FALLS FROM HEIGHT

Trauma Status

It is imperative that you keep within approved safety limits for stunting, especially where children are involved.   Two high pyramids can be safely spotted with almost immediate hand contact, controlling the fall with techniques that are a part of every squads basic training.   Providing the spotter/s have received appropriate training, and are alert, there is no reason why a flier should hit the floor.

Use of adequate and properly supervised safety mats for stunting is essential, both for practice and competition.   All falls should be caught without getting as far as the floor, the mats providing a secondary final line of defence.   Mats should cover an area at least 1.5 times the height of the stunt, around the stunt, and at events have a clearly deliminated safety zone around.

In stunts of 2.5 persons height or greater almost immediate contact cannot take place.   It takes 0.5 seconds to fall the first 1.2m but just 0.2 seconds for the next 1.2m.   Acceleration rapidly multiplies impact force with even moderate increased height.   Doubling the speed quadruples kinetic energy as this is proportional to mass and distance fallen .   There is also greater likelihood of unstable body posture.   ie: Head down.   Falls from 12 feet or above are likely to result in spinal trauma .   20% of falls greater than 15 feet can result in associated lumber spine fracture .

Should the fall get as far as the floor 2.5 height stunts reduce the cushioning effect of a safety floor by a factor of four as deceleration compression distance remains nearly the same.   Events that fail to provide a supervised full size safety floor in addition to the competing floor put athletes at risk. Packed earth can still cause 200G deceleration after a 1.2 metre fall .   Wilfully allowing stunting on concrete or similar surfaces can be held negligent.

Only video certified all-adult teams are permitted collegiate height techniques.   As adults they can legally understand and accept the higher risks involved. Back-flip somersaulting children from the equivalent height of an upstairs window, to be caught by other minors, is unjustifiable.

The IHCD Ambulance Service Training Manual, section 7.4
Dynamics of Falls and Blows. Robert Sutherland, Birmingham Children's Hospital
Pre Hospital Trauma Life Support Manual, chapter 9, page 233