For Inline and Quad Skating there are four pieces of protective equipment which are highly recommend:
Wrist Guards
Helmet
Knee Pads
Elbow Pads
Sometimes you feel silly wearing protective equipment. But you will feel more silly when you break your wrist or worse and can't skate !!!! Remember protective equipment ensures you keep skating throughout the year...Injuries mean no skating and who wants that!!!
Wrist Guards These are one of the most important protective equipment pieces. Even
people who wear no other pieces still wear these! They
protect you from 'snapping' back your hand/wrist joint when you fall
and provide slide pads on the palm of your hands. It is highly recomend
you invest in some of these.
Helmet This is the other most important piece of equipment especially when you
are trying something new outdoors or practicing speed skating.
Even
Ruff Cskate's London Speed Skater recommends a helmet after a nasty
accident in 2005 when his helmet smashed instead of his head! That's how important this piece of protective equipment is!
Knee Pads Knee Pads are just that! Pads to protect your knee joints. If you are
taught to fall properly (knees followed by hands) your knees will be
the first point of contact with the floor so these will cushion your
fall.
Elbow Pads Elbow pads are just that too! Pads for your elbow joint - These are
probably the least important protective equipment piece but are good at
protecting elbows from scraps and grazes.
All the equipment allow you to 'slide' along the floor should you fall which avoids any sudden jogs or jars to the joints.
It's recommended to wear protective equipment at ALL ages