Spring is finally here, and for college students across the country, it’s time to take a well-deserved break from colder weather, endless studying, and those dreaded exams.
The University of Michigan’s Broad College of Business estimates roughly 1.5 million U.S. college students travel for spring break each year. Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico top the list of go-to destinations for a warm-weather reprieve.
While college students may seek fun and relaxation, they can also be struck by spring break injuries that can send them to the emergency room.
Yet with some smart planning and these tips, you’ll have a great time and return healthy to finish out your school year.
Six common spring break injuries
No one plans to get hurt while on spring break. Any interruption in your playtime in the sun is unwelcome. It helps to know the most common risks so you can stay safe and avoid spring break injuries.
Alcohol-related injuries. Having a relaxing beer or drink with friends is a time-honored tradition of spring break. Unfortunately, it can lead to accidents and injuries if you’re not careful and over-indulge.
Alcohol poisoning, falls, and getting behind the wheel when intoxicated are all possible when you drink too much.
Swimming accidents. Cooling off in the water is one of the great moments of a warm-weather vacation.
But while the water may appear calm, it can change on a dime to choppy waters and rip currents, potentially leading to accidental drowning. Another danger is not knowing the depth of the water. If the water is shallow, you may dive into hard sand, which can result in a head or neck injury.
Vehicle crashes. If you drive while intoxicated, you raise the risk of a motor vehicle accident. But crashes can occur for other reasons. You may be unfamiliar with the roads, or because it’s spring break, more cars are traveling on the highways.
Those factors increase the chance of a car accident that causes fractures and other serious injuries.
Slips and falls. Even when you think the surface is dry, you may slip on a patch of water. Falls can happen anywhere — around the pool, in the hotel lobby, and in a bar — if you stumble on a slippery area and take a hard tumble.
Sprains and strains. Sudden traumas from a fall often result in sprains and strains on your ligaments. The ligaments become stretched or even torn, causing pain, bruising, and swelling.
But sprains and strains can also happen if you participate in a sport after having been inactive for a long time. A game of volleyball on the beach with friends is a perfect way to spend the day, but you can over-stretch tight tendons, ligaments, and muscles if you haven’t played in a while. Or you can lose your balance on shifting sands.
New activities. You’re on spring break, so what better time to try out new activities, such as bungee jumping, parasailing, or scuba diving? But if you haven’t done them before, you could suffer an injury.
Tips to avoid spring break injuries
Keep these in mind to avoid spring break injuries.
Drink responsibly. Know your limit and never drive a car if you’ve been drinking, or get into a car with someone who has. Call a cab for yourself and your friends. Similarly, don’t swim after drinking heavily.
Know your surroundings. Look out for slippery patches at the hotel or in a bar. Know whether the water is shallow or deep.
Research the supplier. If you decide to scuba dive or bungee jump, research the supplier to make sure it’s a reputable firm and has the right equipment and training protocols in place.
Travel with a buddy. When swimming in unfamiliar waters, take a buddy with you. You can watch out for each other to avoid potential dangers. And always swim in areas marked safe and monitored by lifeguards. The same is true when exploring parts of the destination you’re seeing for the first time.
Unfortunately, even when extremely careful, spring break injuries can happen. If you’re in severe pain or believe you’ve suffered an injury, go immediately to the emergency room. And if the pain lingers after you’re home, see an orthopedist for diagnosis and treatment.
Don’t let an injury spoil your fun
Going on spring break? The staff at New York Bone & Joint Specialists can heal any sore muscles before you take off for vacation. And if you hurt yourself while on spring break, we can develop a plan to get you pain-free and in shape once again. Contact us today for a consultation.
