![]() Nearly 227 of the 451 injuries reported were to the skin or subcutaneous tissue (the layer of fat between skin and underlying tissues). All injured climbers filled out a survey of their injuries. Research was compiled as climbers were brought to the Yosemite Medical Clinic or were rescued by United States National Park Search and Rescue team. ![]() These injuries came from a variety of sources, but 144 climbers were injured in lead falls (65.45%). Allen reviewed 451 injuries reported by 220 climbers. In a 3½-year study performed in Yosemite National Park, California, William S. Rock climbing injuries in Yosemite National Park This method of falling eliminates injuries caused by prematurely grabbing the rope or other pieces of protection, as well as virtually eliminating neck injuries. After impact, the climber should grab the rope (as it is completely stretched out and unable to cause injury) in order to refrain from tipping upside down. This method of falling allows the climber to make contact with the wall with limbs that can absorb the force of impact, rather than with other less-absorbent parts of the body. Climbers should fall with their hands up and slightly forward and with feet down and slightly forward as well. However, by practicing the proper falling technique a climber can significantly reduce the chance of injury. Someone who climbs 3-4 days a week might take 1000 lead falls a year, which increases the chance of injury because of a fall. Grabbing pieces of protection during a fall can impale the climber's hand. Climbers who grab their ropes above the tying knot might have their fingers amputated by the rope constricting around them. Ĭlimbers that grab the ascending rope during a fall can sustain skin damage (from rope burns) on their hands, become caught in the last piece of protection, can unintentionally unclip the belay point causing longer and more dangerous falls, and become tangled in the climbing rope. Many climbing injuries are caused by climbers who grabbed something as they fell. ![]() Falling correctly įalling correctly can significantly reduce the chance of serious injury. Most importantly, none of the injuries were neck injuries. These included three ankle injuries, three fractures of bones in the calf (tibia and fibula), and two lumbar spine fractures. Ten injuries were to the lower extremities (legs and pelvic areas). The remaining seven were soft tissue injuries (ankle, knee, and ligaments). Twelve of the 19 injures sustained were bone fractures, including feet, shins, pelvis and lower back. No distinction was made whether the falls were lead falls or not, but 15 climbers fell from the rock face to the ground, implying these were lead falls. According to patients, 18 of 19 climbing-related injuries were directly caused by climbing falls. While this study greatly lacked subjects, percentages of injuries to various body parts are consistent with studies which reported more injuries. Grant, registrars and consultants at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary surveyed patients from 1992-93 who checked in with climbing related injuries. A Prospective Study of rock climbing Injuries Ī Prospective Study of Rock Climbing Injuries, a study performed by Jonathon P. One problem with all of the studies is that injuries are not always reported therefore, it is difficult to determine how many climbers were actually injured because there is no way to determine how many climbers climbed in the given areas during the times the studies were conducted. Each study provides slightly different information due to the differences in methods in obtaining data. As rock climbing has become more popular, several studies have been published documenting the frequency and severity of injuries sustained by rock climbers in various circumstances. They range from mild skin abrasions to death. Injuries from falling come in many forms. The fall can produce a significant force on the midsection, where the climbing rope is tied to their harness. Thus, a climber who is 5 feet above their protection will fall 10 feet. Lead falls are dangerous because the climber can fall twice the length of the rope between them and their last piece of protection. Chances of neck and head injuries are very low and they can be avoided by falling correctly. Several published studies have researched climbing injuries, especially lead climbing injuries, and how to avoid them. The greatest potential for injury while rock climbing occurs when a lead climber falls. A climber in Calico Hills falls while leading
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