Diving Accidents Are Preventable

During the summer, it seems that some children spend as much time in the water as out of it. One of the worst injuries imaginable -- paralysis caused by diving into water -- happens far too often to both kids and adults.

Every single such injury from diving is preventable. The bottom line is -- never dive.

Most diving injuries are to the cervical spine. As you prepare to dive, you bend your head forward. This weakens the spine by stretching neck ligaments. Upon impact, the spine will dislocate, fracture and tear the spinal column, often causing paralysis.

We see 50-60 paralyzing spinal injuries from diving each year in Wisconsin. That is far more than you would expect given the population, but it does reflect the number of lakes in the state and our love for water.

What is particularly worrisome this year is that lake water levels are significantly lower than usual. Sturgeon Bay in Lake Michigan, for example, is about three feet lower than normal, and most inland lakes are 10 to 16 inches lower.

What that means is when people go to their lake cottages, the water depth at their pier is going to be substantially less than they remember. If they don't recognize that the water levels are lower, they risk serious injury when diving.

Before diving into a natural body of water, always walk in and check the depth. Remove any debris below, then measure and mark the depth so everyone knows the best place to dive.

Few home pools are deep enough to dive safely. Five or six feet of water is the absolute minimum. The other danger of a home pool with other swimmers nearby is that you may dive and accidentally land on someone else.

Ingesting alcohol or drugs can hinder good judgment about diving or make you less coordinated and more prone to fall. Avoid running and horseplay near water. It's amazing how many people suffer spinal cord injuries when they slip on tile when running near a swimming pool. And never throw someone into the pool head first.

If you are with someone when they suffer a diving injury, make sure they are breathing properly. Two or three people should work together to carefully flip the individual on his or her back while maintaining head and neck alignment. Call emergency personnel immediately. Get the individual out of the water, preferably on a board with the neck braced, and perform CPR if necessary.

Dennis Maiman, MD, PhD
Professor of Neurosurgery
Medical College of Wisconsin

Medical Director
Spinal Cord Injury Center at Froedtert Hospital

Each year, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians care for more than 180,000 patients, representing nearly 500,000 patient visits. Medical College physicians practice at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and many other hospitals and clinics in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.