Dirt Bikes Research Articles

Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly by Conrad Wesselhoeft (review)

Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly by Conrad Wesselhoeft (review)

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Introduction: Off road recreational vehicles have gained considerable popularity. With such a broad range of individuals putting themselves at potential risk, the need for additional insight into the epidemiology of ATV/DB injuries becomes more apparent. This review attempts to describe the characteristics of patients injured in these off road recreational vehicles. Methods: Retrospective review from 4/2007-3/2012 was performed on all ATV/DB crash victims requiring admission to a trauma center(TC). Study population was analyzed in relation to demographics, type of vehicles, helmet protection use, substance abuse, injury severity, injury type, surgical procedures, length of stay and outcome. Associations between type of vehicle and other studied variables were evaluated. Results: Total patients admitted with ATV and Dirt Bike crashes were 108 (60 ATV, 48 DB). Male sex predominated with 93%.The age ranged between 13-53 years. No seasonal variation occurred. Alcohol and illicit drug use was seen in 17 patients,all males. Mean ISS were similar in ATV (10.4) & DB (10.7), significantly lower in females (6.0).LOS were similar 3.93 (ATV), 4.10 (DB). 21% were admitted to ICU with 47% requiring mechanical ventilation. 60% of DB wore helmets as opposed to only 45% of ATV riders. 43% underwent surgical procedures, 68% by orthopedics. Most common injuries included concussions 38,rib fractures 26, pneumothorax 19, lung contusion 17, facial fractures 15 and femur fractures 12. 92% were discharged home and one mortality occurred. Conclusions: Recreational vehicles have increased in popularity,it remains a low trauma center admission.A predominant male recreational activity, suffers from increased risk taking by abuse of alcohol and drugs. DB are more apt in wearing helmets, possibly related to a younger cohort and parental supervision. Off road recreational vehicle crashes can result in significant injury and often require TC intervention.

Dirt bikes injuries in children

Dirt bike riding is becoming a more popular recreational activity among children. Injuries associated with this recreational activity did not gain attention in the medical literature. The purpose of this study is to assess orthopedic injuries associated with dirt bike riding. We retrospectively studied injuries occurring in children less than 18 years old, while riding dirt bikes, that required admission to the trauma department in our level one trauma center during the period 2000-2010. There were 24 admissions (23 patients). The mean age was 13. Fourteen patients had brain injuries. Six patients had abdominal injuries. One patient died shortly after arriving to the emergency department. Fourteen patients had face and neck injuries. The average injury severity score was 8.5. Thirteen patients' admissions (54%) had orthopedic fractures. Five of 13 patients (38%) suffered more than one fracture. Eight patients needed orthopedic intervention (seven of these were in operating room under general anesthesia and one in the emergency department under conscious sedation). Femur fracture was the most common cause for performing surgery in this group of patients. Riding dirt bikes is not a safe recreational activity. Orthopedic injuries constitute a major component of the injuries affecting children riding dirt bikes. Orthopedic surgeons (being responsible for treating most of these children) have the obligation to warn the community against the possible dangers facing children who ride dirt bikes.

Motorized Dirt Bike Injuries in Children

BackgroundThe number of dirt bike injuries in children in the United States is increasing and poses a public health problem. ObjectiveThe purpose of our study was to identify the imaging patterns of dirt bike injuries in children and associations with morbidity and mortality. MethodsThe study included 85 children (83 boys, 2 girls) <18 year of age (mean age 12.3 years, standard deviation 3 years) with dirt bike injury treated at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Imaging studies and hospital medical records were reviewed. Outcomes were classified into the following categories: short-term disability, long-term disability or no follow-up available. Imaging studies were reviewed for head, torso, and extremity injuries. One-tailed z test for two proportions was used to determine significant differences between various proportions. Chi-square test with Yates correction was used to determine the significance of long-term disability with injury type. ResultsLong bone fractures were the most common injuries. Lower extremity fractures accounted for 79% of extremity fractures and were significantly more common than upper extremity fractures (p = 0.001). Head injuries included fractures (n = 9), brain contusion (n = 5), and meningeal hemorrhage (n = 2). Head injury was associated with long-term disability (p < 0.0001). All torso injuries were solitary. ConclusionsLong-term disability was associated with head injuries but not with torso or extremity injuries. Lower extremity injuries were significantly more common than upper extremity injuries. Torso solid organ injuries were uniformly solitary.

Contributions to atmospheric dust production of natural and anthropogenic emissions in a recreational area designated for off-road vehicular activity (Nellis Dunes, Nevada, USA)

Wind erosion measurements and experiments with off-road vehicles (ORV) were conducted in the Nellis Dunes Recreation Area (NDRA) near Las Vegas, Nevada. Wind erosion was measured during one complete year. ORV emissions were measured for 3 types of vehicles (dirt bikes, dune buggies, 4-wheelers) and for various driving speeds up to 56kmh−1. This study investigates the mutual contributions of wind erosion and ORV in the total emission of dust in NDRA. The highest emissions generated by wind erosion occur in the sandy areas, and especially in the sand dunes. These areas produce only very little dust during ORV driving. By far the most ORV dust is generated in areas of silt and rock-covered silt, where protective surface crusts and surficial rock layers are destroyed by the driving and large reservoirs of emittable dust are available in the top layer. On an annual basis the amounts of dust produced in NDRA are almost equal for wind erosion and ORV. Management in the NDRA is complicated by the intense wind erosion in the sand dunes. Even while ORV driving does not create significant emissions in these areas, drivers can potentially inhale large amounts of dust produced locally by wind erosion.

Borderlands: Riding the Edge of AmericaDerekLundy. Toronto: Alfred A. Knopf of Canada, 2010.

Borderlands: Riding Edge of America Derek Lundy. Toronto: Alfred A. Knopf of 2010.Derek Lundy has explored one of least-examined, most mysterious, and unpredictably changing areas in world, borderlands, parts of United States adjacent to Mexico and Canada (not including Alaskan-Canadian border). He did so in one of most exciting ways possible, alone by motorcycle, and with a bike that likely would cause anyone familiar with cycles to ask why top-heavy Kawasaki KLR 650? Why a single-cylinder 'thumper' that is inherently less smooth than a multi-cylinder engine? Lundy, himself, describes his choice in bikes as butt ugly.The answer becomes clear: Lundy's route at times would take him through conditions that would demanded great torque, or pulling power, and a large cylinder tends to provide torque in abundance. He knew he would need a dependable machine with off-road capability. The KLR 650, in terms both of weight and balance, is about at maximum size for a dirt bike, yet is acceptable for highway use and sufficient for touring. His choice served him well.Also serving him and his readers well was his background as an Irish-Canadian. Lundy was close enough to Americans to relate to them, but could bring fresh eyes with which to view conditions that they might find less than clear - even if they are among minority who experiences most drastic examples directly.Certainly borders were different from one another, but each had seen drastic change. Lundy notes pervasive sentiment that America is under siege, and consequent hostility toward immigrants. The result was rise of minu temen, stereotypes, misinformation, and danger that bubbled not far beneath surface. Common sentiments included Mexicans are all drug-runners, and the 9-11 terrorists all came from Canada, you're all liberals up there, or socialists. Especially along Mexican border, Lundy over and over was warned away by officials as being in restricted, although unmarked, areas. Numerous times he was searched simply for being where authorities thought his presence to be questionable.Along northern border, Lundy found locations where road wandered into, and out of, each country, with little or no control over entry - at least for moment. Conversely, he found many communities that had long traditions of cross-border culture that were being drastically wrenched by new controls and restrictions on border crossings. …

Ankle And Heel Pain - Dirt Bike Rider

HISTORY: 28-year-old male with history of chronic hepatitis C complains of left ankle and bilateral heel pain for the past month causing difficulties with walking. The pain started shortly after he rode his dirt bike for hours without wearing his protective foot gear. During this time he also developed bilateral knee effusions. No other complaints including low back, hip or knee pain, numbness or tingling sensation of the lower extremities. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Large left ankle effusion with palpable warmth, slight erythema, non-specific tenderness, and limited range of motion (ROM) to 10' dorsiflexion, 20' plantarflexion. Moderate right ankle effusion without warmth or eythema, mild tenderness. Significant tenderness to palpation bilaterally over the calcaneus medial tubercle and longitudinal arch at the proximal plantar fascia. Pain worsened by passive ankle dorsiflexion. Moderate bilateral knee effusions without tenderness to palpation, full ROM. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: 1. Traumatic injury of the lower extremities (stress fracture, sprain) 2. Rheumatologic condition (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Reactive Arthritis) 3. Septic Arthritis 4. Hepatitis C Cryoglobulinemia with associated arthritis TEST AND RESULTS: Left foot X-ray (official reading): Small subtle area of periosteal reaction at the medial aspect of the distal 2nd metatarsal shaft raises the possibility of stress reaction. Correlate with clinical presentation. Normal CBC, Creatinine, U/A, Uric Acid, TSH, AST, ALT, Bilirubin, Albumin Negative Gonorrhea (urine), HIV, Hep B, RPR, ANA, RF, anti CCP, Lyme antibodies Positive Chlamydia (urine) and HLA B-27 Elevated Sed Rate (103), CRP (12.6) Knee joint aspirate: WBC 4554 N 46% L 54%, no crystals, negative culture for bacteria & yeast FINAL WORKING DIAGNOSIS: Reactive arthritis TREATMENT AND OUTCOMES: 1. Doxycycline Hyclate 100 mg two times a day for 3 months. 2. Indomethacin 50 mg three times daily 3. Rheumatologic Consult 4. Patient overall condition slowly improved over the course of 4 months. 5. Persistent bilateral plantar fasciitis persisted despite conservative management with marked improvement after steroid injections.

Traumatic Knee Pain

[Ann Emerg Med. 2009;53:403.] A 19-year-old man presented after riding a 125-cc dirt bike. While accelerating, the bike slipped out from underneath him, and he fell onto his left side. He presented with pain in his left knee after his flexed knee went into extreme varus alignment. His physical examination result was notable for diffuse left knee swelling, ecchymosis of medial knee, and a large intraarticular knee effusion. Patellar apprehension test result was negative, and the Lachman's test result was positive. Knee motion was limited from –8 to 60 degrees of flexion. There was a firm endpoint with posterior drawer testing at the above mentioned flexion angle. The remainder of the ligamentous knee examination was limited as a result of pain and guarding. Radiographs were obtained (Figure 1). The Segond fracture is a small vertical avulsion injury of the lateral aspect of the proximal tibia immediately distal to the tibial plateau. The mechanism of injury is an axial load on a semiflexed knee, with internal rotation and varus stress.1Davis D.S. Post W.R. Segond fracture: lateral capsular ligament avulsion.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1997; 25: 103-106Crossref PubMed Scopus (35) Google Scholar, 2Irvine G.B. Dias J.J. Finlay D.B.L. Segond fractures of the lateral tibial condyle: brief report.J Bone Joint Surg. 1987; 69-B: 613-614Google Scholar The fracture has a strong association with an anterior cruciate ligament tear (75% to 100%), as well as meniscal injury (67% to 75%)3Dietz G.W. Wilcox D.M. Montgomery J.B. Segond tibial condyle fracture: lateral capsular ligament avulsion.Radiology. 1986; 159: 467-469PubMed Google Scholar, 4Goldman A.B. Pavlov H. Rubenstein D. The Segond fracture of the proximal tibia: a small avulsion that reflects major ligamentous damage.AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1988; 151: 1163-1167Crossref PubMed Scopus (172) Google Scholar, 5Bathala E.A. Bancroft L.W. Ortiguera C.J. et al.Radiologic case study Segond fracture.Orthopedics. 2007; 30 (688): 689PubMed Google Scholar, 6Weber W.N. Neumann C.H. Barakos J.A. et al.Lateral tibial rim (Segond) fractures: MR imaging characteristics.Radiology. 1991; 180: 731-734PubMed Google Scholar (Figure 2). A hemarthrosis is commonly present.3Dietz G.W. Wilcox D.M. Montgomery J.B. Segond tibial condyle fracture: lateral capsular ligament avulsion.Radiology. 1986; 159: 467-469PubMed Google Scholar Clinically, signs of anterior instability such as a positive pivot-shift test result, Lachman's test, and anterior draw sign may be present.5Bathala E.A. Bancroft L.W. Ortiguera C.J. et al.Radiologic case study Segond fracture.Orthopedics. 2007; 30 (688): 689PubMed Google Scholar The most specific clinical test is the pivot-shift test, but false-negative results may occur from a locked knee or guarding.4Goldman A.B. Pavlov H. Rubenstein D. The Segond fracture of the proximal tibia: a small avulsion that reflects major ligamentous damage.AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1988; 151: 1163-1167Crossref PubMed Scopus (172) Google Scholar Furthermore, physical examination (Lachman's and anterior draw test) to evaluate the function of the anterior cruciate ligament may be unreliable as result of pain, hamstring resistance, or effusion.7Kerr H.D. Segond fracture, hemarthrosis, and anterior cruciate ligament disruption.J Emerg Med. 1990; 8: 29-33Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar Radiographically, the bone fragment is located on the lateral edge of the tibial condyle and is best visualized on the anterior-posterior view. The Segond fragment, seen on plain radiograph, is identified by magnetic resonance imaging only in one third of cases.6Weber W.N. Neumann C.H. Barakos J.A. et al.Lateral tibial rim (Segond) fractures: MR imaging characteristics.Radiology. 1991; 180: 731-734PubMed Google Scholar Although magnetic resonance imaging is not sensitive in the detection of the Segond fracture fragment, it is useful in demonstrating associated ligamentous and meniscal injuries.6Weber W.N. Neumann C.H. Barakos J.A. et al.Lateral tibial rim (Segond) fractures: MR imaging characteristics.Radiology. 1991; 180: 731-734PubMed Google Scholar Management entails elevation, ice application, crutches, knee immobilization, and prompt orthopedic referral.7Kerr H.D. Segond fracture, hemarthrosis, and anterior cruciate ligament disruption.J Emerg Med. 1990; 8: 29-33Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar Consideration should be given to drainage of tense effusions for pain relief.

Kenyon Kluge Zero to 60

Kenyon Kluge grabs a leather jacket from his office and heads down the stairs to the manufacturing floor at Zero Motorcycles, a maker of high-performance, all-electric dirt bikes. He stops to take a pair of knee-high boots, a helmet, and gloves from a shelf and then hoists a gleaming new Zero X dirt bike off its rack.

Motorized Obsessions: Life, Liberty, and the Small-Bore Engine by Paul R. Josephson

124 MichiganHistoricalReview they closed themill. I just couldn't believe it. . . .Boxes and boxes of our history.Why didn't they leave ithere" (p. 117)? Although CorporateWasteland would benefit from a formal conclusion drawing the oral histories and earlier discussions of the culture and aesthetics of deindustrialization together, this book is a timely contribution to thehistory of deindustrialization andmidwestern regional history. In addition, the bibliography and notes following the textprovide a good introduction to the literature associated with deindustrialization. What High and Lewis recognize is thatwhile change is inevitable, progress is not. Rather, progress is determined bywhat direction change takes, and this is the question at the core of CorporateWasteland. Will we continue to allow corporate and finance capitalism to use up and desert people and places, leaving environmental and employment wastelands in their wake? Or will we at least attempt to regulate thenature and direction of change toward a greater common good? Significandy, today's economic crises indicate thatmembers of themiddle class are not as far removed from the vulnerability of theAmerican and Canadian industrial laborers documented by High and Lewis in CorporateWasteland as their historical memory and understanding might indicate. Pamela C. Edwards Shepherd University Shepherdstown, West Virginia Paul R. Josephson. Motorized Obsessions:Ufe, Liberty, and theSmall-bore Engine. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007. Pp. 258. Appendix. Index. Notes. Cloth, $22.00. Paul R. Josephson's wide-ranging history of small-bore engines explores the environmental and public-health effects associated with the technology used to power these engines. Josephson's original interest in both nature and technology encouraged him to examine how all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and personal watercraft (PWCs) and other types of motorized recreation have changed over time, leading to Americans' obsession with these gadgets and vehicles. PWCs include Jet Skis, ATVs encompass Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs), and Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) comprise dirt bikes, motorcycles, jeeps, and dune buggies. Motorized Obsessions describes how small-bore engines powering everything from lawnmowers to recreational vehicles can not only bring disorder to the ecosystem but also injure people. Josephson suggests that Book Reviews125 starting from small beginnings in the early twentieth century, recreational vehicles "have become a fixture of theAmerican lifestyle" (p. 1). The author recalls the history and development of earlymodels of motorized vehicles. For example, as early as 1934 much larger and slower snowmobiles than the ones produced today were invented to provide needed transportation in the winter. By the 1970s and 1980s, the production ofATVs foruse in the desert or on ranches expanded quickly. Josephson also connects higher education with the development of recreational vehicles. In 2005 university students from theUnited States and Canada competed at the Clean Snowmobile Challenge held at Michigan Technological University to design and build "a clean, quiet, high performance snowmobile" (p. 52). Recendy the Society of Automotive Engineers encouraged Michigan Tech to continue its efforts. Josephson relates the story of David Johnson and Ed Hinteen of Minnesota and J.A. Bombardier of Quebec Province as theyattempted to develop a motorized vehicle (p. 35). These three men envisioned a snowmobile that would end the isolation of thewinter months and facilitate emergency response. Bombardier's inspiration to create such a snowmobile developed afterhis son died when he could not receive needed medical care during the winter. Although early snowmobile improvements were designed formachines used in remote rural settings, these vehicles became more widely available as an alternativemeans ofwinter transportation. Josephson suggests that improvements in snowmobile technology spread to encompass motorized recreation vehicles and were often prompted by environmental concerns. Coupled with increased American prosperity and new marketing schemes, these changes helped transform suchmachines into vehicles used for leisure and amusement. By the late 1960s, motorized recreation became a year-round activity for those who could afford it and began to negatively affect diverse ecosystems. Woodlands, grasslands, arid regions, as well as beachfront environments were transformed by the invasion of ATVs and PWCs. Motorized recreation vehicles ruined vegetation, disturbed animals and birds, and caused severe soil erosion. In addition to environmental damage, Josephson also reviews medical journals to explain how ATVs and PWCs negatively affect public health. Motorized Obsessions highlights thework of numerous local, state, and federal agencies monitoring ATVs and...

Dust emission by off-road driving: Experiments on 17 arid soil types, Nevada, USA

Field experiments were conducted in Nellis Dunes Recreational Area (Clark County, Nevada, USA) to investigate emission of dust produced by off-road driving. Experiments were carried out with three types of vehicles: 4-wheelers (quads), dirt bikes (motorcycles) and dune buggies, on 17 soil types characteristic for a desert environment. Tests were done at various driving speeds, and emissions were measured for a large number of grain size fractions. This paper reports the results for two size fractions of emissions: PM10 (particles < 10 μm) and PM60 (particles < 60 μm). The latter was considered in this study to be sufficiently representative of the total suspendable fraction (TSP). Off-road driving was found to be a significant source of dust. However, the amounts varied greatly with the type of soil and the characteristics of the top layer. Models predicting emission of dust by off-road driving should thus consider a number of soil parameters and not just one key parameter. Vehicle type and driving speed are additional parameters that affect emission. In general, 4-wheelers produce more dust than dune buggies, and dune buggies, more than dirt bikes. Higher speeds also result in higher emissions. Dust emitted by off-road driving is less coarse than the parent sediment on the road surface. Off-road driving thus results in a progressive coarsening of the top layer. Exceptions to this are silty surfaces with no, or almost no, vegetation. For such surfaces no substantial differences were observed between the grain size distribution of road dust and emitted dust. Typical emission values for off-road driving on dry desert soils are: for sandy areas, 30–40 g km − 1 (PM10) and 150–250 g km − 1 (TSP); for silty areas, 100–200 g km − 1 (PM10) and 600–2000 g km − 1 (TSP); for drainages, 30–40 g km − 1 (PM10) and 100–400 g km − 1 (TSP); and for mixed terrain, 60–100 g km − 1 (PM10) and 300–800 g km − 1 (TSP). These values are for the types of vehicles tested in this study and do not refer to cars or trucks, which produce significantly more dust.

The dirt on bikes: an illustration of CART models for brand differentiation

Purpose – The primary purpose of this study is to illustrate a statistical method to identify product attributes that differentiate branded products from those of competitors. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use classification and regression tree (CART) models in an analysis of observable characteristics of a mature category of relatively complex products, dirt bikes. Findings – The authors show how the CART model can be used as a tool for identifying brand differences and to summarize product categories in terms of these key differences. Research limitations/implications – The work focuses on physical specifications of the products at one point in time. An important area for future extensions will be to incorporate consumer utility into the analysis. Practical implications – The approach will offer value to brand managers and product managers who have a goal of maintaining the alignment of the brand with the underlying observable differentiation of the branded products. The approach can also serve as the basis for a product/brand performance report (similar to consumer reports) by identifying a select set of product characteristics that differ across brands. Originality/value – Products serve as influential sources of information about a brand's identity. To the extent that observable product characteristics do not match brand claims, consumers may question the brand's authenticity. Although for some products it may be a reasonably simple task to identify the set of observable product attributes that have implications for the brand identity, the task can be challenging for many products. The authors employ an analysis technique to reveal product characteristics that are consistent within brand product lines but that differ across brands.

The Dirt Bike Knee Injury

The Dirt Bike Knee Injury

Motorized obsessions: life, liberty, and the small-bore engine

From dirt bikes and jet skis to weed wackers and snowblowers, machines powered by small gas engines have become a permanent-and loud-fixture in American culture. But fifty years of high-speed fun and pristine lawns have not come without cost. In the first comprehensive history of the small-bore engine and the technology it powers, Paul R. Josephson explores the political, environmental, and public health issues surrounding one of America's most dangerous pastimes. Each chapter tells the story of an ecosystem within the United States and the devices that wreak havoc on it-personal watercraft (PWCs) on inland lakes and rivers; all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in deserts and forests; lawn mowers and leaf blowers in suburbia. In addition to environmental impacts, Josephson discusses the development and promotion of these technologies, the legal and regulatory efforts made to improve their safety and environmental soundness, and the role of owners' clubs in encouraging responsible operation. Synthesizing information from medical journals, recent environmental research, nongovernmental organizations, and manufacturers, Josephson's compelling history leads to one irrefutable conclusion: these machines cannot be operated without loss of life and loss of habitat.

Children with a solitary kidney should avoid riding dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles

Children with a solitary kidney should avoid riding dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles

Dirt Bikes and All Terrain Vehicles: The Real Threat to Pediatric Kidneys

Recent reviews show that bicycles are the major cause of significant renal injury with few injuries occurring during contact sports. All-terrain vehicles are also responsible for significant pediatric renal trauma. We determined whether dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles cause more significant renal injuries than contact sports. A retrospective review of our pediatric trauma database revealed 115 consecutive patients treated for renal trauma from 2000 to 2005. A total of 20 bicycle injuries occurred, including 6 on dirt bikes. A total of 13 all-terrain vehicle injuries occurred, including 4 involving rollovers. A total of 12 contact sport injuries occurred, including 2 during pick-up games. The mean grade of renal injury was compared among the mechanisms, with grades III-V considered high grade. In descending order of renal injury the mechanisms were dirt bike (2.8), all-terrain vehicle rollover (2.8), bicycle (2.3), all-terrain vehicle (2.1), contact sports (1.8) and organized contact sports (1.4). Dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicle rollovers caused significantly greater renal trauma than organized contact sports (2.8 vs 1.4, p = 0.007 and 0.02, respectively), whereas overall bicycle and all-terrain vehicle accidents resulted in similar renal trauma grades compared to those of all contact sports. The 2 high grade renal injuries during contact sports occurred during pick-up football games without protective gear. Physician advice regarding children with a solitary kidney should include avoiding dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles. Efforts to limit all-terrain vehicle use in children younger than 16 years would decrease the risk of significant renal injury in this population more effectively than limiting contact sports participation.

A 9-year-old Boy With Paresthesias in His Hands and Weak Handgrips Following a Dirt Bike Crash

Mary C. Kamienski, Northern Chapter, New Jersey ENA, is Director, Center for Lifelong Learning, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Nursing, Newark, NJ. For correspondence, write: Mary C. Kamienski, 47 Main Rd, Montville, NJ 07045; E-mail: drmaryrn@aol.com. J Emerg Nurs 2007;33:242-4. Available online 16 February 2007. 0099-1767/$32.00 Copyright n 2007 by the Emergency Nurses Association. doi: 10.1016/j.jen.2006.11.015

No License Required: Severe Pediatric Motorbike-Related Injuries in Ohio

Motorbikes (MBs), including motorcycles and dirt bikes, are becoming increasingly popular among children and adolescents. MBs are intended for off-road use. Although children who are younger than 16 years cannot be licensed to drive cars, they can drive MBs off-road without licenses. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiology of severe MB injuries to children who are younger than 16 years in Ohio. Eight hospitals that admit the majority of pediatric trauma patients in Ohio were approached to participate. Cases were identified using hospital trauma registries and were defined as any hospitalized child who was younger than 16 years and sustained MB injuries between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2001. Six hospitals participated. A total of 182 children were hospitalized with a mean age of 11.4 years (range: <1-15 years). A total of 89.6% were male, 89.0% were white, 68.7% had commercial medical insurance, and 71.4% were from urban areas. From 1995 to 1997, there were an average of 20 annual admissions; however, from 1998 to 2001, there were an average of 30 per year. Of the 85% of patients with injury events documented, 35.5% were riding in streets and 53.3% were unhelmeted. One patient died; 8 required rehabilitation. The mean injury severity score was 9.9 (median: 9), and mean length of hospitalization was 4.6 days (median: 3). Unhelmeted riders had significantly higher injury severity scores than helmeted ones (11.5 vs 8.4). The difference in mean length of hospitalization of unhelmeted compared with helmeted riders approached statistical significance (6.1 vs 3.7 days). Of the 163 patients with documented diagnoses, there were 510 injuries; 68.7% of patients sustained multiple injuries. Of all injuries, the most commonly injured body parts were lower extremity (23.4%), head (22.2%), abdomen/pelvis (13.4%), upper extremity (12.4%), and face (11.8%). The most common injuries were fractures (37.1%), abrasions/contusions (24.4%), lacerations (13.4%), intracranial injuries (7.5%), and solid abdominal organ injuries (7.5%). Central and Southwest Ohio had higher numbers of hospitalized injuries than other areas. Urban, white boys with commercial medical insurance predominated among children with MB-related injuries in Ohio. Most injured children did not wear a helmet and sustained multiple injuries. Not wearing a helmet resulted in significantly increased injury severity and a trend toward increased lengths of stay in the hospital. MB-related injuries increased by approximately 50% during the study period. Children should not operate MBs until they are old enough to obtain a motor vehicle driver's license, which occurs at a minimum of 16 years of age. High-risk populations need to be targeted to reduce these injuries, and requiring helmet use while operating MBs should be pursued.

Lost child

Lost child

Pulmonary health risk

Off-road vehicles (ORVs; this includes snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles or ATVs and dirt bikes) were once used primarily for work and travel. Such use remains common in Canada, although their recreational use has also gained popularity in recent years. An epidemiological injury profile of ORV users is important for better understanding injuries and their risk factors to help inform injury prevention initiatives. The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) partnered with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to analyze the epidemiology of ORV-related injuries. The primary aim was to assess crashes and injuries in Canada, including the extent of alcohol involvement. Secondly, the burden of injury among children and teen ORV drivers in Canada, as well as passengers, was investigated. Descriptive and inferential epidemiological statistics were generated using the following data sources: first, TIRF’s National Fatality Database, which is a comprehensive, pan-Canadian, set of core data on all fatal motor vehicle crashes; second, TIRF’s Serious Injury Database, which contains information on persons seriously injured in crashes; and, third, PHAC’s Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP), a surveillance system currently operating in the emergency departments of some pediatric and general hospitals across Canada. Exposure data have been used in the analyzes where available. Between 1990 and 2010, fatality rates increased among ATV and dirt bike operators. The fatality rate among snowmobilers declined during this period. Of particular concern, among fatally injured female ATV users, children aged 0–15 years comprised the highest proportion of any age group at 33.8%. Regarding alcohol use, among fatally injured snowmobile and ATV/dirt bike operators tested for alcohol, 66% and 55% tested positive, respectively. Alcohol involvement in adult ORV crashes remains an important factor. In light of the growing popularity of ORVs, prevention and mitigation measures are required to address this issue.