Epidemiology of personal watercraft-related injury on Arkansas waterways, 1994-1997: identifying priorities for prevention

Personal watercraft (PWC) use has increased rapidly in the past ten years. Consequences of the increased use are collisions and injuries. This study w as conducted to determine the etiology and the characteristics surrounding PWC collisions and injury associated with the use of these popular water re creational vehicles and determine countermeasures. Methods included obtaini ng boating accident reports limited to PWCs from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for the years 1994 through 1997. Results show that there were 1 26 incidents involving 141 vessels and over $156 000 (US) in property damag e. Almost two-fifths of PWC users were injured, mainly head trauma and frac tures to the lower limbs. There were five reported fatalities. Study sugges ts that PWC collisions and injury are increasing. With increased use and po pularity, this trend will continue unless sustained efforts in prevention a re established. Changes in policy, education and manufacturing standards ne ed to be considered and initiated to provide for safe PWC operation and boa ting environment. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.