The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care · 1993 · 65 citations · 0 references
Spring BreakRock SlideEngineeringTraumatologySafety ScienceInjury PreventionVertical Deceleration InjuriesTraffic InjurySport InjuryKinesiologyTransport AccidentKinematicsFall RiskHealth SciencesFall PreventionUrban Blunt TraumaEngineering GeologyMass MovementCivil EngineeringHuman MovementEmergency Medicine
Vertical deceleration injuries represent a distinct form of urban blunt trauma. Mechanisms of injury differ from those of horizontal vehicular trauma, and severity primarily depends on velocity of impact. We describe 33 free-fall injuries in adults occurring under purely nonintentional circumstances at a popular college "spring break" resort. Patterns of injuries were found to differ significantly from previously reported patterns of injuries sustained by adults from both accidental and intentional vertical deceleration.