Soldati, Fabio O.; Jackowski, Christian; Schön, Corinna A. (2022). Foot-Launched Flying Sport Fatalities in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland. Wilderness & environmental medicine, 33(1), pp. 50-58. Elsevier 10.1016/j.wem.2021.11.004
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INTRODUCTION
Foot-launched flying sports such as paragliding, hang gliding, and speedflying are popular recreational activities that all pose a significant risk of accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities. We describe the epidemiology, incident circumstances, and findings of forensic examinations of fatalities in these sports.
METHODS
In this retrospective analysis, we analyzed different parameters of paragliding, hang gliding, and speedflying fatalities in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, between 2000 and 2018. The data sources were police reports, forensic medical reports, the Swiss Hang Gliding Association, and the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention.
RESULTS
In the given period, 40 incidents resulting in 42 fatalities were recorded (2 incidents involved 2-seaters). Three of the 40 incidents did not fulfill the inclusion criteria and were excluded. The deadliest phase was midflight. Collapse of the glider (n=9; 36%) was the leading cause of accidents among paraglider pilots. Multiple trauma (n=21; 54%) was the most frequent cause of death. In the forensic examination, all deaths (n=39) were assessed as accidents.
CONCLUSIONS
The different categories of foot-launched flying sports varied in the causes of accidents and deaths. Fatalities in speedflying involved young pilots exposing themselves to high-risk situations. Fatalities may be prevented by enhancing education and training and promoting a cautious attitude among pilots.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
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Division/Institute: |
04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Legal Medicine 04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Legal Medicine > Forensic Medicine 04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Legal Medicine > Management |
UniBE Contributor: |
Jackowski, Christian, Schön, Corinna |
Subjects: |
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health |
ISSN: |
1080-6032 |
Publisher: |
Elsevier |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Antoinette Angehrn |
Date Deposited: |
15 Feb 2022 14:53 |
Last Modified: |
15 Jan 2023 00:25 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.1016/j.wem.2021.11.004 |
PubMed ID: |
35033434 |
Uncontrolled Keywords: |
accident adventure sports cause of death hang gliding paragliding speedflying |
BORIS DOI: |
10.48350/164886 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/164886 |
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