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Rock Climbing Emergencies in the Austrian Alps: Injury Patterns, Risk Analysis and Preventive Measures

Author

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  • Christopher Rugg

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

  • Laura Tiefenthaler

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

  • Simon Rauch

    (Institute for Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC Research, viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
    Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, “F. Tappeiner” Hospital, Via Rossini 5, 39012 Merano, Italy
    Austrian Society for Alpine and High-altitude Medicine (ÖGAHM), Lehnrain 30a, 6414 Mieming, Austria)

  • Hannes Gatterer

    (Institute for Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC Research, viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Peter Paal

    (Austrian Society for Alpine and High-altitude Medicine (ÖGAHM), Lehnrain 30a, 6414 Mieming, Austria
    Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Hospitallers Brothers Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Kajetanerplatz 1, 5010 Salzburg, Austria
    Austrian Mountain Safety Board, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Mathias Ströhle

    (Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
    Austrian Society for Alpine and High-altitude Medicine (ÖGAHM), Lehnrain 30a, 6414 Mieming, Austria)

Abstract

To elucidate patterns of and risk factors for acute traumatic injuries in climbers in need of professional rescue, a retrospective evaluation was performed of the Austrian National Registry of Mountain Accidents regarding rock climbing incidents over a 13-year timeframe from 2005 to 2018. From 2992 recorded incidents, 1469 were uninjured but in need of recovery, mainly when alpine climbing. Acute traumatic injuries ( n = 1217) were often classified as severe (UIAA ≥ 3; n = 709), and commonly involved fractures ( n = 566). Main injury causes were falls ( n = 894) frequently preceded by rockfall ( n = 229), a stumble ( n = 146), a grip or foothold break-out ( n = 143), or a belaying error ( n = 138). In fatal cases ( n = 140), multiple trauma ( n = 105) or head injuries ( n = 56) were most common, whereas lower extremity injuries ( n = 357) were most common in severely injured patients. The risk for severe or fatal injuries increased with age and fall height when ascending or bouldering, during the morning hours, and when climbing without a helmet or rope. The case fatality rate was 4.7%, and the estimated total mortality rate was 0.003–0.007 per 1000 h of rock climbing. Acute traumatic injuries requiring professional rescue when rock climbing are often severe or fatal. Consequent use of a helmet when sport climbing, consistent use of a rope (particularly when ascending), proper spotting when bouldering, and proper training, as well as high vigilance when belaying are likely to help prevent such injuries.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:20:p:7596-:d:431051
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. 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.
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    Cited by:

    1. Benedikt Gasser, 2022. "Deathly Accidents While High-Altitude Mountaineering in the Swiss Alps—An Observational Analysis from 2009 to 2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-8, September.

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