Ziplines have become common sites at campgrounds and even in people’s own backyards. But with the growing zipline popularity has come a major increase in injuries.
According to a report from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, nearly 17,000 zipline-related injuries that required an emergency room visit happened between 1997 and 2012. The report found most of the injuries had occurred since 2009.
The majority of injuries came from children who fell or collided with trees and other structures.
"It’s likely due to the fact that they either were not using a harness or that they don’t have the upper body strength to hold on the entire way down the zip line," said Tracy Megan of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Thirteen-year-old Saul Bronstone and his family said he was very lucky when he fell off a zipline three years ago. The zipline used to be in his family’s backyard and he suffered from a fractured skull and bleeding in his brain. The teen is now advising others to learn from his mistake.
"I would definitely have put a helmet on," said Bronestone. "Cause that was pretty stupid."
Currently, 18 states have laws regulating commercial zipline safety. In other states, safety standards are voluntary.
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