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Rock Climbing Accidents

Rock Climbing Accidents Rock Climbing is a sport that entails lots of safety precautions. Accidents are unavoidable in this kind of risky activity, which may even lead to trauma and other life-threatening consequences. In order to prevent these dangers, it will help if one is aware of the possible accidents in Rock Climbing.

Here are some of the most common injuries and accidents in climbing:
  1. Bad Fall - this is commonly due to failing or breaking of climbing ropes and guides. Defective ropes may cause climbers to fall from great heights or slip down. Other than that, a bad fall may also be caused by land slides or collapse of snow caves when out Mountaineering.
  2. Dislocation - without proper skills and training, one may break or dislocate his or her limbs with the slightest erroneous move. Know your limits, and don't force yourself to climb beyond your level of experience.
  3. Rope Burns - this is a common injury in climbing, especially for those who don't wear gloves when handling ropes. Rope burns occur when the hand and rope create friction, causing the skin to tear or wear off.
  4. Arm, hand and finger injuries - those who are new to Rock Climbing often get arm, hand and finger injuries because of over usage of these body parts. These parts often get strained from the rigorous physical activity.
  5. Climber's Finger - as its name states, this is a specific injury to the fingers that occurs when a climber tries to support his bodyweight with only one or two fingers. This injury is very common in climbing, wherein the strained fingers experience damages in the tendons.
  6. Inflammation - of finger joints, forearm muscles, and the tendons connecting the forearm to the elbow joints are also common since this sport entails a lot of support to lift the body.
  7. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - prevalent injury in climbing wherein the Median nerve in the hand becomes compressed. This causes numbness and pain.
Rock Climbing accidents are rare, and happen mostly to people who lack the proper training and experience. The best way to doing it safely is to make sure your body is fit and in tiptop shape before taking a climb. Moreover, experience will surely benefit you in developing your climbing skills. It’s always good to ask more experienced climbers for advice before doing it. Another thing is to make sure you are properly geared for a climb. Prevent faulty equipment by checking on your pieces of gear before taking the climb. Lastly, take breaks in between so that your body will be properly recovered and your muscles will be relaxed and ready for your next climbing activity. Though Rock Climbing accidents are totally unavoidable, it doesn’t hurt to be always prepared. As they say, expect the unexpected.

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Article Comments
bradkillough
Thursday 19th June 2008 at 4:48:28 PM  

Not to forget ancle injurys and crushed heels. I know, I have both!


 
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