High Fives Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing life-changing injuries in the outdoor sports community, is set to release its latest safety documentary titled “Triangle of Safety: Speed, Space, Self” as part of its B.A.S.I.C.S. (Being Aware and Safe in Critical Situations) program. The video, freely available online starting January 25th, aims to spread crucial safety messages, particularly targeted at youth, to prevent accidents and promote responsible outdoor recreation.
B.A.S.I.C.S. emphasizes the importance of safety by featuring a heartfelt story from a ski-loving family after a tragic collision took the life of their five-year-old daughter, Elise. The Johnson family’s commitment to transforming their grief into an opportunity for education led to the creation of the Snow Angel Foundation.
Snow Angel Foundation was founded after a collision on Christmas Eve in 2010. A snowboarder riding at approximately 50 mph collided with Kelli and daughter Elise (5 years old). The collision resulted in the death of Elise and the snowboarder. Elise’s parents started the foundation to prevent these kind of tragedies in the future. | Image: SnowAngelFoundation Website
Roy Tuscany, founder and CEO of High Fives Foundation, states, “We believe in the concept of ‘catch an athlete before the crash.’ By providing safety messages targeted to youth, we are making an investment in safety at a young age to help prevent life-changing injuries.”
The core message of this short documentary revolves around the B.A.S.I.C.S. Triangle of Safety, focusing on three key elements – speed, space, and self. The family, along with professional big mountain skiers, shares personal experiences and practical tips to encourage responsible behavior on the slopes.
“The triangle of safety is composed of three elements: speed, space, and self. Speed is perhaps the most important safety factor in skiing and snowboarding. It determines everything.”
— Travis Ganong, Team USA Alpine Ski Team
Travis Ganong on course. | Image: Start Haus
The video addresses the critical need for maintaining control over speed, respecting personal space, and self-awareness. It emphasizes the downhill skier or rider’s right of way and promotes situational awareness as a crucial aspect of safety. The athletes stress the importance of knowing one’s limits, managing risks, and always checking in with oneself before engaging in any outdoor activity.
High Fives Foundation invites you to watch “Triangle of Safety: Speed, Space, Self” for free on January 25th and encourages sharing the documentary to amplify its impact on mountain safety education. The short 5 minute film is being released just in time for Ski California’s 6th Safety Day Across Several CA & NV Resorts on January 27th. B.A.S.I.C.S. is presented to you by Ski California and the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). Supporting stakeholders include Mountain Guard, SMITH, Palisades Tahoe, Pisten Bully, and the Lefanowicz Family.
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