ACA Accident Database

[rcwild]

Now that the ACA's canyons database is coming back online, work will proceed on our accident database. Users will be able to access the accident database directly via this section of the Canyon Forums. Accident information will also be integrated into a field in the canyons database for each canyon record. Our intent in including this information is to inform canyoneers about risks involved so they can go better prepared.

If you are aware of any accident, incident or near miss over the past few years, please submit as much detail as possible. You can post the information here or send directly to Dave Black (Director of Safety and Rescue Programs, American Canyoneering Association) at: shiadilaah@yahoo.com.

Dave will check additional sources to verify the accuracy of each report, then edit the report and input it into the ACA's Canyon Forums. Final reports included in the database will be neutral, state only the facts, and will not include names (except the names of fatalities). Reports will not assign blame of any kind. Emphasis will be on cause and effect, the combination of objective and subjective hazards, the etiology of injuries, and lessons learned.

Statistical data will be collected and analyzed, and a small summary of incidents and statisitics will be published in cheap brochure form in January of each year, and made available free of cost (downloadable or in stores, ranger stations, etc.)

[mrklusman]

This is great. Question about this and Accidents in North American Mountaineering (ANAM) published by the American Alpine Club.....

Has ANAM ever captured any canyoneering related accident information? I don't recall noticing anything canyoneering-specific, but I was curious.

I do have some questions re: reporting that I thought I would post in a public setting to get insight from others - particularly Rich and Dave.

Do you want to see reports about incidents where we have, what I would call, the "hiker in a canyoneering situation"? This is not unusual in the San Gabriels and is often the genesis of many accidents.

Your neutral approach is perfect. Kudos.

[David Black]

Yes, "hiker" canyoneering situations should be included.

[David Black]

Send reports directly to David Black at shiadilaah@yahoo.com or davidblack@utah.gov or mail to David Black c/o Southeast Utah District Health Dept., P.O. Box E, Blanding, Utah, 84511. Do NOT post reports directly to this thread.

Please use the following guidelines:

1. Limit the report to less than 500 words. Include photos, maps, or diagrams if appropriate.
2. Limit reports to canyoneering incidents that result in search & rescue operations, deaths, or injuries significant enough to be seen by a medical facility.
3. Reports should be neutral, and should not assign blame of any kind to specific individuals. Names may be included in the initial report but will be edited out of the report prior to posting.
4. Include the name & location of the route, a description of the accident, injuries suffered, normal procedures on the route (if noteworthy), and the events leading up to the accident.
5. Include any information that would identify cause and effect, combinations of objective and subjective hazards leading to the incident, contributing factors, type and mechanism of injuries, and chronology of the incident.

I will check with additional sources to secure the accuracy of each initial report before adding it to the thread. Replies to the report will be accepted on the thread for ten days after the report is posted.

Unreported incidents: please let me know if you hear of a significant incident that has not been seen on the thread. I'll track down the information and post a report.

I'll be maintaining a statistical analysis (an "etiology") of canyoneering accidents which I will post monthly.

It would be nice if we could get the statistical database retro-active to 2000. That will take some investigation on my part. If any of you have buddies in the local SAR teams who can help with that, let me know.

Regards to all.

Dave Black


Mande los informes directamente a David Black en shiadilaah@yahoo.com o davidblack@utah.gov o el correo a David Black C/O Departamento del Sudeste de Salud de Distrito de Utah, Caja de correo E, Blanding, Utah, 84511. No anuncie los informes directamente a este hilo.

Utilice por favor las pautas siguientes:

1. Limite el informe a menos de 500 palabras. Incluya fotos, los mapas, o los esquemas si apropia.
2. El lÃ*mite informa a incidentes de canyoneering que tienen como resultado la búsqueda & las operaciones del rescate, las muertes, o las heridas suficiente significativas ser vistos por una facilidad médica.
3. Los informes deben ser neutrales, y no deben asignar la culpa de cualquier tipo a individuos especÃ*ficos. Los nombres se pueden incluir en el informe inicial pero serán redactados fuera del informe antes de anunciar.
4. Incluya el nombre & la ubicación de la ruta, una descripción del accidente, las heridas los procedimientos normales en la ruta (si digno de mención), y los acontecimientos que dirigen hasta el accidente.
5. Incluya cualquier información que identificarÃ*a la causa y el efecto, las combinaciones de peligros subjetivos & objetivos que llevan al incidente, factores contribuyendos, el tipo y el mecanismo de heridas, y la cronologÃ*a del incidente.

Verificaré con fuentes adicionales para asegurar la certeza de cada informe inicial antes de agregarlo al hilo. Contestaciones al informe se aceptarán en el hilo por diez dÃ*as después que el informe se anuncia.

Incidentes no-reportados: favor de avisarme si Usted oye de un incidente significativo que no se ha visto en el hilo. Localizaré la información y anunciaré un informe.

Estaré manteniendo un análisis estadÃ*stico (una "etiologÃ*a") de los accidentes de canyoneering que anunciaré mensualmente.

SerÃ*a agradable si podrÃ*amos obtener la base de datos estadÃ*stica retroactiva a 2000. Eso tomará alguna investigación en mi parte. Si cualquiera de ustedes tiene a compañeros en los equipos locales de SAR que pueden ayudar con eso, permiten que mÃ* sepa.

Gracias.

Dave Black

[amylarissa]

[snip]

I think it would be a good idea (I'm sure this has already been done) to start up a sticky based on mistakes made in the field. I have done some searches on this forum and do see an accident report sticky, however am trying to find the link to read the accidents versus just reporting of them. I do see this:

"Statistical data will be collected and analyzed, and a small summary of incidents and statisitics will be published in cheap brochure form in January of each year, and made available free of cost (downloadable or in stores, ranger stations, etc.)"

Anybody have anything to add or can refer me to this brochure? I also agree with the "neutral approach" that was suggested with regards to not assigning names or blaming. This should certainly be a learning experience to keep us all safer and not a "never go canyoneering with this guy - listen to what he/she did"

I found that during my 3 day technical canyoneering course listening to stories of mistakes that have occurred helped me tremendously. Some of them are easy to overlook especially at the end of the day when we're exhausted or when it's dark outside.

[snip]

[rcwild]

We hadn't received enough accident reports to warrant publishing. I'll check with Dave regarding current status. Considering his pending move to Hawaii, I'm not sure if he'll have the time to continue with the project. Perhaps Sonny will be able to take it over.

[rcwild]

Until we are able to compile a formal report, I've set up a separate accident report category and moved accident reports from the techniques and stories categories.

Thank you for the nudge, Larissa.

[Canyonette]

[snip]

I think it would be a good idea (I'm sure this has already been done) to start up a sticky based on mistakes made in the field. I have done some searches on this forum and do see an accident report sticky, however am trying to find the link to read the accidents versus just reporting of them. I do see this:

~Good idea Larissa~ It’s not always newbies making the mistakes either. There are a few of very level headed experienced guys who come to mind, who are quite open about sharing “mishap� or “mistake� information with the community and I thank them for it.

~ Anyone can make a mistake and the more comfortable you are with ropes and rappelling, etc, it’s completely understandable that you might become lax in your diligence to check, double check anchors, check your partner, etc. such as you did when first starting out.


"Statistical data will be collected and analyzed, and a small summary of incidents and statisitics will be published in cheap brochure form in January of each year, and made available free of cost (downloadable or in stores, ranger stations, etc.)"

Anybody have anything to add or can refer me to this brochure? I also agree with the "neutral approach" that was suggested with regards to not assigning names or blaming. This should certainly be a learning experience to keep us all safer and not a "never go canyoneering with this guy - listen to what he/she did"

~That would be nice to have, but I don’t think such a brochure exists. I don’t think placing blame is anyone’s intention, but if “blame� rests on someone other than the dead or injured person's shoulders, then it should be owned up to. One VERY important lesson we all need to learn (if we don’t already know this) is that our safety is our own responsibility. How many times have you gone out and trusted your life to someone else’s expertise? I’ve done it numerous times, and even experts make mistakes.

In this type of sport, where you could very easily DIE from a minor oversight, it’s extremely important that YOU know what you’re doing and that YOU take responsibility for your own safety. You should at a minimum be able to set the rappel, set a contingency anchor, lock off during rappel, and ascend a rope. Also, it’s wise to work up to doing harder canyons. You really do learn quite a bit while you’re out there in the canyons, not just about rope work, but also how to navigate the terrain as safely as possible.

~Randi

[David Black]

Regarding the accident database and the annual report...

It was a nice idea but when it came right down to gathering information, there was virtually no participation. Without the input I just didn't have the time or resources to to the reseasrch needed to get a database put together. It would be nice if somebody who does have the time would pick up the project.

Rather than an "Accidents in North American Canyoneering" approach, I think what would be more helpful is something like Lee Schussman's 1990 study of the causes of climbing accidents in the Tetons (The Epidemiology of Mountaineering and Rock Climbing Accidents, published in the Journal of Wilderness Medicine).

Unfortunately interest in a collection of accident data is high after every serious accident, then the interest dies out until the next one.

[Canyon Kelp]

It seems to me leaving out this category, is missing an opportunity to catch a serious trend before it becomes fatal, or an injury.

I personally have been involved in 2 situations that did not result in an injury/fatality.

But given different circumstances could have resulted in much different outcomes.

Matt

[BrianH]

I have an interest in taking up the research that might be needed to further develop this database. Any suggestions?