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Proper Falling Techniques

Why Falling Properly is Everyones concern


English 2010 Stephanie Valdez

Everyone at some point in their life has taken a tumble. From infants learning to take their first steps, to distracted or clumsy adults, or frail elderly people; no one is immune to gravity. Did you know that the United States currently over-consumes healthcare services at the rate of 1.5 times any other nation in the world? Did you know that the CDC reports the 2009 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 605 workers were killed and an estimated 212,760 workers were seriously injured by falls to the same or lower level? This is a huge strain on our already overworked healthcare system resulting in higher insurance premiums to all Americans and larger workmans compensation premiums to employers. Think of all of the money and resources that could be saved if people knew how to fall to minimize the chance of injury! Working the math, assume that each of the 212,760 workers with injuries seen at an Instacare. This is usually about $150.00 per visit. Assume that each of those workers also required two prescriptions at about $25.00 each and at least one follow-up visit. The statistics say that they were seriously injured which would usually denote hospital and or specialist involvement. For the sake of our calculations let us just assume the totals of $350.00 per person. This equates to a minimum expenditure of $74,466,000.00 in one year for basic injuries from falling alone. This figure is grossly low. It only reflects the cost after an insurance policy has been applied and only those falls reported as a workplace injury. Unreported falls or falls that take place at home or anywhere other than work are not calculated into this statistic. Therefore, the actual expenditures for a year could be much, much higher.

The responsibility for the approximate 74.5 million dollars is placed squarely on the shoulders of the American public. How? Employers are supposed to carry workmans compensation coverage. This is less money that companies can expend towards wages. This is a cost that is incurred that most employees do not consider. Not all employers carry adequate coverage or maybe have had lapses. Then the cost is on the employee or if they are unable to afford the medical bills, then the government by way of taxpayers foots the bill. Learning proper falling techniques helps younger kids with their confidence. No one likes to wipe out in front of a group of people! Falling properly also helps people who practice extreme sports excel. They are able to train harder and with more conviction by lessening the fear of injuries. It helps lower the over-consumption of healthcare

resources. This alone would save millions of dollars each year! Falling is also a major cause for concern for the elderly. Remember the commercial with the catch phrase Help! Ive fallen and I cant get up! Dont let that be you, chose to learn proper falling techniques.

Works Cited Aikido Info. 1 November 2011. Web. 5 September 2013 United States Federal Government. Center For Disease Control. 23 August 2013. Web. 12 September 2013 Gracie, R & Danaher, J. Mastering Jiu Jitsu. Champaign: Human Kinetics, 2003. Print. Hermosillo, Michael. Professor. Personal Interview. 5 September 2013. Judo Information Site. 10 Septermber 2011. Web. 5 September 2013

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