PARAGLIDING INJURIES - HOW DANGEROUS IS THIS GROWING SPORT

This review of 12 paragliding accidents in the Aspen, Colorado, area o ver a nearly 2-year period identifies causative factors and common mec hanisms of injury and assesses the nature and severity of the injuries . Pilot error in judgment was the most frequent cause of accident. Low er-extremity and spinal compression fractures are common during forcef ul landings. Free-fall accidents, however, typically cause more seriou s pelvic, chest, and abdominal trauma.