Spinal cord injuries due to diving.

One hundred and fifty patients with spinal cord lesions due to diving accidents were admitted to Stoke Mandeville Hospital between 1944--77. Most of the patients were young men, 65 had dived into the sea, 48 into swimming pools, 21 into rivers and 3 into lakes. Injuries due to diving into the deep end of swimming pools appear to have been eliminated in Great Britain but injuries due to diving into the shallow end of swimming pools and into the sea continue to occur. The public need further education about the dangers of diving.