Objectives:To show trends in paragliding injuries and derive recommendations for safety precautions for paraglider pilots on the basis of accident statistics, interviews, questionnaires, medical reports, and current stage of development of paragliding equipment.Methods:All paragliding accidents in Germany have to be reported. Information on 409 accidents was collected and analysed for the period 1997–1999.Results:There was a substantial decrease in reported accidents (166 in 1997; 127 in 1998; 116 in 1999). The number of accidents resulting in spinal injuries was 62 in 1997, 42 in 1998, and 38 in 1999. The most common cause of accident was deflation of the glider (32.5%), followed by oversteering (13.9%), collision with obstacles (12.0%), take off errors (10.3%), landing errors (13.7%), misjudgment of weather conditions (4.9%), unsatisfactory preflight checks (4.9%), mid-air collisions with other flyers (2.2%), accidents during winching (2.2%), and defective equipment (0.5%). Accidents predominantly occurred in mountain areas. Fewer than 100 flights had been logged for 40% of injured pilots. In a total of 39 accidents in which emergency parachutes were used, 10 pilots were seriously injured (26%) and an additional three were killed (8%).Conclusions:Injuries in paragliding caused by unpredictable situations can be minimised by (a) using safer gliders in the beginner or intermediate category, (b) improving protection systems, such as padded back protection, and (c) improving pilot skills through performance and safety training.

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Forty-five patients with fractures of the talus were treated operatively at the Department of Surgery in Bergmannsheil Hospital between 1989 and 1995. Of these, 21 patients were operated on the day of the accident. The Marti/Weber classification system was used: 9 fractures were type I, 12 type II, 18 type III and 6 type IV. Twenty-five neck-fractures were classified according to Hawkins (type I-6, type II-10, type III-6, type IV-3). The mean time of follow-up was 37.3 months (minimum of 12 months). One patient needed a primary and 2 other patients a secondary arthrodesis of the ankle and subtalar joint; 2 others required arthrodesis of the talonavicular joint. Eleven patients showed no complaints at follow-up. Twenty-five reported complaints only during strenuous exercise, 5 others during walking and 3 patients reported initial pain when walking. The mean time of therapy was 22.5 weeks. As a consequence of trauma, 7 patients changed their jobs. The most important prerequisites for successful surgery are early reduction and stable osteosynthesis. Residual complaints are frequently seen. The rate of avascular necrosis (8% in fractures of the neck of the talus) and the necessity for arthrodesis was significantly diminished.

This study will present trends and recommendations to increase active and passive safety in paragliding on the basis of current state-of-the-art equipment and typical patterns of injury. This German-Swiss teamwork presents data of 55 male and 9 female patients treated after paragliding accidents between 1994 to 1998 respectively 1996 to 1998. 43.7% of the pilots presented with multiple injuries, 62.5% suffered spinal fractures and 18.8% pelvic fractures. 28.4% of the injured pilots were admitted with injuries of the lower extremities mainly affecting the tarsus or the ankle joint. Only three patients with single injuries could be treated in an ambulatory setting. 54.0% of the injuries left the patients with lasting functional residues and complaints. Main causes of accidents were either pilot error in handling the paraglider or general lack of awareness about potential risk factors. 46.0% of injuries occurred during landing, 42.9% of injuries during the flight and another 11.1% of injuries during starting procedures. With noticeable enhanced performance sails of the beginners and intermediate level are increasingly popular. Protective helmets and sturdy footwear reaching above the ankle joint are indispensable pieces of equipment. The use of protective gloves is highly recommended. Back protection devices of the new generation provide the best passive prophylaxis for the pilot against pelvic and spinal cord injuries. This area hold the most promise for increasing safety and reducing risk of injury in future, apart from using beginners and intermediate wings. After acquisition of the pilot license performance and security training provide the best preparing to master unforeseeable situations.

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