ACCIDENT DATA REPORTING
A number of UIAA member federations have established systems to collect data about accidents. Their approaches vary, from gathering of individuals stories for publication, through data collection by online reporting forms to general statistics compiled by the rescue services. Some efforts are community-driven, some organised by climbing federations, and some by public services. Altogether a substantial amount of data is being collected and often put to good use for the benefit of climbing safety, but there is no uniform way of doing it. The UIAA has brought together data and knowledge from the national systems that exist, and created an international database.
The UIAA Project
This initial version of the database compiles information about existing, national systems and processes for accident and incident reporting relating to climbing and mountaineering. This work serves two purposes. One is to learn about the capabilities of the existing systems, what data they are able to provide, how the data is being used to support climbing safety, their success factors as well as the barriers and obstacles faced in collecting the data. Based on this information the Working Group will proceed to develop recommendations on best practices in accident reporting, and ideally also standards to facilitate data exchange and data comparison between systems.
The Databases
The repository of worldwide accident and near miss reporting systems are detailed below.
Please note data is correct as of October 2024 and will be subject to regular checks and updates.
The map version offers information about the systems themselves as well as contact details. The list from below provides direct links to the systems.
List of Databases
Country
Database Owner
Database Name & Description
Website
Australian Climbing
Australian Climbing Accident Register
Language: English
Scope: Climbing (general), highlining, caving, canyoning
Analyses/Purpose: A volunteer-only, newly established project to promote open discussion of incidents and near miss events in recreational climbing in Australia. Submissions are elicited from recreational rock climbers within Australia.
UIAA description: Public data:
https://www.climbingaccidents.com.au/database#incident-database/?view_29_filters=[]
https://www.climbingaccidents.com.au/database#incident-database/?view_29_filters=[]
Austrian Board of Trustees for Alpine Safety (ÖKAS)
Alpine Unfallstatistik
Language: German
Scope: All mountain sports
Analyses/Purpose: The evaluations of the alpine accident database of the ÖKAS and the Alpine Police reflect the accidents in Austria’s mountains, and also developments and trends in mountain sports. Figures, data, facts are the basis for sound accident research and prevention work.
UIAA description: Every year, more than 8,000 alpine accidents are recorded by the Alpine Police (BMI) in Austria in the common database. The database records all alpine accidents in which the Alpine Police is involved. Fatal accidents are recorded without gaps. In addition, all reported events in the alpine terrain, regardless of the degree of injury, are recorded.
Reporting Results: Statistics, analyses, yearly reports
https://alpinesicherheit.at/unfallforschung/alpine-unfallstatistik/
Reporting Results: Statistics, analyses, yearly reports
https://alpinesicherheit.at/unfallforschung/alpine-unfallstatistik/
Belgium, Flemish Climbing Federation
Klim- en bergsportongevallen
Language: Dutch
Scope: Climbing
Analyses/Purpose: Data are immediately checked in function of insurance. Two times a year a download of the raw data is made. Afterwards, online data are analyzed (and anonymized) by our experts for each discipline we cover. After analysis, they are published on our membership portal. Relevant findings of the analysis are (1) discussed in team (2) discussed with the experts of our clubs for each discipline (3) disseminated in an appropriate way (e.g. newsletter to all member, newsletter to all trainers, social media posts, organization of workshops, adaptation of trainers courses…). A general overview of the findings is published annually in our magazine Monte. Statistics are published annually in our annual report. Data are used as input for our four annual policy plan.
UIAA description: The system collects data on accident and near-accidents in climbing and mountaineering. The system is in Dutch and the main target group are the members of KBF and broader, the community of climbers and mountaineers in Flanders, Belgium. Purpose is twofold: members can report an accident for the insurance; data are collected for analysis in function of the policy of KBF (adaptation of courses, promoting certain safety measures or new techniques, inform a broader audience of dangers …
Data are anonymized and published.
Reporting Results: Public data
https://portaal.klimenbergsportfederatie.be/ongevallen/overzicht-ongevallen/
https://portaal.klimenbergsportfederatie.be/ongevallen/overzicht-ongevallen/
Camptocamp
Camptocamp/SERAC
Language: English/French
Scope: TBC
Analyses/Purpose: SERAC is a database of incident and accident reports, accessible to all mountain sports enthusiasts, on the camptocamp.org website. This database was launched in 2016 in collaboration with the University of Lyon 1, the Petzl Foundation and the Camptocamp community, in order to learn from each other’s experiences, whether they are serious accidents or near-misses. The SERAC database is an experience-sharing platform designed to collect and disseminate individual stories of accidents, but also incidents or critical situations encountered in the mountains, in order to collectively learn from them.
Reporting Results:
Public data: https://www.camptocamp.org/xreports
Analyses: https://www.camptocamp.org/articles/1254260/fr/sommaire-des-analyses-de-recits-de-la-base-seracQuarterly stories:https://www.petzl.com/fondation/s/accidentologie-des-sports-de-montagne?language=en_US
Public data: https://www.camptocamp.org/xreports
Analyses: https://www.camptocamp.org/articles/1254260/fr/sommaire-des-analyses-de-recits-de-la-base-seracQuarterly stories:https://www.petzl.com/fondation/s/accidentologie-des-sports-de-montagne?language=en_US
German Alpine Club/Deutsche Alpenverein (DAV)
Bergunfallstatistik
Language: German
Scope: Climbing and mountaineering (general)
Analyses/Purpose: Investigate the accident incidence in mountain sports, their causes and characteristics.
UIAA description: The German Alpine Club (DAV) has been publishing mountain accident statistics since 1952. Every two years an extensive report on two seasons is published. The data basis is exclusively accidents of DAV members. The data feeds into research and education, and the safety research of the DAV tries to spread sufficient know-how so that mountain athletes can act independently, situation-specifically and risk-consciously.
Reporting Results:
Yearly statistics reports: https://www.alpenverein.de/verband/bergsport/sicherheitsforschung/bergunfallstatistik
Yearly statistics reports: https://www.alpenverein.de/verband/bergsport/sicherheitsforschung/bergunfallstatistik
German Alpine Club/Deutsche Alpenverein (DAV)
Kletterhallen-Unfallstatistik
Language: German
Scope: Indoor climbing and bouldering
Analyses/Purpose: Accident reporting which allows us to investigate the causes and effects of climbing and bouldering accidents and to derive important prevention work from them and to publish accident statistics.
UIAA description: Database for climbing gyms operated since 2012. We receive voluntary data from climbing gyms under DAV and KLEVER (association of private climbing gyms), which cover most of the climbing facilities in Germany.
Reporting Results:
Yearly statistics reports: https://www.alpenverein.de/verband/bergsport/sicherheitsforschung/kletterhallen-unfallstatistik
Yearly statistics reports: https://www.alpenverein.de/verband/bergsport/sicherheitsforschung/kletterhallen-unfallstatistik
JMSCA, Japan Mountaineering & Sport Climbing Association
JMSCA Accident Reporting
Language: Japanese
Scope: Climbing and mountaineering (general)
Analyses/Purpose: Used to design accident prevention measures. Mountain accident investigation reports have been published yearly since 2003.
UIAA description: Accident reporting system operated by the Japan Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Association. As of 2024 the system contains about 5000 reports. Its purpose is to support accident prevention and to incorporate accident information in the curriculum for mountain leaders.
Royal Dutch Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (NKBV)
Klimongevallen
Language: Dutch
Scope: Climbing & Mountaineering (General)
Analyses/Purpose: Accident prevention work; read and learn so you do not make the same mistakes. Analysis is not the main purpose, or if so then qualitative rather than quantitative.
UIAA description: klimongevallen.nl is a voluntary accident reporting system in which people (both members and non-members) can upload both accidents and near misses. They can register both climbing and bouldering (indoor/outdoor) related cases as well as mountaineering and hiking related cases. The system is open to all self-reporting knowledge base with hardly any moderation or analyses. Target group: all participants in climbing and mountaineering.
Reporting Results:
Public data (sport climbing): http://www.klimongevallen.nl/ongevallen/#
Public data (mountaineering):http://www.klimongevallen.nl/alpieneongevallen/
Public data (sport climbing): http://www.klimongevallen.nl/ongevallen/#
Public data (mountaineering):http://www.klimongevallen.nl/alpieneongevallen/
Stichting Veiligheid Klimsport – SVK
Incidence rate for climbing and bouldering
Language: Dutch
Scope: Indoor climbing and bouldering in commercial gyms
Analyses/Purpose: Based on cumulative data, an incidence figure (number of emergency first aid treatments per 100,000 hours of sports participation) is compiled. The data are weighted by the number of visitors per climbing and bouldering gym.
UIAA description: SVK, the Stichting Veiligheid Klimsport (a non-profit foundation) is a partnership between NKBV and BKS (the Dutch Association of climbing and bouldering gyms). SVK has set up an in-company accident database to be used by climbing gyms and bouldering gyms who are members of BKS. The analysis of the data is done in collaboration with a public-private body, Sport Data Valley, whose aim is to gain insight into sports data and to make sports participation safer. The individual data are not open to the public but the analyses are.
Reporting Results:
Annual statistics reports:
https://veiligheidklimsport.nl/publicaties/incidentiecijfer-seh-letsel-klim-en-bouldersport-2023/#
Annual statistics reports:
https://veiligheidklimsport.nl/publicaties/incidentiecijfer-seh-letsel-klim-en-bouldersport-2023/#
New Zealand Alpine Club
NZAC Reporting
Language: English
Scope: NZAC activities, climbing (general)
Analyses/Purpose: TBC
UIAA description: TBC
Reporting Results: N/A
Norwegian Climbing Federation
Ulykkesdatabase
Language: Norwegian
Scope: Climbing, mountain sports
Analyses/Purpose: The general purpose is accident prevention by learning from accidents and incidents. The reports are used for statistics and analysed with the aim of identifying accident causes and trends.
UIAA description: ulykkesdatabasen.no is an incident and accident database that has been operated by the Norwegian Climbing Federation and the Norwegian Mountain Sports Forum since 1990, based on self-reporting and for the purpose of accident prevention. The publicly available reports, statistics, and a multitude of analysis results are disseminated widely and used for a number of purposes, like inputs to training material, methods development, design of skills tests, general accident prevention. Articles based on analyses of accident reports are published regularly and disseminated to the community and interested public.
Reporting Results:
Public data: https://ulykkesdatabasen.no/rapport#
Analysis reports and articles: https://www.sikresider.no/alle-artikler
Special reports: https://klatring.no/sikkerhet/ulykker/alvorlige-ulykker/
Public data: https://ulykkesdatabasen.no/rapport#
Analysis reports and articles: https://www.sikresider.no/alle-artikler
Special reports: https://klatring.no/sikkerhet/ulykker/alvorlige-ulykker/
Recommendations: https://klatring.no/sikkerhet/fagstoff/
Mountain Club of South Africa
S.A. Mountain Accidents Database
Language: English
Scope: All mountain sports
Analyses/Purpose: Examples of the analyses carried out:
– identification of high risk areas due to physical hazards
– identification of high risk areas based on insufficient signage or path maintenance
– reporting of the above to relevant authorities
– subsequent monitoring of remedial actions to determine effectiveness
– increase positive patient outcomes based on rapid access and extraction via helicopter
– lost patient behaviour for application of maximum search effort
– change in rescue stats based on technical and societal changes over three centuries
– identification of high risk areas due to physical hazards
– identification of high risk areas based on insufficient signage or path maintenance
– reporting of the above to relevant authorities
– subsequent monitoring of remedial actions to determine effectiveness
– increase positive patient outcomes based on rapid access and extraction via helicopter
– lost patient behaviour for application of maximum search effort
– change in rescue stats based on technical and societal changes over three centuries
UIAA description: The purpose of the system is to maintain a history of mountain accidents in South Africa. The primary focus is the Western Cape which sees the majority of incidents. All wilderness related accidents including rock climbing, mountaineering, canyoning, aircraft crashes etc are recorded by the rescue teams, even those incidents that the team does not attend to. Data is collected via a web form to maintain consistency. The data is presented via two portals, one for the rescue team in order to analyse trends and make recommendations, the other via a public facing portal where the data is heavily santizised in order to maintain confidentiality.
Polish Cave Rescue Group
Grupa Ratownictwa Jaskiniowego
Language: Polish, English
Scope: Cave rescue
Analyses/Purpose:To promote safety during caving activities.
UIAA description: The system covers Polish cave accidents from 1947 till today.
Reporting Results: Overview of recorded cave accidents 1947-present:
https://grj.com.pl/kronika-wypadkow/
Reporting Results: Overview of recorded cave accidents 1947-present:
https://grj.com.pl/kronika-wypadkow/
International Slackline Association
ISA Accident Reporting
Language: English, French, Spanish
Scope: Slacklining
Analyses/Purpose: This data helps us analyze the highest risk aspects of our sport and provide safety recommendations to the community. It also lays a good foundation for speaking with insurance companies about slackliners and slackline events worldwide.
UIAA description: The International Slackline Association operates a public reporting system for any injury, gear failure, near miss or any other incident related to slackline safety,
Reporting Results: N/A
Swiss Alpine Club
Bergnotfallstatistik
Language: French, German
Scope: Mountain sports
Analyses/Purpose: The aim is to record and evaluate all mountain emergencies in Switzerland and make them available to various institutions and mountain athletes. Based on this data and evaluations, targeted accident prevention in mountain sports in Switzerland can be carried out and mountain emergencies can be monitored over the years.
UIAA description: The SAC compiles the mountain emergency statistics on behalf of the Department of Safety in Mountain Sports. Data is provided by mountain rescue organizations and other institutions. The aim is to record and evaluate all mountain emergencies in Switzerland and make them available to various institutions and mountain athletes. The evaluations are made available in German and French on the SAC website. Media information is provided once a year.
Reporting Results:Annual statistics reports:
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/ausbildung-und-sicherheit/sicher-unterwegs/bergnotfallstatistik/#
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/ausbildung-und-sicherheit/sicher-unterwegs/bergnotfallstatistik/#
Swedish Climbing Federation
Klatterforbundet Rapportera Incidenter
Language: Swedish
Scope: TBC
Analyses/Purpose: Annual statistics report. Some case studies written. Some reports leads to specific accident investigation.
UIAA description: To support its work on climbing safety the Swedish Climbing Federation operates a public accident reporting system.
Reporting Results: Special reports and selected narratives:
https://www.klatterforbundet.se/category/sakerhet/#
Reporting Results: Special reports and selected narratives:
https://www.klatterforbundet.se/category/sakerhet/#
British Mountaineering Council
BMC Incident Reporting
Language: English
Scope: TBC
Analyses/Purpose: Storytelling, and used to inform safety campaigns, publicise reports with good learning outcomes
UIAA description: The BMC operates a public accident and incident reporting system designed by volunteers and based on peer-reporting. The system receives around 50 reports per years that are used to inform safety campaigns and to publicise reports with good learning outcomes.
Reporting Results: Public data:
https://www.incidents.thebmc.co.uk/responses#
Reporting Results: Public data:
https://www.incidents.thebmc.co.uk/responses#
American Alpine Club
Accidents in North American Climbing
Language: English
Scope: Climbing and mountaineering (general), incl. ski mountaineering
Analyses/Purpose: Focussing on education through example: narrative reports and analysis. The AAC have tracked data for decades, while recognizing that its usefulness is somewhat limited by the database format and by issues with consistency and thoroughness of data collection and recording. The AAC is very interested in learning about ways to improve its data collection and presentation.
UIAA description: The Accidents book has been published annually by the AAC since 1948. Each edition documents and analyzes the year’s most significant and teachable climbing accidents in narrative form. In addition, tables at the end of the book summarize data from 150 to 200 accidents each year. We cover all forms of technical climbing, from bouldering to mountaineering, as well as ski mountaineering ascents and descents. About 13,000 copies of the book are distributed, mostly to members of the AAC but also the general public. Some editions have been translated into Spanish and Chinese.
Reporting Results:
Annual book: http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/about_the_accidents#
Monthly stories: https://americanalpineclub.org/prescriptionSearchable report archive: http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/
Annual book: http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/about_the_accidents#
Monthly stories: https://americanalpineclub.org/prescriptionSearchable report archive: http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/
Recommendations for Best Practices
The UIAA Working Group in charge of this project will start providing recommendations of best practices for accident and near miss reporting systems from early 2025.
Want to share information about an accident reporting system?
Contact the UIAA with details:
