title: Sailing injury and illness: results of an online survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe the relative frequency, patterns, and mechanisms of sailing-related injuries in dinghies and keelboats. Data were also collected on risky and risk-averse behaviors of sailors, as well as on sailing-related illnesses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A web-based, logic-driven, multiple-choice survey was developed and links were posted on sailing-related websites. Data were collected from March through November 2006 on any injuries or illnesses sailors sustained over the prior 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 1188 respondents, a total of 1715 injuries and 559 illnesses was reported. The top 3 injuries for keel boats were leg contusions (11%), hand lacerations (8%), and arm contusions (6%), and in dinghies they were leg contusions (13%), knee contusions (6%), and leg lacerations (6%). The most common mechanisms of injury were "trip/fall," "hit by object," and "caught in lines." Tacking, heavy weather, and jibing were the most common factors contributing to injury. The rates of injury and severe injury in this internet-based survey were 4.6 and 0.57 per 1000 days of sailing, respectively. Of the 70 severe injuries, 25% were fractures, 16% were torn tendons or cartilage, 14% were concussions, and 8% were dislocations. The median rate of lifejacket use was 30%, and median rate of sunscreen use was 80%. Sixteen percent of sailors reported sunburn over the prior 12 months. Seven percent of sailors reported use of alcohol within the 2 hours preceding injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most common injuries in both keel boats and dinghies are soft-tissue injuries to the extremities. Severe injuries and illnesses in sailing are uncommon in this study population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy St., Providence, RI 02903, USA. Anathanson@lifespan.org
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Nathanson
authors.forename: Janette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mello
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003288:Contusions / Q000453:epidemiology; D003681:Dehydration / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000453:epidemiology; D020407:Internet; D022125:Lacerations / Q000453:epidemiology; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012767:Ships; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult