title: Motorboat propeller injuries in Wisconsin: enumeration and prevention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain the nature and extent of motorboat propeller injuries in Wisconsin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study of deaths and injuries from outboard motor propellers reported to the Wisconsin Division of Health, Vital Statistics, and reported by a statewide retrospective survey of emergency departments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the study period 1987 through 1989, three fatalities were found in Vital Statistics and Emergency Department records and 14 nonfatal injuries reported by respondents to the Wisconsin emergency department survey. Thirty-six percent (5 of 14) of the nonfatal injuries occurred in water skiers. Injuries involved the lower extremities in 10 of 14 nonfatal cases (71%), frequently in association with other anatomic areas. At least three cases involved very severe injuries, with mean acute care medical charges of more than $100,000 per case.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Where boating is common, fatal and severe injuries from propellers occur with regularity. These injuries are often severe, requiring complicated and expensive treatment. The authors urge improved documentation of the incidence of propeller injuries, and an active exploration of prevention strategies including fitting motorboat propellers with guards.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hargarten
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karlson
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Vernick
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aprahamian
mesh_terms: D000056:Accident Prevention; D000059:Accidents; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011640:Public Policy; D012767:Ships; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery