Snowmobiling injuries: types and consequences.

In a prospective study from northern Sweden, a series of 137 persons injured in snowmobiling accidents was analyzed. Most of the injured riders were males aged 10 to 39 years. Almost two-thirds of the accidents occurred at week-ends and the frequency was highest in the months of March and April. Three of four persons were injured during racing or leisure activities. The accidents most often involved sudden arrest of the snowmobile due to collision with an obstacle, or fall from the machine while driving it. The injuries were of major degree (MAIS greater than or equal to 2) in almost half of the cases and the lower extremities were the most commonly injured sites. In-patient care was required by 28% of the injured, for on average 11 days. Sickness insurance benefit was received by 64%, mean 48 days. The cost of treatment and sickness benefit averaged 8 000 SEK per case.