Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Dive and swim safely

Spinal cord injuries rise during summer months

Longer daylight hours, activities around water and increased travel are part of any summer. Yet they also prove to be the cause of more spinal cord injuries from May to August, with July being the highest-ranking month, according to U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

"There's no question, we see more spinal cord as well as brain injuries resulting from motorcycle and ATV accidents, diving into shallow water, ladder falls and even violence during the summer months," said David Apple, M.D., medical director of Atlanta-based Shepherd Center, which specializes in treating people with brain and spinal cord injuries. "It's unfortunate because most of the injuries, that often leave patients paralyzed and unable to walk, could be prevented through general safety awareness."

Dr. Apple says jumping into water feet first, wearing seat belts, and avoiding alcohol consumption while driving, swimming or playing sports are simple ways of preventing life-altering spinal cord injuries.

Each year, 11,000 new spinal cord injuries are reported, 55 percent of which occur in young adults 16-30 years old and 81 percent in males.

Feet-first, first time

Memorial day weekend often marks the day of most community pool openings. Yet at least 1,000 new injuries are reported each year from recreational diving. Nearly 90 percent of these injuries result in quadriplegia, meaning little or no movement or feeling below the neck.

"People often dive head-first when going into the water for the first time, said Dr. Apple. "But if the water is too shallow, your head can hit the bottom of the pool or lake with such force that it breaks the neck and damages the spinal cord. Worse yet, if the swimmer is unable to move or call for help, he can drown."

He recommends swimmers jump in the water with their feet-first for the first time. This allows you to determine the depth of the water and decide whether it is too shallow to dive. He also offers the following safety tips to prevent diving injuries this summer:

Always test the water's depth before diving. Water should be at least nine feet deep for diving.

Check the water for obstacles on the surface or underwater debris.

Never dive in unfamiliar areas. Remember, lake and river bottom depths can change from year to year. Three out of four diving accidents occur in such natural bodies of water.

Don't dive off the side of a pool, the side of a diving board, a slide or a fence.

Never dive into an above-ground pool.

Avoid the use of alcohol or drugs around water. Diving requires precise coordination and distance judgement skills that can be impaired by alcohol and drugs.

When diving, make your dives simple, keeping your head up and your arms extended over your head.

Never push or throw anyone into the water.

Don't swim alone. Use the buddy system.

Take a water safety and CPR course so you can take action if there ever is an emergency.

If a diving or swimming accident occurs and the diver shows no sign of movement, Dr. Apple says gently take the victim out of the water face up. Yet, you should not attempt a rescue beyond your swimming capabilities. Once the victim is on level ground, immediately call 911 and begin CPR, if needed.

Shepherd Center in Atlanta is a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in the care of people with spinal cord injury and disease, acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis and other neuromuscular disorders and urological problems. The Center houses the largest model spinal cord injury program in the country, the largest brain injury rehabilitation program in Georgia and an official Multiple Sclerosis Center, designated by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Georgia Society. Serving the Southeast since 1975, the 100-bed specialty hospital offers a continuum of health care services, from intensive care through rehabilitation, transitional care, day program and outpatient services.