DIVING INJURIES - A PREVENTABLE CATASTROPHE

During a 5-year period from January 1987 through January 1992, 58 pati ents were admitted to the Allegheny General Hospital trauma center for non-scuba, non-suicidal diving injuries. There were 46 men and 12 wom en (mean age, 23 years). Forty-five patients were injured in swimming pools. Twenty-two patients had blood alcohol levels >100 mg/dL. Cervic al spine injury was the most common pathologic entity encountered in t his group of patients. Closed head injury, pelvic fracture, thoracic v ertebral fracture, and rib fractures were other injuries identified. S ome patients had multiple organ failure syndrome. Aquatic recreational activities carry a risk for injury that is preventable. The mechanism ,clinical data, and complications of 58 patients are presented and the importance of prevention is discussed.