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Canyoning Accidents in Austria from 2005 to 2018

Author

Listed:
  • Mathias Ströhle

    (Department of General and Surgical Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Ina Beeretz

    (Social Services Vienna, Centre for Paediatric Development, 1220 Vienna, Austria)

  • Christopher Rugg

    (Department of General and Surgical Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Simon Woyke

    (Institute for Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC Research, via Ipazia 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Simon Rauch

    (Institute for Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC Research, via Ipazia 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Peter Paal

    (Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Hospitallers Brothers Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Kajetanerplatz 1, 5010 Salzburg, Austria)

Abstract

Canyoning has become a popular recreational sport. Nevertheless, little is known about injuries or diseases associated with canyoning. The aim of this study was to examine accident causes, injury patterns, out-of-hospital and in-hospital treatment and outcomes. For this purpose, national out-of-hospital data from the Austrian Alpine Safety Board and regional in-hospital data from Innsbruck Medical University Hospital were analysed for the period from November 1, 2005 to October 31, 2018. Nationally, 471 persons were involved in such accidents; 162 (34.4%) were severely injured, nine of whom died. Jumping ( n = 110, 23.4%), rappelling ( n = 51, 10.8%), sliding ( n = 41, 8.7%) and stumbling ( n = 26, 5.5%) were the most common causes of canyoning accidents. A large proportion of injuries were documented for the lower extremities ( n = 133, 47.5%), followed by the upper extremities ( n = 65, 23.2%) and the spine ( n = 44, 15.7%). Death was mainly caused by drowning. Overall mortality was 1.9% ( n = 9), and the absolute risk was 0.02 deaths per 1000 hrs of canyoning. Many uninjured persons required evacuation ( n = 116, 24.6%), which resulted in a substantial expense and workload for emergency medical services. Increased safety precautions are required to reduce accidents while jumping and rappelling and fatalities caused by drowning.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathias Ströhle & Ina Beeretz & Christopher Rugg & Simon Woyke & Simon Rauch & Peter Paal, 2019. "Canyoning Accidents in Austria from 2005 to 2018," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:102-:d:300819
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin Niedermeier & Hannes Gatterer & Elena Pocecco & Anika Frühauf & Martin Faulhaber & Verena Menz & Johannes Burtscher & Markus Posch & Gerhard Ruedl & Martin Burtscher, 2019. "Mortality in Different Mountain Sports Activities Primarily Practiced in the Winter Season—A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Hannes Gatterer & Martin Niedermeier & Elena Pocecco & Anika Frühauf & Martin Faulhaber & Verena Menz & Johannes Burtscher & Markus Posch & Gerhard Ruedl & Martin Burtscher, 2019. "Mortality in Different Mountain Sports Activities Primarily Practiced in the Summer Season—A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-13, October.
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