U.S. Army-Baylor University Graduate Program
Academy of Health Sciences
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6100
 
12 February 2003
 
Injury Distribution During Airborne Operations: A Retrospective Study
 
MAJ Sam Haddad, MS
MAJ Dan Moroney, MS
ENS Amy Burton, MSC

 

Abstract

     The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution of injury types

 

resulting from conventional military static line parachuting operations in order to

 

assist medical support personnel and commanders in estimating and mitigating

 

jump injuries. Injuries have the greatest negative impact on military readiness. 

 

Military parachutists are at great risk for injury. Data were collected from the

 

U.S. Army Safety Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama including jump injuries for

 

the past 28 years (Jun 1974 through September 2002).

 

     Statistical analysis of this data indicates that age, body part injured, injury

 

severity and environmental conditions are predictors of injury type. The

 

following significant statistical relationships were revealed using chi-square: (1)

 

body part injured and type of injury (c2=15981.93, df=608, p=.000); (2)

 

injury severity and type of injury (c2=1711.53, df=96, p=.000); (3)

 

environmental condition and type of injury (c2=808.35, df=64, p=.000); and

 

(4) age category and type of injury (c2=239.17, df=48, p=.000). Although

 

injuries can occur any time during an airborne operation, the majority of

 

injuries are caused by ground impact. The majority of these injuries were to the

 

lower extremities totaling 54.5%. The top five injury types, in order of

 

frequency, included fractures, sprain/strains, concussions, 

 

contusions, and dislocations. These results may help commanders and medical

 

support personnel identify soldiers vulnerable to injury and help plan for

 

medical treatment and evacuation.