering
elbows and driving the hand down and forward to initiates a stop using the
heels of the outriggers
- Practice speed control using the outriggers. Brake and release.
- Raise outriggers off the snow during straight runs. Balance.
- Explain the technique, demonstrating the use of riggers in assisting a
skier to right the sit-ski. This may be difficult for many students. Don’t over
exert them.
Tips:
- Keep both outriggers on the snow. This will prevent leaning
- Instructors should take their skis off during this lesson
Tools:
- If speed control or safety is an issue, a single tether can be used. It
should be placed low on the bucket and not be used for directional
control.
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Lesson Four - Beginning Wedge Turn
Terrain:
- pitch should allow for increased but consistent speed and have a simple
fall line. Work your way toward the bottom of upper Carpet or the Green
Face
Skill Development:
Pressure, edging, balance, pivoting
Teaching Tips, Drills, and Exercises:
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In straight run, have the student turn his head and shoulders (point the
chin) in the direction of the turn. Ensure his/her torso is rotating and not
leaning.
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Place inside outrigger on slight edge to create friction
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Skier should be maintaining a flat ski and perform skidded turns
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Continue the turn in one direction and come to a stop
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repeat in opposite direction
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Add slight changes of direction to the straight run to introduce turning.
Gradually increase size of turn. Turn in each direction to a stop, using
outrigger braking if needed.
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Lean forward slightly ( pressure the ski tip) to initiate turn and move back
to neutral to finish the turn
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Mileage! Goal would be to begin linking turns.
Future picture
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Tips:
Ski in front of student in a reverse wedge and have him follow your tracks.
Vary the size of the turns.
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Watch the outriggers, too much pressure could be balance problems
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Make sure the student is looking up and not focused on the tip of the sitski
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The outside outrigger should remain forward and not fall back past the
thigh
- Emphasize turn shape to control speed
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Body position, body position!
Tools:
- Single safety tether if required.
Lesson Five – Wedge turn Equivalent
Terrain:
Your choice of terrain will be dependent on the progress and ability
of your student. Green/Blue
Skill Development:
Balance at higher speed, edge control, pressure control
Teaching, Tips, Drills and Exercises:
- Mileage! Practice variety of turns and use terrain for turning
- Practice traversing
- Introduce “opening the door” concept
- Point the down hill rigger down the fall line and extend the arm to
initiate the turn
- Introduce edge control by matching outriggers while traversing the
fall line
- Use Christie fan progressions, Falling Leaf, Side Slipping
exercises to improve turns and build confidence. Speed will now
be increasing
- Work on speed control
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Tips:
- At this point body position often starts to be a little ragged. Watch that the
body remains centered and that the weight is forward at the start of the
turn and moves back at the end.
- Forward Side Slipping is an excellent exercise for balance, and
transferring from flat ski to an edge and back
Tools:
Long tether if required
Loading on Magic Carpet and Chairlifts
Safety is paramount is loading and unloading of lifts. Ensure your student and
your assistant are fully aware of the procedure. Do your briefing before you get
into the line up.
Magic Carpet:
- review procedure with skier and assistant
- one instructor will remove skies and assist the skier into position, the
second will carry the extra skis up the carpet
- let liftie know what you require at the bottom and top. Full stop/slow and if
you require assistance.
- Assist student on to carpet and support from behind
- Skier can assist by placing outriggers on the belt to provide balance
Chairlift:
- Load through the shortcut
- Brief skier and assistant, establish who will count for the lift
- Place safety strap/carabineer over the skiers shoulder
- Raise the ski to the loading position if it is so equipped
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- Communicate with liftie and state requirement; full stop or slow for bottom
and top ,and that you require a pullback to load
- Ski into position, load and immediately connect the safety strap while
second instructor lowers the bar
- At the top, remove the safety strap. Raise the bar, have the student put
riggers in ski position, and lean forward for the unload
Emergency Evacuations:
- follow the directions from the Ski Patrol
- do not raise bar until evacuation harness has been attached to the belay
line
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