Ski Safe

This season marks the most unstable snowpack in 15 years meaning that even the most experienced and qualified of guides are gambling when it comes to taking both themselves, and their clients, outside the safety zones. The desire for individuals to explore the sensational and unrivalled delights of the backcountry is prolific yet this season, when over 20 skiers and snowboarders have already died in Europe, it is time to really consider whether making fresh tracks this season is worth the risk of never being able to make them again. It is not just naïve amateurs who are becoming victims to unforgiving avalanches; three of the victims were completing an intensive technical course with a highly recommended guide in Switzerland when they swept to their deaths. What they were learning? Avalanche safety.

The cruel irony of this situation as just one example goes to show the unpredictability of the mountains and their tragic ability to snatch lives away in an instant. Even those equipped with all the safety gear are still at risk; ABS airbags are designed to deploy and pull you out of an avalanche when you pull the release but even these are only effective in a very exact moment of crisis. If you really can’t resist the risk, it is advisable at the very least to be properly equipped with a transceiver, probe, shovel and mobile phone, or to invest in an ABS airbag. Seeking the advice and guidance of a professional is also recommended but it is important to remember that even he is not invincible.

What do I need?

Transceiver: If caught in an avalanche there is no time to spare and your minutes are numbered as survival rates drop rapidly after 15 minutes of snow submersion. A transceiver both emits and receives a signal that can be picked up by other transceivers which means that if you are wearing one, the rest of your group can find you quickly.

Probe: A probe goes hand in hand with a transceiver as once you’ve located their signal, you can use a probe to locate the buried individual. It easily penetrates even compact snow and comes in different weights and lengths.

Shovel: You’ve located your friend with the transceiver, you’ve found them with the probe…now you need to get them out as quickly as possible and nothing works faster when it comes to digging than a shovel. They are designed to be light, compact and often fold up to fit into backpacks.

ABS: Avalanche airbags are a serious investment but are recognised to significantly improve the chances of survival as they keep you above an avalanche rather than under it…they inflate when you pull the release and since large things rise while smaller ones sink, you are lifted to safety. You can buy a backpack – or an ABS system – which comes complete with two airbags and all the technology.

Finally, if you’re planning a ski holiday at this time of year, particularly when the weather is warming up and conditions could become even more dangerous, make sure you’ve got a comprehensive and stable insurance policy in place. The lives of over 20 skiers and snowboarders have been taken and the same number again has been seriously injured in avalanches alone. We offer a range of winter sports insurance policies from skiing, to heli-skiing, to back-country skiing. Follow the link below to find out more information and get a quote today:

https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/insurance/ski_insurance.html/

Are you SURE you’re insured?

When it comes to going abroad, most people are aware of the need for travel insurance. It is now common knowledge that buying travel insurance to protect your possessions, your luggage and your health is an essential item on the pre-holiday check list. And most important it would seem these days, is finding the right kind of travel insurance to suit both you and your trip. The three top reasons according to the U.S Travel Insurance Association for purchasing it are protection against the unexpected, worries about losing the financial investment that goes into planning a trip, and peace of mind. Even if you’ve planned your trip to be fully restorative – sun soaked beaches, long lunches and minimal activity – there is still a whole host of things that could go wrong, such as flight delays or cancellations, baggage loss, or perhaps you need to cancel your trip due to illness. When you compare the cost of your trip to the cost of a policy, suddenly travel insurance seems well worth the investment.

But what if your trip is going to be more active? Perhaps you’re planning on doing some kitesurfing, sailing or water-rafting? If you’re visiting an adventure capital are you likely to make the most of an opportunity to do a bungee jump? In winter, you might be going skiing or snowboarding? The added risks that come with these sports and with all sports in general are why travel insurance on its own is often insufficient. Following being drunk, the next reason given for rejection of a claim was if the policyholder had undertaken a sport or extreme excursion that was not covered. With the rising popularity of adventure sports holidays where travellers can indulge in challenging new activities while keeping fit, the need for an insurance policy more specific and tailored than its average travel counterpart is becoming more apparent. If lying by the pool, book and cocktail in hand remains your perfect holiday then a standard travel insurance policy will be perfect for you and will cover that level of activity. However, if you’re seeking new thrills and are likely to be tempted by the scuba-diving trip, off-piste skiing day or climbing expedition, then don’t risk your health and the value of your trip by only taking out regular insurance.

At SportsCover Direct, we can offer both sports travel insurance for specific sports as well as more general adventure sports and winter sports travel insurance. With over 20 years’ experience in the sporting field, we have a good idea of what is required from making sure your equipment is protected, to medical expenses, to repatriation to the UK in the event of serious accidents. While we all like to shop around for the best deals when it comes to insurance (or anything!) your priority should be making sure you are fully covered for all the activities you are likely to get involved in, rather than just opting for the cheapest quote. We want to make sure we can fulfil the reasons most of you choose travel insurance: protection against the unexpected - our policies can cover the costs of a hospital stay abroad if you sustain a sudden injury while climbing etc; peace of mind – even when active, holidays should be worry-free and we want to make sure you can enjoy new adventures without being hung up on the ifs and buts; losing the financial investment that goes into planning a trip – just like the standard travel insurance policies, we will still cover the costs of delayed flights, lost baggage and illness!

To find out more visit our site so you can be SURE that you’re insured.

https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/

RBS Six Nations

The world’s oldest and largest annual premier rugby tournament began last weekend with victories from Ireland, Wales and a last-minute win from France over England . The competition began in 1871 when the first rugby union international was played between England and Scotland with the latter coming out on top. Over a century later, it has grown in popularity, tradition and competition, with six nations – England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France and Italy – now challenging each other for the trophy, commissioned by the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2006.

Following 1871, annual and occasional friendly matches were played between England and Scotland until 1883, when the inaugural Home International Championship, comprising England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales was played. France officially joined in 1910 and the Championship became the Five Nations, remaining like this through its suspension during World War I and II (excluding France’s ejection 1931-1939), and it was not until 2000 that the tournament welcomed Italy, becoming the Six Nations as we know it today.  Over its course of play, the Championship has acquired a simple format which encourages millions of people to tune in annually worldwide. Each team plays every other team once, with home field advantage alternating from one year to the next. The winning team is awarded 2 points, a draw results in 1 and a loss gains nothing. Victory in every game awards that team the ‘Grand Slam’ while victory by any Home Nation over the other three Home Nations constitutes a ‘Triple Crown’. The current Championship holders are Wales, who denied England both this and their Grand Slam chances on the final weekend of 2013.

This year, England are looking to claim back the title they last held in 2011 and with the rising support, this is certainly possible. In 2013, over one million people attended the 15 matches, making it the best attended international rugby tournament in the world on a per match basis. The Championship which is completed over seven weekends in February and March is aired in over 160 countries, and it attracts an ever growing media focus. England hooker, Dylan Hartley has insisted that winning this year’s competition is crucial to the national team’s development, believing that the England squad have the ability to go all the way and that lifting the Six Nations would be the ideal way to start the countdown to the World Cup. “Win the World Cup?” he says, “Certainly we can”.

For some, the 6 Nations dream is over already. Rhys Patchell, the Welsh 20 year old fly-half sustained a knee injury while playing for his club side which a scan confirmed will require surgery. Out for a possible four months, it is unlikely that Patchell will play any part in Wales’ attempt to retain the Championship title. Ireland’s back rower Sean O’Brien is also in danger of missing the entire 6 Nations as he requires surgery on the dislocated left shoulder he suffered in a match against Ulster in December last year. The physicality of rugby means the level of injury sustained is high; physio treatment alone can be very expensive. Protect yourself against the physical and financial risks with a comprehensive insurance policy, like the one we’ve designed especially for rugby. Find out more here: https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/insurance/rugby.html/

Stay tuned this weekend to watch Ireland vs Wales and England vs Scotland on Saturday, and France vs Italy on Sunday!