II. Epidemiology
- Injury rate in Surfing: 3.5 per 1000 Surfing days
- More severe with larger waves in extreme conditions
- Most common injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures and dislocations
- Lacerations
- Most surfers are injured by contact with surf board
- Especially their own surf board
- Especially contact with side rails and fins
III. Causes: Injuries
- See Marine Injury
- See Marine Envonomation
- See Vibrio Cellulitis
- Spine injuries
- Head striking ocean floor (high mechanism injury)
- Central Cord Syndrome
- Blow to head with neck hyperextension
- Presents symptoms of bilateral arm Paresthesias
- C1 Fracture or Cervical Burst Fracture
- Direct blow to head with neutral neck
- Anterior inferior Cervical Fracture (tear drop Fracture)
- Blow to head with a flexed neck
- Central Cord Syndrome
- Atraumatic Spinal Myelopathy (from cord infarction)
- Uncommon condition seen primarily in warm water Surfing (e.g. Hawaii) by amateur surfers
- May be associated with prolonged hyperextended position
- Presents with sudden onset of back pain, bilateral leg weakness, Paresthesias
- References
- Swadron, Williams, Rogers in Herbert (2018) EM:Rap 18(3): 20
- Head striking ocean floor (high mechanism injury)
IV. Prevention
-
Rubber Gaurds
- Covers surf board nose and fins
- Surfing helmet
- Protective eye glasses
- Surf board leash
- Protect other surfers from a loose board
- Raises risk of injury to surfer via recoil
- Consider longer surf board leash