[Water chutes and traumatic tetraplegia].

Diving into shallow water is unfortunately a well known cause to spinal cord injury (SCI). This case history describes how a 23 year old man, who slid head first into a swimming pool with insufficient depth of water contracted cervical fractures and SCI with complete loss of motor function caudal to the C7 segment. Because this seems to represent a new cause of SCI, we advise the authorities to reassess the security regarding chute construction and the necessary water depth. Furthermore, warning signs and lifeguard supervision to prevent people from sliding head first when the water depth is insufficient should be mandatory.