Sailing Injuries: A Review of the Literature
1Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Rhode Island Medical Journal (2013)
|February 3, 2019
Summary
Sailors face risks of injury and illness, with drowning being a significant cause of death, often linked to not wearing life jackets. While overall injury rates are low, contributing factors include high winds and inexperience.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Maritime Safety
- Public Health
Background:
- Sailing presents unique risks including acute, overuse, and environmental injuries, alongside illnesses.
- While sailing injury rates are lower than many land sports, the fatality rate is notably high.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence, types, and causes of injuries and fatalities in sailing.
- To identify key risk factors associated with both non-fatal and fatal sailing incidents.
Main Methods:
- Review of sailing-related injuries and fatalities.
- Analysis of injury mechanisms, contributing factors, and demographic data.
Main Results:
- Common injuries include contusions and lacerations; falls and impacts are frequent causes.
- High winds, operator inexperience, and inattention are common injury contributors.
- Drowning accounts for 73% of sailing deaths, with falls overboard and capsizing being primary causes; 82% of drowning victims in US waters were not wearing life jackets.
Conclusions:
- Sailing carries a significant risk of fatal drowning, largely preventable by wearing life jackets.
- Addressing factors like high winds, alcohol use, and operator inexperience is crucial for improving sailing safety.
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