Citation

Christey GR. Emerg. Med. Australas. 2005; 17(2): 163-166.

Affiliation

Trauma Services, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1742-6723.2005.00708.x

PMID

15796732

Abstract

Objectives: Parasports' comprise parachuting, skydiving, paragliding, parapenting, parascending, parasailing and hang-gliding, and may involve rapid deceleration on landing. The aims of this study were to determine the spectrum of parasport-related trauma presenting to Auckland City Hospital and to make recommendations to reduce further injury. Methods: The Auckland City Hospital Trauma Registry was used to identify all patients requiring admission with serious injury as a result of parasport incidents over an 8-year period. Demographic and injury-related data were then analysed. Results: Parachuting/skydiving was responsible for 66% of all serious parasport injuries and 96% of patients were men. Fractures of the lower limbs and lumbar spine were the predominant injuries. Misjudgement of landing speed and attitude resulting in injurious landing forces were the usual causes of injury. Conclusions: The magnitude of serious parasport-related trauma is greater than that indicated by previous studies in New Zealand. Appropriate use of protective clothing and close attention to safe flight planning and landing techniques may reduce the injury rate without degrading the experience of flight.