PARAGLIDING ACCIDENTS IN REMOTE AREAS

Paragliding is an increasingly popular hobby, as people try to find ne w and more adventurous activities. However, there is an increased and inherent danger with this sport. For this reason, as well as the inexp erience of many operators, injuries occur frequently. This retrospecti ve study centers on the helicopter rescue of 70 individuals in paragli ding accidents. All histories were examined, and 43 patients answered a questionnaire. Nineteen (42%) pilots were injured when taking off, 2 0 (44%) during the flight, and six (13%) when landing. Routine and exp erience did not affect the prevalence of accident. Analysis of the cau ses of accident revealed pilot errors in all but three cases. In 34 re scue operations a landing of the helicopter near the site of the accid ent was possible. Half of the patients had to be rescued by a cable wi nch or a long rope fixed to the helicopter. Seven (10%) of the pilots suffered multiple trauma, 38 (54%) had injuries of the lower extremiti es, and 32 (84%) of them sustained fractures. Injuries to the spine we re diagnosed in 34 cases with a fracture rate of 85%. One patient had an incomplete paraplegia. Injuries to the head occurred in 17 patients . No paraglider pilot died. The average hospitalization was 22 days, a nd average time of working inability was 14 weeks. Fourteen (34%) pati ents suffered from a permanent damage to their nerves or joints. Forty -three percent of the paragliders continued their sport despite the ac cident; two of them had another accident. An improved training program is necessary to lower the incidence of paragliding accidents. Optimal equipment to reduce injuries in case of accidents is mandatory. The h elicopter emergency physician must perform a careful examination, prov ide stabilization of airways and circulation, give analgesics, splint fractured extremities, and transport the victim on a vacuum mattress t o the appropriate hospital.