Burn injuries in boating accidents.
We report a series of burn injuries sustained on boats and admitted to Stoke Mandeville Hospital over a 4-year period. Nine patients are presented, aged between 27 and 65 years. Total body surface area burned ranged from 1.5 to 83 per cent. The causes of the injuries, and the factors leading to the accidents which caused them, are discussed. Interviews with a number of private boat owners and hirers revealed an inadequate level of fire and safety precautions taken. There is at present no legal requirement for private boats to carry five fighting equipment. We believe there is a need for definition of the minimum legal level of such equipment to be carried on board. Increased awareness of correct fuel storage and handling requirements is felt to be important, especially with the increasing popularity of boating as a leisure and sporting activity.
Nuffield Burns Unit, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, Bucks, UK.
G
G
Shergill
G V
GV
Scerri
P J
PJ
Regan
A H
AH
Roberts
D000056:Accident Prevention; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000473:pathology*; D003625:Data Collection; D005107:Explosions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012767:Ships