Skydivers urged to wear ankle braces

Skydivers should wear special equipment to protect their ankles and spine, says a trauma surgeon who reviewed Auckland Hospital files.

Dr Grant Christey says Auckland Hospital treated 38 people for skydiving/parachuting or parapenting injuries over an eight-year period.

The victims were mostly males in their mid-30s and their main injuries fractures of the lower limbs and spine. Most of the injuries resulted from uncontrolled, relatively high-speed landings.

He said the injury rate for "parasports" in New Zealand was unknown. The only previous study, which used information from operators, reported no injuries.

Dr Christey's study, published in the journal Emergency Medicine Australasia, cites British skydiving research which reported injury rates per jump of 0.22 per cent for military staff, 1.2 per cent for first-time civilians and 11 per cent for first-time civilians jumping in charity events.

But Parachute Industry Association chief executive Keith Gallagher said NZ injury rates were far lower.

"Our injury figures are closer to one in 20,000 jumps."

Dr Christey, who worked at Auckland Hospital before shifting to Australia, recommended skydivers wear ankle bracing and possibly spinal-support gear. He also urged they have more training for difficult landings and match flight plans to their experience.

But Mr Gallagher said he had never seen anyone using ankle or spinal gear.

Dr Christey said the average length of stay in hospital for the injury victims was nine days, but this ranged from one day to 51, depending on the severity of their injuries.

Sports injuries

Claims accepted by Accident Compensation Corporation from 1994 to 2004:

Hang-gliding 124
Parachute jumping 232