Watercraft injuries a seasonal hazard
12 December 2011
Christmas is a time for recreational boating accidents, doctors have warned, while pointing to a spate of injuries that often result in loss of limbs.
A report from the Royal Perth Hospital has described 5 people with severe injuries treated in just 10 days over the Christmas and New Year period last year (Medical Journal of Australia 2011; 195: 704-5).
These include a 23-year-old man who was injured while he and his colleagues were riding jet-skis after a Christmas party.
Two of the jet-skis collided at high speed crushing the man’s leg below the knee and "only a small bridge of skin remained". Amputation was considered the only option.
In other cases, a 35-year-old man’s leg was caught by the propeller of his newly acquired speedboat as he attempted to connect its anchor, while a 21-year-old woman suffered multiple deep cuts to her legs while trying to climb into a power boat.
She was being towed on a large rubber tube, fell off, and then came into contact with the propeller as the boat stopped to retrieve her. The propeller cut major nerves in both legs, affecting her use of the limbs.
Watercraft and propeller injuries are often characterised by severe initial injury ... including severe [bleeding]," wrote Dr Hemant Garg and co-authors.
"The cutting nature and high speed of propellers results in repeated wounding of the body at multiple levels, greatly multiplying the risk of irreparable damage to deep [nerves and blood vessels]."
Dr Garg called for more community awareness about the risks as well as improvements to boat and jet-ski design.
Seven out of the 72 boat and watercraft injuries recorded in Western Australia between 2006 and 2010 were caused by propellers.
"A concept worth mentioning is that of a propeller guard," Dr Garg also said, while noting boat owners may be reluctant to use them because they potentially reduce boat speed.
Last Reviewed: 15 December 2011
- 1. Garg H, Twerenbold R, Zellweger R. Propeller and jet-ski injuries during Christmas and New Year in Western Australia. Med J Aust 2011; 195: 704-5. doi: 10.5694/mja11.10136. http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/195_11_121211/gar10136_fm.html (accessed Dec 2011).
