[Biomechanical stress limits and analysis of accidents]

Studies on "Accident Biomechanics" need a multidisciplinary collaboration of specialized reseachers of the medical and engineering profession. In spite of extensive research no proven tolerance limits of the human organism are known to date. Due to the fact that old age and poor health condition greatly reduce the human tolerance, the examples of tolerance limits listed in this paper are no absolute values. However, some guidelines exist as to estimating the potential hazard of a mechanical loading situation. A powerful tool for quantifying the medical sequelae of accidents is the standardized classification of injuries according to the "Abbreviated Injury Scale, AIS". It can be anticipated that by means of advanced electronic equipment further progress as to the knowledge of mechanical tolerance limits will be possible.