Epidemiology of Injury in Adventure and Extreme Sports

Editor(s): Heggie, T.W. (Bowling Green, OH)
Caine, D.J. (Grand Forks. N.Dak.)

Terrain-Based Sports

The Epidemiology of Injury in Bungee Jumping, BASE Jumping, and Skydiving

Søreide K.

Author affiliations

Department of Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, and Institute of Health and Medicine, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway

Related Articles for ""
Heggie TW, Caine DJ (eds): Epidemiology of Injury in Adventure and Extreme Sports. Med Sport Sci. Basel, Karger, 2012, vol 58, pp 112–129
https://doi.org/10.1159/000338720

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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Terrain-Based Sports

Published online: July 18, 2012
Cover Date: 2012

Number of Print Pages: 18
Number of Figures: 6
Number of Tables: 1

ISBN: 978-3-318-02164-6 (Print)
eISBN: 978-3-318-02165-3 (Online)

Abstract

Knowledge regarding epidemiology of injury is of benefit to injury prevention of activities associated with high risk. As relatively ‘young’ activities, the investigation of injuries and deaths related in extreme sports such as bungee jumping and BASE jumping is relatively sparse. Studies evaluating risk in civilian and military skydiving activities have been reported over the past decades, but technique and equipment has changed. Risk with bungee jumping is only sporadically reported in the literature, most often in connection with eye injuries, but also rare events of serious, life-threatening injuries and even death. BASE is an acronym for Building, Antenna, Span, Earth, which represents the fixed objects from which jumps are made. Estimated risk in BASE jumping for any injury (independent of severity grade) is 0.4–0.5%, which as 5- to 8-fold higher than skydiving. Typically, men outnumber women in a ratio of 10:1 in both injuries and case fatality rates. Age is frequently reported to range from 30 to 40 years. Notably, differences in training and environmental locations exist between recreational skydiving and BASE jumping. As BASE jumps are made from lower altitudes than skydives, jumpers generally fall at lower speeds, have far less aerodynamic control, and may lose flying stability. Yet, typical injuries include a bruised or sprained ankle during landing. Protective gear including helmet and pads may help to prevent such injuries, while more complex knowledge of human factors, environment and training are needed to prevent fatal injuries.

© 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel



Related Articles:

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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Terrain-Based Sports

Published online: July 18, 2012
Cover Date: 2012

Number of Print Pages: 18
Number of Figures: 6
Number of Tables: 1

ISBN: 978-3-318-02164-6 (Print)
eISBN: 978-3-318-02165-3 (Online)

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