Snowmobile-related injuries in Canada Most snowmobile-related injuries occur in February Youth are the most likely to sustain serious snowmobile-related injuries January 25, 2006 - New data released today from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) show that hospitals treat the most snowmobile-related injuries in February. Snowmobile incidents remained the number-one cause of winter sports and recreation-related injuries treated in specialized trauma units in 2003-2004, accounting for 41% of these types of injuries as compared to snowboarding (20%), skiing (20%), hockey (9%), tobogganing (7%) and ice-skating (3%). Most snowmobile-related severe-injury admissions in 2003-2004 occurred in February (34%), followed by January (23%). A look at general hospital admissions across the country reveals much the same trend (32% in February and 18% in January), while visits to Ontario emergency departments for snowmobile-related injuries also peaked in February at 35%, followed by January at 28%. “The report CIHI is releasing today pulls information from several different sources to give us a clear picture of snowmobiling injuries in Canada,” says Margaret Keresteci, Manager of Clinical Registries at CIHI. “Not only can we see when these injuries tend to happen, we can also see what age group is most at risk.” The data show that young people are the most likely to sustain serious injuries in a snowmobile incident. An internationally recognized measure-the Injury Severity Score (ISS)-indicates that those under the age of 20 were treated for the most severe snowmobile-related injuries. Most of these patients sustain multiple injuries, with orthopedic injuries and head injuries the most frequently occurring traumas. In 2003–2004, those treated most often in general hospitals were between the ages of 20 and 39 years, while the most highly represented age group treated in Ontario emergency departments was 15- to 19-year-olds (16%), followed by 35- to 39-year-olds (13%). In 2000-2001, there were 137 patients admitted to specialized trauma units with severe injuries sustained in snowmobiling incidents. The next three years saw fluctuations in the numbers-down to 88 in 2001-2002, up to 103 in 2002-2003 and most recently, 101 in 2003–2004. The average length of stay in a specialized trauma hospital for these injuries in 2003-2004 was almost 11 days, which is nearly double the length of stay for admissions with less severe injuries. Over three quarters (80%) of those sustaining these injuries were male. More than one in five of these patients required respiratory support with a ventilator. While the most serious injuries are treated in specialized trauma units, general hospitals also admit many patients with injuries related to snowmobiling. There were 788 people admitted to hospitals after snowmobiling incidents in 2003-2004 and the average length of stay in hospital was six days. For these admissions, the most common injuries sustained were orthopedic (77%), followed by internal injuries (50%), and many patients were treated for multiple injuries. Alcohol often a factor in snowmobiling injuries In those cases where blood-alcohol concentration was recorded, it was a factor in almost half (49%) of the admissions for severe trauma in 2003-2004. This rate is almost double that recorded in 2000-2001 (26%). Of those with positive alcohol levels, 91% were driving the snowmobile. More than one in three (39%) of these individuals required mechanical ventilation and on average they stayed in hospital more than three times as long (33 days) as those who had no alcohol in their blood and were admitted to a specialized trauma unit with snowmobile-related injuries.
GROUP RATES FOR MEMBERS OF THE
LOOKING FOR A BETTER WAY TO PROTECT YOUR ASSETS? Drayden Insurance Ltd. has developed a program exclusively
for members of the Alberta Snowmobile Association. Exceptional coverage with
competitive pricing.
For the hundreds of snowmobilers who simply enjoy the sport, or who are from communities that depend on snowmobiling for a substantial part of their winter prosperity, the choice of lower snowmobile insurance rates through Sledder's Choice is a welcome relief - a door once again opened to the enjoyment of snowmobiling. "Save Your Dough to Ride the Snow" For more information on your Snowmobile Insurance in WI or to request a quote please contact info@clementsagency.com or fill out our online request form. |
|||||||||||||
Snowmobiling Insurance in Canada |
