After breaking four vertebrae and now living with metals rods and screws in his spine, Eric Chaytor says safety is paramount where trampolines are concerned

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MOUNT PEARL, N.L. — Those considering the purchase of a trampoline this summer might want to give it some extra thought to make sure it is the right choice for them

Just ask Eric Chaytor of Mount Pearl, NL about the dangers of trampolines and the hazards that are often easily overlooked when proper research is not conducted and safety measures are put in place.

“I had a very serious incident on a trampoline about five years ago,” said Chaytor. “It has changed my outlook; they are very dangerous for everyone. What happened to me was a complete freak accident, but, still, anything can happen.”

In 2017, Chaytor was at a local trampoline park with friends. It was during a group jump when the accident occurred.

According to Chaytor, what he tried at the park that day was something he had done time and time again.

“I did a backflip and, when I came down and landed, I tried to do another backflip off the same jump,” recounted Chaytor. “Upon the second jump, I landed head-first on the trampoline canvas and ended up breaking four of my vertebrae and I went through many major surgeries to correct the injury.”

Although Chaytor has since recovered from the accident, he still lives with two metal rods and four screws in his spine. He said his body has never been the same nor will it be ever again.

For the rest of his life, he firmly believes he will live with back pain.

“I am very lucky in my recovery, I have the full range of motion with my back and everything,” said Chaytor. “With my surgery, it did affect me. Although the overall outcome was good, my body will never be the same.”

"Although the overall outcome was good, my body will never be the same.” — Eric Chaytor

While this happened at a local park, it wasn’t due to a lack of staff not watching as those jumped around the facility. Chaytor said it was his daring tendencies that pushed him to go for it.

With staff present throughout the facility, he emphasized the park is a safe space, but says, once they are through the door, there is no true way to monitor or even ensure the safety of the jumpers.

“I mean, in my situation, I don’t even think staff knew what happened,” said Chaytor. “As soon as I landed, I jumped up immediately and sat down for a moment. Once I realized I was in pain, I just left. I didn’t let anyone know who worked there.

“So, I can’t say it is due to staff not monitoring. I believe it is because of how easily a trampoline can give you that daredevil confidence.”

The daredevil confidence he speaks about is all about the amount of time and air you get while on a trampoline. Chaytor said it is enough, especially with friends, to give someone that push to try something beyond what they normally do.

“People are having fun, so they get a little more careless,” said Chaytor. “They do not see the consequences of serious injuries that come from trampolines all the time. Accidents happen very easily and the height and time you get seem very forgiving on a trampoline.”

According to Parachute — an organization whose goal is to make Canada safer by preventing serious and fatal injuries through evidence-based solutions, an average of more than 1,200 Canadian children aged 17 and under suffer injuries on backyard trampolines and at trampoline parks every year.

Though the consequences are very real and plausible safety measures can be put in place, the president and CEO of Parachute emphasized injuries are hard to prevent even with the correct safety measures in place.

“What we have heard about, are injuries like traumatic brain injuries or injuries that have resulted in paralysis or even death, even though these instances are rare,” said Pamela Fuselli. “People often think about having several people on the trampoline, or they are going to get bounced off the trampoline; so, they put the netting around, but a lot of serious injuries happen on the trampoline when they come down at the wrong angle or on a double jump.”

The three words used by Fuselli to describe trampolines are high-risk, dangerous and fun.

Her organization doesn’t believe telling people to stay off trampolines is effective due to the level of enjoyment most do receive from the activity. Due to the fun nature of trampolines, she feels spreading the message of safety is the most important message to send.

“Parachute is not a bubble-wrapping organization,” said Fuselli. “Preventing injuries does not mean not doing anything — it's absolutely the opposite. We are focused on those fatal and serious injuries and, unfortunately, even though there has been some mitigation to trampoline injuries, like putting nets around the trampoline, we continue to see injuries, especially in younger age groups and that concerns us.”

Fuselli added how, even with trained spotters, it is very difficult to prevent some of these injuries from happening.

Her advice is to always ensure your trampoline canvas and springs are in working order. Supervision is also a must for this activity, she added.

While that may not sound appealing to those jumping, Fuselli said there are many ways one can monitor without “ruining the fun.”

“Understanding your skill level, experience and coordination, on an individual basis is the best place to start,” she recommended. “You need to be aware if this is new to them; you need to be able, as a monitor, to recognize what is outside of their boundaries and what seems safe for them. It depends on the circumstance, but, by executing an understanding, there is room for lots of fun.”

Chaytor advised anyone considering buying a trampoline to not purchase at all, as there are safer alternatives for fun recreation.

When asked if trampolines should be removed altogether, Chaytor wasn’t sure.

“I am not sure if removing them is the answer, I mean they are freak accidents — well, freak accidents that happen very often,” he said. “There aren’t many more safety measures you could add to a trampoline to make it safe, as most of the ones I have been on have been considered safe.

“I don’t think getting rid of or banning them is the answer, but I do believe, if they were, it would create fewer injuries.”

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