title: An analysis of accidental free falls from a height: the 'spring break' syndrome.
abstract: Vertical deceleration injuries represent a distinct form of urban blunt trauma. Mechanisms of injury differ from those of horizontal vehicular trauma, and severity primarily depends on velocity of impact. We describe 33 free-fall injuries in adults occurring under purely nonintentional circumstances at a popular college "spring break" resort. Patterns of injuries were found to differ significantly from previously reported patterns of injuries sustained by adults from both accidental and intentional vertical deceleration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Halifax Medical Center, Daytona Beach, Florida.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Mathis
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phifer
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*