Watercraft injuries prompt warning

Hemant Garg and coauthors from Royal Perth Hospital, who described five severe injuries treated in just 10 days over the Christmas and New Year period last year, said these cases also showed the need for better public education on the risks of injury, especially from propellers.

Of these five cases, three involved propellers and two involved jet-skis. The authors wrote that these types of injuries tended to be severe, and often resulted in irreparable damage to limbs. Complications, including uncontrollable wound infection, were also common, they wrote.

Seven out of the 72 boat and watercraft injuries recorded in WA between 2006 and 2010 were caused by propellers. The authors also noted that there had been little progress in the design of safety features for power boats in recent years, with most of the innovations limited to fire management and warning signage around the hull.

“One maker of jet skis has developed promising features, including a ‘learner key’ which limits speed and a ‘braking’ system. Such innovations may reduce injuries, but the problem of exposed propeller remains”, the authors wrote.

They noted propeller guards – a relatively unknown idea in Australia – could reduce the risk of injury, but boat owners may be reluctant to buy them because of their potential impact on boat speed.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

The statements or opinions that are expressed in the MJA reflect the views of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the AMA or the MJA unless that is so stated.