An irregular riding surface can cause even the most experienced skateboarder to take a serious tumble.

More than half of skateboarding accidents are caused by falls, with wrist injuries often sprains or fractures ranking high on the list. Certain safety precautions, such as wearing a helmet or protective padding on knees and elbows, can help reduce the odds of suffering a serious injury. But learning how to fall from a skateboard correctly can also go a long way in preventing a serious injury.

Here are a few tips on how to deal with a skateboarding mishap:

• Learn to fall by practicing falls on a soft surface, such as grass.

• If you lose your balance, crouch down on the skateboard so that you will not have as far to fall.

• In a fall, land on the fleshy parts of your body if possible.

• Roll rather than absorb the force with your arms.

• Attempt to relax your body and remain flexible during a spill, rather than stiffen up.

Source: National Safety Council