Injury producing factors in sport parachuting.

On the basis of a study of the literature and a description of the parachute jump, the injury producing factors of civil parachuting is described. The majority of injury happens during landing; the assuming of a correct "prepare to land attitude" and the execution of a good parachute landing fall may prevent a great part of the injuries to the spine and the lower extremities. The factors mentioned are often correlated to ignorance, inexperience or to willful neglect of current regulations. A revision of the education of student parachuters and instructors in order to meet the same quality demands in all parachuting centres is proposed. Safer parachutes and a simplification of the parachute landing fall may also reduce the incidence of casualties.