Elsevier

Injury

Volume 20, Issue 5, September 1989, Pages 257-258
Injury

Paper
Parachuting injuries during training descents

https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-1383(89)90161-7Get rights and content

Abstract

An analysis of the injuries sustained during a series of 51828 military training parachute descents and which were treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital is presented. The significant casualty rate was 0.22 in every 100 descents. There were 4 deaths, 5 multiple injuries and 104 single fractures, dislocations or head injuries. The injury rate is lower than that reported for training descents made by sports parachutists, despite more difficult conditions. Serious injuries and deaths were often the consequence of interactions between two jumpers.

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There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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    Citation Excerpt :

    The highest rates are found with night jumps, operational compared with basic training circumstances, and static line rather than free fall employment of the parachute. Most fatal injuries are the result of blunt force or deceleration.1-3 After blunt chest trauma, cardiac involvement occurs in 6% to 76% of cases with a wide variety of clinical problems.

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Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Princess Margaret Hospital, Swindon.

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Milton Keynes Hospital, Milton Keynes. Formerly Consultant Surgeon, 23 Parachute Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.

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