Pole vaulting can be more hazardous than it looks. Injuries can occur when the person falls outside of the prepared landing surface.
Reasons for fall:
(1) pole broke
(2) problem in technique
Impact site:
(1) landing on the vault box (where the end of the pole inserts)
(2) landing off or on the side of the landing pad
Types of injuries:
(1) head injury
(2) injury to cervical spine or brainstem
(3) thoracic or lumbar vertebral fracture
(4) pelvic fracture
(5) rib fracture and/or pneumothorax
(6) intra-abdominal blunt trauma
