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Aquatic and Beach-Related Trauma Injuries Have Doubled Since Last Year, AtlantiCare Says

Spinal injuries are among the leading cases this summer.

Since Memorial Day, aquatic injuries have more than doubled since last year at this time, and the Trauma Center is on track to record its largest number of such injuries, the medical center said in a release issued Friday, Aug. 3.

According to Monica Titus, MBA, BSN, RN, director of the AtlantiCare Neurosciences Institute and the AtlantiCare Regional Trauma Center, spinal cord injuries are the most common traumatic injuries the center has seen this year, with eight coming during the last week of July alone.

According to Kimberly Schunk, RN, BSN, program manager, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Trauma Center, the severity of the injuries range, but some are very serious. Some cases involve paralysis, Schunk said during a phone interview Friday afternoon.

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“Last year, we had 11 aquatic injuries,” Schunk said. “This year, we’ve had 24.

“I think it has a lot to do with the hot weather. We have lower gas prices and more people are coming to the beach. The waves are bigger and stronger than usual.”

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The 24 water injuries this year are part of over 400 trauma injuries the Trauma Center has treated over the course of the year, according to statistics provided by the medical center.

“In addition to the beach and water-related spinal cord injuries treated in the last week, the Trauma Center has cared for patients suffering from concussions to traumatic brain injuries, chest and abdominal injuries to the kidney, liver and spleen,” said Alexander Axelrad, MD, medical director, Trauma, ARMC in the release. “Body surfing is the most common activity that can result in traumatic injury. Powerful waves can thrust your head to the ground, causing neck injuries, paralysis or even death. Boogie boarding, boating and personal watercraft accidents can also cause serious or fatal injuries.”

Patients have ranged in age from 12 to 69 years old.

Schunk said the Trauma Center is well-staffed at all times, so the high number of injuries has not presented a strain.

“We’re constantly staffing up and down as needs require,” Schunk said. “That’s part of our routine. We’re prepared.”

AtlantiCare has also joined with lifeguards over the last three years in an effort to educate the public about traumatic injuries. AtlantiCare hosted the third annual Lifeguards Safe Attitude and Valiant Efforts (SAVE) event on June 27 of this year at the Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point. More than 50 lifeguards attended that event and listened to guest speakers, including Ciro Randazzo, MD, MPH, AtlantiCare Neurosciences Institute and assistant professor of Neurological Surgery, Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University.

The summer of 2012 is on track to be one of the hottest on record nationwide. There are people who believe this is the beginning of a weather pattern the country is likely to see for a few

Schunk, however, didn’t predict what future weather patterns will look like or what the results of those patterns may be.

The Trauma Center offered the following tips in its release for those taking a trip down the shore this summer:

 ALWAYS:

  • Heed lifeguards’ warnings.
  • Swim in only lifeguard protected waters.
  • Check wave conditions before hitting the water.
  • Avoid big or rough waves and waves breaking into shallow water close to shore.
  • Keep your arms over your head to protect it from hitting the ocean floor.
  • Ride the surf at an angle to the waves, rather than in a straight line toward the shore.
  • Body surf with a partner.
  • Know your beach and surf – be aware of rocks, jetties and sandbanks.
  • Keep your eye on children.
  • Practice courtesy and safety – stay clear of other bathers and be watchful of others. 

NEVER:

  • Never swim or surf at night.
  • Never run and dive into the surf.
  • Never dive into a shallow pool.
  • Never combine alcohol with body surfing or other water or summer activities.

“We want the local residents of our community and our visitors to enjoy the beaches, the ocean, water-sports, and all the fun southern New Jersey has to offer, but we want them to do so safely,” Randazzo said.


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