Risk and severity of injury in a population of BASE jumpers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and severity of accidents in a population of BASE jumpers (people who jump with parachute from a fixed object such as from a cliff).


METHODS
To determine the frequency and characteristics of BASE jumping accidents, a cross-sectional survey of experienced BASE jumpers was completed.


RESULTS
35 BASE jumpers enrolled in the study. Findings revealed that there were approximately 9914 jumps made and the estimated rate of injury was 0.4%. 39 accidents involving 21 (60%) BASE jumpers were found. 28 accidents (72%) predominantly involved the lower limbs, 12 (31%) involved the back/spine, 7 (18%) the upper limbs, and 1 (3%) was a head injury.


CONCLUSIONS
BASE jumping is associated with a high risk of serious injury and appears to be significantly more dangerous than skydiving.
Monasterio
Erik
E
Medlicott Academic Unit, Hillmorton Hospital, Private Bag 4733, Christchurch, New Zealand. erik.monasterio@cdhb.govt.nz
Mei-Dan
Omer
O
D000060:Accidents, Aviation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001359:Aviation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices