Shoveling Snow Is A High-Risk Activity! Safer To Ski!!!

Look Outside! It Snowed! It Snowed Concrete!

One of the marvels of Boulder and the universe is the movement of the planets. As the earth circles the sun once a year, that thing we call “winter” returns once a year. With is, it snows in Boulder. Sometimes it snows a LOT in Boulder, especially during “up-slope” storms. STOP SHOVELING, BOULDER! It Is A Little Too Soon To Shovel Snow! But it won’t last long. It is soon enough to find last year’s snow shovel or to start up the snow blower, fill it with gas, and make sure the tire pressures are equal. Don’t forget the oil!

My mother was a great teacher. One of her skills was teaching me to worry. How good was she? I once caught myself in a perfect mellow state worrying about what I was forgetting to worry about!!! Fact. I lovingly cursed my Mother and calmed down.  Today my worrying centers on the dangers of shoveling snow. I don’t know which is more dangerous. Shoveling snow or sitting watching TV and thinking about shoveling. Either will get me in the end.

I’ve been accused of being  many things and worse for suggesting that someone as young as 45 might be getting too old for shoveling. Rather to be called names than to be dialing 911!

You may have noticed that it snowed concrete mashed potatoes yesterday. JOKING!  If you want to ski powder, this isn’t it. Snowballs are deadly weapons. Snowmen will last until March. The snow will weigh as much as compressed lead. Shoveling heavy, wet snow poses significant health risks, particularly for older individuals, due to the intense physical exertion required AND due to the specifics of the bio-mechanics of snow shoveling. This is not Pilates my friends!

Here’s why shoveling snow is especially medically exciting:

1. Cardiovascular Strain: Shoveling can dramatically increase heart rate and blood pressure. For older adults, particularly those with underlying cardiovascular conditions, this sudden increase in physical demand can lead to heart attacks.

2. Cold Weather Risks: Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart. This, combined with the physical strain of shoveling, heightens the risk of cardiac events.

3. Musculoskeletal Strain: The weight of wet snow increases the likelihood of back injuries, joint strain, and muscle tears, especially for those with decreased flexibility or pre-existing conditions like arthritis.

4. Reduced Physical Capacity: As people age, their cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems may not perform as efficiently, making intense activities like snow shoveling riskier.

5. The most subtle risk, the one I find fascinating, is the bio-dynamic orientation of the body when shoveling. The motion itself compresses the heart and the lungs, exacerbating the risk of the activity.

Magic Age to Stop

There is no universally agreed-upon “magic age” for men or women to stop shoveling snow. However, many experts suggest that by age 50 to 60, people should reconsider heavy snow shoveling, especially if they have risk factors like:

– A history of heart disease or high blood pressure
– A sedentary lifestyle. You can watch shoveling snow on TV OR shovel the snow, but not both.
– Chronic joint or back issues and finally:

– A strong aversion to very hard work.

For those in good health and physically active, the age might vary. However, for safety, even healthy individuals over 50 should pace themselves, use ergonomic tools, or consider alternatives like hiring help or using a snowblower.

Having been a teenager once, during the last century, I think about 14 is too old to shovel snow, and it gets harder from there. It is child abuse, torturous, and unfortunately necessary in Boulder.

In our neighborhood, there is snowblower magic. Those of us who have snowblowers take turns, without having to organize it, running our magic machines around the block. There are few things more uplifting than looking out the front window and seeing that the sidewalk, in both directions, has been cleared. The is little more uplifting than being the one who got to the block’s sidewalks first. The Yiddish is mitzfah, or good deed. It is a win-win and helps justify having a 30 hp snowblower for 50 yards of walk and a driveway.

Finally

When you see a brilliant, brave, praiseworthy neighbor running their magic machine past your house, consider bringing them a hot drink, a glass of water, or even a gas can to refill their snowblower. They are probably saving your life, and they are certainly bringing a smile to your face. My father would say “don’t buy a snow blower. Buy your neighbor a nice one. You’ll never shovel again.

Finally, as friend Mike explained when I first came to the magic valley in 1975, “there are not cold days, there is only a change in proper clothing.”

Lenny “Lensworth” Frieling

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Lenny Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and widely syndicated blogger and author.
• Most recently published by Amazon, his first book, "Lensworth"a book of his prize-winning photos.
• University lectures at University. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
• Former Judge
• Media work, including starring in episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee, Distinguished Counsel Circle.
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML, and prior chair during legalization, as well as pre and post legalization
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• http://www.Lfrieling.com