Hamad Trauma centre issues advisory regarding safe usage of ATVs during winter

It is winter season now and if you travel to the sand dunes of Qatar, you will be able to see hundreds of youngsters engaging in dune bashing using All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).

While youngsters are keen on getting an adrenaline rush out of the activity, some of them also do so without taking adequate precaution against crashes.

The Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP), being run by the Hamad Trauma Center, has issued a warning to people about the risks of unsafe ATV use.

A study shows that between the years 2010 and 2017, the Qatar Trauma Registry recorded a 25% annual increase in the number of ATV-related injury victims admitted to the National Trauma Center, reported Gulf Times.

The report combined data from Al Wakrah Hospital’s Emergency Department, Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Ambulance Service and the Hamad Trauma Center.

The greatest increase was in the number of child victims, which made up 40% of those injured. The report showed that there was also a 34% increase in the number of female victims.
“Each year more than 75 ATV-related injury victims sustain severe injuries to their head, chest, extremities, and abdomen. These injuries are severe enough to require surgery or ICU admission,” HIPP Director Dr Rafael Consunji was quoted as saying by The Peninsula.

“Children and females are most at risk of injury because they often don’t have the necessary weight and strength to adequately control an ATV moving at high speed. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons does not recommend children younger than 12 years operating ATVs,” he added.

Al Wakrah Hospital receives at least 35 to 40 patients every year with ATV-related injuries. Arms and heads are the most commonly injured parts of the body, with most victims suffering from abrasions on their chest, arms, legs, and back.

All ATV drivers and passengers should be fully clothed in protective gear — goggles, gloves, boots and helmets — every time they ride an ATV.

ATVs are designed for use by one person and it is highly unsafe to take a passenger along, as it severely destabilises the vehicle’s balance. It is a major reason for accidents.

“ATVs aren’t designed to transport passengers. Control of the vehicle is made more difficult with a passenger on board. Riding with or as a passenger increases the chance that weight imbalance and instability will occur. They are common causes of crashes and rollovers,” said Dr Consunji.