Personal watercraft-related injuries. A growing public health concern
C. M. Branche, J. M. Conn and J. L. Annest
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Ga 30341-3724, USA. duipinfo@cdc.gov
CONTEXT: An increase in the recreational use of personal watercraft (PWC)
raises concern about an increase in associated injuries on a national
level. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the relative frequency, types of injury, and
demographic features of persons injured while using PWC in the United
States. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Emergency department (ED) visits to
hospitals participating a national probability sample. PARTICIPANTS: All
persons treated for PWC-related injury from January 1,1990, through
December 31, 1995. RESULTS: An estimated 32954 persons (95% confidence
interval [CI], 22919-42989) with PWC-related injuries were treated in US
hospital EDs, of which 3.5% were hospitalized. Personal watercraft-related
injuries have increased significantly from an estimated 2860 in 1990 to
more than 12000 in 1995. During this period, the number of PWC in operation
increased 3-fold from approximately 241500 in 1990 to an estimated 760000
in 1995. The most prevalent diagnoses were lacerations, contusions, and
fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The estimated number and percentage of
patients treated in EDs for PWC-related injuries, by year, age, sex, and
the number and rate per 1000 of PWC in operation by year. CONCLUSIONS:
Since 1990, there has been at least a 4-fold increase in injuries
associated with an increase in the recreational use of PWC. The rate of
ED-treated injuries related to PWC was about 8.5 times higher (95% CI,
8.2-8.8; 1992 data) than the rate of those from motorboats. Specific
training and adult supervision is recommended for minors using PWC.
Furthermore, medical practitioners should encourage personal flotation
device use and other protection for their patients who are known water
enthusiasts.
