Atlanta, GA,
28
August
2014
|
09:00 AM
America/New_York

Ten Proven Ways to Break Your Neck by Diving

Don't dive. Go into the water feet first.

As the summer comes to a close, many people head to the lake, pool or ocean for a final salute to warm weather. Shepherd Center cautions people not to dive because of the risk of spinal cord injury, especially to the cervical (or neck) area. Always go into the water feet first. Please help us spread this injury prevention message.

The slide show below (and available by clicking here) presents 10 proven ways to break your neck by diving. It was compiled by Herndon Murray, M.D., a Shepherd Center physician who treats many of the hospital's patients who are injured in diving accidents. These are all true scenarios in which Dr. Murray's patients have been injured in what he calls one of the most preventable injuries he treats.

Also below are three video interviews with former Shepherd Center patients who were injured in diving accidents.

No Diving
Shepherd Center urges people not to dive because of the risk of spinal cord injury. Go into the water feet first.
Cole Sydnor
Cole Sydnor of Richmond, Va., sustained a paralyzing spinal cord injury in a diving accident. He now urges other people not to dive. Photo by Tom Stiles
Diving Injury Prevention
Herndon Murray, M.D., medical director of Shepherd Center's Spinal Cord Injury Program, poses for a photo with all of the young men who sustained spinal cord injuries as a result of diving accidents in summer 2012. Photo by Louie Favorite
No Diving
Shepherd Center urges people not to dive into pools, lakes, river, oceans or any body of water. Go into the water feet first.

About Shepherd Center

Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.