8. Accidents by cause of tumble

Slipping

Slipping is caused by a decrease in friction between shoes and the floor. The primary factor is slippery floors or wearing insufficiently protective footwear.

Tumbles from slipping involve two categories: tumbling forward or to the side, or tumbling backward.

1. Tumbling forward or to the side

This occurs when the front of the back foot catches while walking, causing one to slip and the body to be pulled forward or to the side.

When placing the hands out to protect oneself, this can lead to very dangerous fractures to the radii of the forearms or the humerus. When falling to the side, this can lead to a fracture of the femur.

Fig. 7. Forward and lateral tumbles from slipping

2. Backwards tumbles

This occurs when the heel of the front foot slips forward, causing the body to be pulled backwards. In the elderly, this can cause falling on one’s bottom and fracturing the lumbar vertebra; if one is unable to place one’s hands out for balance, the back of the head can be struck.

Fig. 8. Backwards tumbles from slipping

Research has found that, when slipping backwards and tumbling, the tumble occurs in about 0.83 seconds, with the impact speed on the head being 22-23kmh. In other words, it is very difficult for our reflexes to protect us when we slip.

 

Tripping

Tripping occurs when slight elevation differences when we walk or the height of a step on a staircase causes us to fail to raise the leg sufficiently.

When this happens, the toes strike the elevated surface or step and the body is pulled forward, tumbling forwards or to the side.

When placing the hands out to protect oneself, this can lead to very dangerous fractures to the radii of the forearms or the humerus. When falling to the side, this can lead to a fracture of the femur.

Fig. 9. Tumbles from tripping

 

Missing a step

Tumbles from missing a step occur when the foot falls into a hole or other opening in front of us, or when the surface is lower than the expected height.

The toes are pulled into the hole or height difference, and the body is pulled forward, causing one to tumble forwards or to the side.

When placing the hands out to protect oneself, this can lead to very dangerous fractures to the radii of the forearms or the humerus. When falling to the side, this can lead to a fracture of the femur.

Fig 10. Tumbles from missing a step