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  • Title: [Snowmobile injuries in Svalbard].
    Author: Ytterstad B, Dahlberg T.
    Journal: Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen; 2005 Dec 01; 125(23):3252-5. PubMed ID: 16327847.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: The use of snowmobiles is extensive in Svalbard's arctic environment, for residents as well as for visitors. Snowmobile accidents may cause high energy trauma. An earlier study has documented high snowmobile injury rates in Svalbard, particularly for visitors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During five years, from March 1997, all patients injured in snowmobile accidents were registered according to the Nordic system with variables relevant for prevention. An injury prevention programme was initiated and implemented through multidisciplinary approaches involving media as well as non-medical organisations and public authorities. Active as well as passive interventions were used. Local injury data were used for accident analysis, targeting of interventions and outcome evaluation in terms of injury rates. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: 181 injured persons were registered. The injury rates for visitors were 70/1000 vehicles/year. This is fourfold the rates for Svalbard residents and 14 times the rate for Kiruna in Swedish Lappland. Nine out of ten injuries occurred during leisure driving and eight out of ten occurred between March and May. Peak injury frequency for visitors was in the age group 30-39 and for residents in the age group 20-29. The injury rates for both visitors and residents were stable over the period. There were four fatalities. The high injury risk for visitors is attributed to lack of the experience and ability necessary for mastering a powerful machine in a harsh climate and an arctic terrain with glaciers, steep mountains and fjords. The prevention programme had limited effect. A new and enhanced injury prevention programme may draw on the experiences from this study and should include alcohol as a variable.
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