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4000ers of the Alps–So beautiful, so dangerous: An analysis of falls in the Swiss Alps between 2009–2020

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  • Benedikt Gasser
  • Fabian Schwendinger

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to analyze falls regarding their demographic characteristics, severity, frequency over time, and the localization of injuries while high-altitude mountaineering in the Swiss Alps. Methods: Data on fall-related emergencies during mountaineering between 2009 to 2020 from the Swiss Alpine Club central registry were analyzed retrospectively. The variables age, sex, time of occurrence, severity of an event quantified by NACA-Score (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Score), and injury localization were examined descriptively. Changes in injury severity, number of total emergencies, and fatal emergencies over time were analyzed using linear regression models. Results: Out of 1347 (28.7%) victims of fall-related emergencies, 1027 were men (76.2%) and 320 (23.8%) women. Around 70% of the cases happened during summer in July and August. The mean age was 49.9 ± 14.9 years for men and 51.3 ± 14.4 years for women with no between-sex difference. Higher NACA-Scores were found in men than women (3.6 ± 2.2 vs. 3.1 ± 1.6; p

Suggested Citation

  • Benedikt Gasser & Fabian Schwendinger, 2022. "4000ers of the Alps–So beautiful, so dangerous: An analysis of falls in the Swiss Alps between 2009–2020," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(4), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0266032
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266032
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