Balconing: an alcohol-induced craze that injures tourists. Characterization of the phenomenon

Abstract BACKGROUND Balconing is the term that has been given to consciously jumping into a swimming pool from a balcony or falling from height while climbing from one balcony to another in hotels during holidays METHOD A 5 years retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary referral centre for severe trauma in the Balearic Islands, where balconing is endemic. Demographic data such as age, sex, nationality, personal records, alcohol or drug consumption, height of the fall and season of the year were collected. Scales of trauma severity and mortality rates were also included. RESULTS Most of the patients were males, 45 (97.83%), aged 24.20 ± 5.98 years, 28 of them of British nationality (60.87%). In 44 (95.65%) cases, alcohol consumption was present accompanied by other drugs in 17 (36.96%) cases. The mean height of the fall was approximately 3 floors. Only 6 (13.04%) were intentional jumpers whereas 40 (86.96%) fell while trying to reach another balcony. CONCLUSION Balconing is a new injury mechanism for alcohol-related falls from heights. Alcohol and other drug consumption are almost always involved, so balconing could be addressed as another consequence of alcohol abuse and binge drinking.