2018 Trauma Awareness Month

The Society of Trauma Nurses, in collaboration with the American Trauma Society, is once again pleased to present National Trauma Awareness Month. This year, in honor of National Trauma Awareness Month's 30th anniversary, the theme will expand to cover injury prevention efforts as a whole and the concept that injury is no accident.

In celebration of the ATS's 50th anniversary we will be highlighting the important milestones in Injury Prevention efforts over the past 50 years and are make available a range of updated NTAM prevention resources from past year's campaigns (along with some new ones too).

We hope that this campaign and its materials will continue to draw attention to all injury prevention efforts and invoke change by the community. The ATS has posted these resource materials electronically for your use, not only in May, but also in the months thereafter.

We also encourage trauma centers to have a “Trauma Survivors’ Day” to reunite patients and families who have been served by the trauma center. Visit the TSN web site for the materials to plan the celebration. Click on “Get Involved”, and then National Trauma Survivors Day.

We urge you to start planning activities and make this year’s celebration the best one yet!

Jet Ski Safety
Jet Skis offer a fun and invigorating ride on the water whether it’s a lake, reservoir, bay, ocean, or river.  However, Jet Ski accidents include 26% of all registered marine vessel accidents in the U.S. It is extremely important for a ski operator to understand his/her watercraft prior to taking it on the water.  It is also an important reminder that the Jet Ski continues to travel in the same direction when the engine is off.  If the power is off, the Jet Ski will not steer. 
Key Safety Points:
·      Lifejackets:  All riders should use a properly fitted US Coast Guard –approved personal floatation device
·      Key:  Securely attach engine cutoff lanyard to your wrist or personal flotation device
·      Distractions:  Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings
·      Drinking:  Now is not a good time!
·      Safe distance:  Avoid passing to close to other vessels, splashing people, & jumping wakes
·      Swim ability:   Know your own swimming abilities/limitations
 
***Ride within your limits & allow sufficient distance To Stop***
 
General Resources 
Free Online Boating Courses by State
Jet Ski Safety Tips
SeaDoo Safety Tips
How To Ride a Jet Ski
Waterway Etiquette
Socially Responsible Use of Jet Skis
   

Golf Cart Safety
Golf cart injuries are thought to be uncommon and not often cause critical injury but statistics prove otherwise. According to Kristopher Seluga (Tampa Bay Tribune, 2012), someone dies every week from falling out of a golf cart. He notes that it is often a left turn that catapults the person from the vehicle because the passenger has nothing to hold onto and the rail on the outside acts as a fulcrum sending the person up and over often causing them to land on their head. He also notes that children are at an additional risk because they do not have the ability to brace their feet on the floorboard.
 
According to Watson, et al. (2008) hospitalization from golf cart mishaps occurs in almost 8% of total injuries with the most common cause of injury falling form the golf cart. Injuries to children account for almost 1/3 of golf cart injuries. According to Vorhies (2014), golf carts are prone to rollover and often weight up to 1,000 pounds making a passenger especially vulnerable if the vehicle rolls over and lands on the person. Golf carts do not enclose the passengers and do not often come with seatbelts. Golf carts do not have brakes on all 4 wheels which allow the vehicle to fishtail and the driver to lose control. Finally, golf carts are meant for golf courses at speeds of around 10 MPH not roadways with speeds of up to 25 MPH. 

References
Golf cart deaths more common than thought
Golf cart debacle up for debate, but here is the data to consider

Research
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18541177
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18545124

State Golf carts laws/regulations
http://wildaboutcarts.com/state-golf-cart-laws/ 

Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2q9krqVZqk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbzHF7Privw
http://www.insideedition.com/golf-cart-dangers 

General Resources
Golf Cart Safety Fundamentals
Golf Cart Safety PDF
Guidelines For Safe Use
Golf Cart Safety Training Program
  
 
Snowmobile Safety 
Snowmobiling has become a popular winter sport enjoyed by more than 2 million people of all ages in North America. However, the modern snowmobile can weigh in excess of 600 pounds and travel at speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour. Each year snowmobile accidents produce approximately 200 deaths and 14,000 injuries. Excess speed, alcohol, driver inexperience, and poor judgment are the leading causes of accidents. Injuries incurred in children and adults often are extremity fractures, but can involve any organ system. Similar to motor vehicle accidents, multi-system trauma occurs frequently with head injury the leading cause of death.  

Reference
Snowmobile Injuries in North America
 
General Resources
Snowmobile Safety Tips 
Snowmobile laws and rules by state
Snowmobile Safety Tips by the Minnesota DNR
Snowmobile Ice Safety Tips from the Minnesota DNR
Snowmobile Safety Tips from Snow Tracks
Snowmobile Safety Courses by State 

Printable PDF's
Approved ACSA Snowmobiling Hand Signals
Safe Riding is Great Riding (IASA) Booklet
Snowmobiling Do's and Don'ts
Snowmobiling & Alcohol Don't Mix

Videos
Snowmobile Inspection Checklist
 
Dirt Bike Safety
Off-roading is a recreational activity that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike, but the risk of injury is present for all when these vehicles are driven across rough and rocky terrain.

Data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that nonfatal injuries caused by dirt bike accidents increased by 1/3 in 2001 - 2004, the last period for which data is available. Injuries sustained while riding a dirt bike can be painful, life-altering or even fatal, whether racing motocross or traversing trails in the woods.

• Over 88% of patients were male
• Nearly 70% of nonfatal injuries occurred in patients 16 and under
• 12-15 year olds had the highest rate of nonfatal injury
• More than 70% of accidents were in a natural setting, vs. 20% in motocross
• Motocross accidents led to more instances of hospitalization vs. natural settings
• Almost 9% of motocross accidents involved jumping maneuvers
• About 5% of motocross accidents involved another off-road vehicle