title: Snowmobile trauma: 10 years' experience at Manitoba's tertiary trauma centre.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  According to the literature, the increased recreational use of the snowmobile has resulted in an increasing number of musculoskeletal injuries. We wished to examine whether previously described risk factors continue to be associated with snowmobile trauma and to identify previously unrecognized risks and specific patterns of injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a chart review of all snowmobile-related injuries over a 10-year period at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, the only level 1 trauma centre serving the Province of Manitoba, with particular attention to the risk factors of suboptimal lighting, excessive speed and alcohol consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 480 injuries in 294 patients, and 81 (27.6%) of these patients died. Collisions accounted for 72% of the injury mechanisms. Of the injuries sustained, 31% occurred on roads. Excessive speed was a risk factor in 54% of patients, suboptimal lighting in 86% and a blood alcohol level greater than 0.08 in 70%. Musculoskeletal injuries accounted for 57% of those recorded. There were also brachial plexus injuries (3%) and knee dislocations (2%). To our knowledge, this is the largest study detailing injury associated with recreational use of snowmobiles in Canada.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because snowmobile trauma is caused principally by human errors, it is potentially preventable. Efforts aimed at prevention must focus on the driver, who controls the common risk factors. The danger of snowmobiling while intoxicated must be emphasized. Trail-side monitoring is likely to be ineffective, as the majority of accidents do not occur on designated snowmobile trails.
authors.affiliation: Section of Orthopedics, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.
authors.forename: Rena L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: G Brian
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D038161:Snow Sports / Q000293:injuries* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D014193:Trauma Centers