Features of a personal watercraft:
(1) water jet pump
(2) less than 16 feet in length
(3) driver may be standing, kneeling or sitting
Example: jet ski, waterbike
Types of injuries:
(1) perforation of the rectosigmoid colon
(2) lacerations at the anal verge
(3) vaginal lacerations
Clinical findings:
(1) abdominal, pelvic or anorectal pain
(2) rectal bleeding
(3) vaginal bleeding
(4) peritoneal signs with peritonitis
Risk factors:
(1) being a passenger rather than the driver
(2) not wearing a wet (neoprene) suit
(3) being thrown off the watercraft into the water, especially if exposed to the water jet or hitting an object or at high speed
(4) choppy riding conditions
(5) inexperience or inattention
