Verletzungsmuster und -prophylaxe beim Gleitschirmfliegen

Abstract

This study will present trends and recommendations to increase active and passive safety in paragliding on the basis of current state-of-the-art equipment and typical patterns of injury. This German-Swiss teamwork presents data of 55 male and 9 female patients treated after paragliding accidents between 1994 to 1998 respectively 1996 to 1998. 43.7% of the pilots presented with multiple injuries, 62.5% suffered spinal fractures and 18.8% pelvic fractures. 28.4% of the injured pilots were admitted with injuries of the lower extremities mainly affecting the tarsus or the ankle joint. Only three patients with single injuries could be treated in an ambulatory setting. 54.0% of the injuries left the patients with lasting functional residues and complaints. Main causes of accidents were either pilot error in handling the paraglider or general lack of awareness about potential risk factors. 46.0% of injuries occurred during landing, 42.9% of injuries during the flight and another 11.1% of injuries during starting procedures. With noticeable enhanced performance sails of the beginners and intermediate level are increasingly popular. Protective helmets and sturdy footwear reaching above the ankle joint are indispensable pieces of equipment. The use of protective gloves is highly recommended. Back protection devices of the new generation provide the best passive prophylaxis for the pilot against pelvic and spinal cord injuries. This area hold the most promise for increasing safety and reducing risk of injury in future, apart from using beginners and intermediate wings. After acquisition of the pilot license performance and security training provide the best preparing to master unforeseeable situations.

Injury prophylaxis in paragliding

“…Back protection has been required by law since 1 January 1998 in Austria and 1 January 2000 in Germany. The large percentage (21.6%) of sideways crash landings, as well as the complex pattern of injuries in the mostly unstable pelvic fractures shown by a recent study, 8 corroborate the current development of side protectors.…”

“…In contrast with early studies, 5 9 which predominantly reported accidents in trainee pilots, the number of such accidents had already fallen to 50% in 1990. 3 In a study of 1994-1998 or 1996-1998, such accidents represented just 7.5% of all accidents 8 and in this study 16%. These values confirm the appreciable qualitative improvement in training, the practical sections of which are now mostly carried out with the help of radio.…”

Paragliding Accidents With Spinal Cord Injury: 10 Years?? Experience at a Single Institution

“…This injury pattern, reflecting mainly vertical forces, is significantly different from the pattern with inversed distribution identified in our series, in which vertebral fractures predominated and were combined with lower limb fractures in 13 pilots (35%). We interpret this inversion of frequencies, also reported in a recent study, 8 and the high percentage of combined spine and lower limb fractures as a result of additional shear forces.…”

“…[1][2][3]5,6,8,28 In the same series, injuries to the spine were diagnosed with a similar frequency of 20% to 63%, and the combination of spine and lower limb fractures was mentioned. In the present study, we identified this combination in paragliding accidents with SCI as a most characteristic injury pattern when compared to other traumatic lesions leading to paraplegia or tetraplegia (P Ͻ 0.001).…”

“…4 -6 The frequency of accidents during starting or landing maneuvers varies from about 65% up to more than 90%, while only 10% to 35% of accidents occur during flight. [1][2][3][5][6][7][8] Paragliding accidents present a completely new injury pattern, which is not comparable to the injuries associated with other air sports, sports, or traffic accidents. 1,9 -11 Most accidents are caused by pilot errors, unpredictable meteorologic changes, or wrong appreciation of environmental conditions; material defects are a rare cause.…”