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Climbing Accidents—Prospective Data Analysis from the International Alpine Trauma Registry and Systematic Review of the Literature

Author

Listed:
  • Simon Rauch

    (Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
    Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, “F. Tappeiner” Hospital, Via Rossini 12, 39012 Merano, Italy)

  • Bernd Wallner

    (Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
    Department of Anesthesiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
    Department of General and Surgical Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 356020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Mathias Ströhle

    (Department of General and Surgical Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 356020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Tomas Dal Cappello

    (Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Monika Brodmann Maeder

    (Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Bern University Hospital and Medical University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland)

Abstract

Climbing has become an increasingly popular sport, and the number of accidents is increasing in parallel. We aim at describing the characteristics of climbing accidents leading to severe (multisystem) trauma using data from the International Alpine Trauma Registry (IATR) and at reporting the results of a systematic review of the literature on the epidemiology, injury pattern, severity and prevention of climbing accidents. We found that climbing accidents are a rare event, since approximately 10% of all mountain accidents are climbing related. Climbing accidents mainly affect young men and mostly lead to minor injuries. Fall is the most common mechanism of injury. Extremities are the most frequently injured body part. However, in multisystem climbing-related trauma, the predominant portion of injuries are to head/neck, chest and abdomen. The fatality rate of climbing accidents reported in the literature varies widely. Data on climbing accidents in general are very heterogeneous as they include different subspecialties of this sport and report accidents from different regions. A number of risk factors are accounted for in the literature. Appropriate training, preparation and adherence to safety standards are key in reducing the incidence and severity of climbing accidents.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Rauch & Bernd Wallner & Mathias Ströhle & Tomas Dal Cappello & Monika Brodmann Maeder, 2019. "Climbing Accidents—Prospective Data Analysis from the International Alpine Trauma Registry and Systematic Review of the Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:203-:d:302541
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Mara Assmann & Gino Steinmetz & Arndt Friedrich Schilling & Dominik Saul, 2020. "Comparison of Grip Strength in Recreational Climbers and Non-Climbing Athletes—A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Christopher Rugg & Laura Tiefenthaler & Simon Rauch & Hannes Gatterer & Peter Paal & Mathias Ströhle, 2020. "Rock Climbing Emergencies in the Austrian Alps: Injury Patterns, Risk Analysis and Preventive Measures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Martin Burtscher & Martin Niedermeier & Hannes Gatterer, 2021. "Editorial on the Special Issue on “Mountain Sports Activities: Injuries and Prevention”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-7, February.

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