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Bungee jumping
Bungee jumping is hazardous to your health. A 39-year-old was injured while bungee jumping from a platform that was suspended 240 feet in the air. He was wearing a vest that was attached to the bungee cord. When the cord stretched, it detached from its anchor and the victim fell to an inflatable air mattress. The only injury he sustained was to his knee. He was treated with a knee immobilizer and discharged.
A review of the literature found that bungee jumping has been commercially active in the United States since 1988. There have been more than a million jumps with seven documented deaths and numerous severe injuries. The injuries have ranged from paralysis secondary to spinal cord damage to multiple bruises and cord burns on the hands.
The researchers conclude that safety measures should be in place to decrease the likelihood of injuries occurring. These include using a multicord system with covered safety cords, placing a large air cushion beneath the jumping area and limiting the height of the jumps to a maximum of 250 feet.
Source: The Journal of Emergency Medicine, May 1995.
Latex gloves
Emergency medical service personnel are aware of the importance of wearing latex gloves as a guard against bloodborne pathogen exposures. However, the role of latex gloves in preventing transmission of potential bacteria pathogens to victims was explored in a study appearing in Prehospital Care Research Forum. It was found that by midday, hand cultures of paramedics were positive for a type of bacteria that is associated with serious wound infections.
Therefore, in addition to protecting EMS personnel against bloodborne pathogens, the regular use of latex gloves can protect victims from transmission of potentially pathogenic bacteria.
Source: JEMS, Prehospital Care Research Forum, March 1996
Thermal illness in children
Children are more prone to injuries from solar energy and heat exposure than are adults. Acute and long-term effects from the sun include serious eye damage and skin malignancies. Children with medical or psychological conditions are at increased risk of heat illness. Parents and physicians need to be aware of children's increased risk for these injuries.
Source: The Physician and Sportsmedicine, July 1995.
Second impact of the head
The known risk of second impact syndrome (SIS) in football has elevated the importance of post-concussion and precompetition exams of injured football players. Minor head trauma in a player who still has symptoms from a previous concussion can have a second impact syndrome in any contact sport. It is important to monitor post-concussion symptoms, which include headache, light-headedness and impaired consciousness. Return-to-play guidelines for football provide a basis for making safe activity recommendations for other sports.
Source: The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 1995; 23 June 1995
Safer alternatives to outdated exercises
Not all exercises are good for all people. Healthy young people can do almost any exercise with little risk. Older people who have exercised all their lives can exercise safely under most circumstances. But middle-age and older people who have been inactive need to know that some of the old standbys - such as sit-ups and toe touches - can result in injury.
- Sit-ups are popular for stomach toning. But full sit-ups stress the lower back, and they work the hip muscles more than the abdominal muscles. The "crunch" is better.
- The double-leg lift while lying on your back places tremendous stress on the lower back. Scissoring the legs while in this also places the lower back in a dangerous position. Again, the crunch is a safe alternative.
- Head rolls, in which you roll your head in a complete circle, are very stressful to the upper spine. Do neck stretches to the sides instead.
- The yoga plow to stretch upper- and lower-back muscles by lying on their back and bringing the feet up and over until touching the floor beyond the head. This forces the disks in the neck to bulge, risking injury. For the same reason, avoid the "bicycle" in which you lie on your back, raise your hips and "pedal" your feet. An alternative is the fold-up stretch. Do this while kneeling, lean forward and rest your forehead on the floor while keeping your buttocks on the heels. Reach forward as far as is comfortable while pressing your chest into your thighs.
- Full squats or deep knee bends can damage your knees, especially when you bounce out of the squat. Partial squats done slowly and under control are safer.
- Jumping jacks involve forces on your legs and knees. Gently running in place provides a lower-impact way to warm-up.
- Standing toe touch is a bad exercise even if done slowly, but it's even worse if you bounce. It stresses the lower back. A safer option is the one-legged stretch. Do this exercise by sitting on the edge of a bed with one leg extended. Keep your back straight as you bend from your hips and grasp your lower leg. Move your chin toward your knee until you feel a comfortable stretch and hold. Switch legs and repeat.
If you are not very flexible or have had back problems, it is best to consult a physician before starting an exercise program.
Source: The Physician and Sportsmedicine, June 1995.
Pipe bombs
One of the more common illegal explosive devices is the "pipe bomb." All pipe bombs can be ingited with a burning fuse or electrically. The key point to remember: Containers and fusing may not be readily apparent, so maintain a high index of suspicion. Should you suspect such a device, clear everyone from the area and call the police.
Source: Emergency Medical Services, March 1996.
Medication side effects
Medication side effects are defined as undesired consequences or effects. The side effects are usually known to the manufacturer, the pharmacist and the physician. There are many possible side effects that can result from medications, but common ones include headache, nausea, insomnia, drowsiness and gastric disturbances. They may occur rarely or with some regularity. In some cases they may be unavoidable, but the physician may feel that the effects can be tolerated by the person and the need for the drug may outweigh the risk and unpleasantness. Some side effects may manifest themselves almost immediately after taking the drug, while others may not occur for hours or even days. In some cases, side effects may occur years after drug therapy was started even though no adverse effects have been experienced before.
Source: Emergency, March 1996.