Michael Schumacher 's serious skiing accident in the French Alps has once again put the spotlight on skiing safety . The seven-time Formula One world champion remains in a critical condition after hitting his head on a rock at the Meribel resort in France on Sunday . But according to Dr. Mike Langran , a Scottish doctor who specializes in ski safety , serious accidents like the one endured by the German are uncommon . `` Accidents of this nature are , thankfully , rare events amongst skiers and snowboarders , although of course they usually receive substantial media attention , '' Langran said in a statement on Monday . Langran , who was interviewed by CNN about skiing safety last January , said he was `` deeply saddened and concerned '' on hearing of Schumacher 's accident and wished him a `` speedy and complete recovery , '' but stressed that the risk of injury from snow sports remains low . `` As with any recreational activity however , it is impossible to completely remove all elements of risk when participating in snow sports , '' Langran said . `` The absolute risk of an injury whilst skiing or snowboarding recreationally remains very low , in the order of 2-4 injuries per 1,000 days spent on the slopes . `` The vast majority of people will ski or board all their lives without ever sustaining a significant injury . '' Commenting in January on skiing injuries and fatalities , Langran insisted that winter sports have had a bad press when it comes to perceptions about safety . Read more : World waits on Schumacher 's fate . `` For snow sports , the average injury rate is 2-3 per 1000 participants on any one day . Compare that to an average game of soccer or rugby where perhaps the same number , or more are injured out of a much smaller number of players , '' he told CNN . Langran added that in the U.S. over the past 10 years , on average , about 41.5 people had died per year from skiing or snowboarding . `` The rate of fatality converts to 0.78 per million skier/snowboarder visits . Although it 's not directly comparable , in the United States in 2009 , 2,400 people drowned while swimming in public areas and 800 died while bicycle riding , '' Langran said . Schumacher is being treated for his injuries at the University Hospital Center of Grenoble . At a news conference on Monday , doctors said it was too early to say what the former F1 driver 's prognosis might be . Schumacher was in a coma when he arrived at the hospital and required immediate brain surgery , officials said . He has undergone one operation and is being kept in an induced coma , officials added . The 44-year-old was reportedly wearing a helmet when he fell . Doctors at the Grenoble hospital said that without the helmet 's protection , Schumacher would n't have made it to the operating table . `` I always recommend skiers and snowboarders to wear an appropriate helmet , '' said Langran . `` Whilst they can never provide complete protection in all accident situations , I have no doubt that his use of a helmet will have substantially attenuated the injuries sustained . '' The FIS ( the International Ski Federation ) has recommended the use of helmets on the slopes since 2006 , but their use remains voluntary . Some travel insurance companies , however , now insist they are worn otherwise claims by injured skiers could be invalidated . Read more : Danger on the slopes : Are winter sports safe ? Read more : Schumacher in critical condition after skiing accident .
Three - time F1 world champion 's accident highlights perils of skiing . Serious accidents from recreational skiing are a rare event , says ski safety experts . Injuries are between 2 - 3 per 100 days on ski slopes , says Dr. Pierre Langran . Langran recommends skiers and guides always wear an appropriate helmet .