When VR becomes an emergency

VR glasses are becoming increasingly popular. As a result, there are also more injuries associated with virtual reality (VR) - sometimes with devastating consequences.

Virtual reality is being used more and more frequently by all kinds of people. Unfortunately, this doesn't always work well. When you have VR glasses on your head, you can no longer see where you are stepping in reality. How this Wall Street Journal reports, the growing popularity of reality-distorting glasses is also having a devastating side effect: more and more injuries, some of them serious.

The lack of vision is not the only problem when wearing the VR headset. Some users become so absorbed in their role that they are no longer aware of themselves during physical exertion and can sometimes contort themselves.

This is exactly what happened to Jake Masters from the US state of North Carolina. He told the Wall Street Journal that he dislocated his shoulder while fighting in a virtual coliseum. Worse still, Masters had injured the exact same spot years earlier while boxing. As he had not been allowed to box since then, he resorted to the virtual game. He thought it was safe, as it wasn't real. But far from it: he had to undergo physiotherapy for his shoulder for months.

A 31-year-old man broke his neck

Last year, the Journal of Medical Case Reports an article about a 31-year-old German who broke his neck while playing a VR game. While wearing the VR headset, he performed a movement that required him to move his shoulder, arm and head at the same time. He then went to hospital with neck pain, where a traumatic neck fracture was discovered, which doctors believe was caused by intense and repetitive movements during the game.

Although the headsets are supplied with instructions, such as moving the furniture aside and taking regular breaks, many users simply ignore these when they are so engrossed in a game that they become intoxicated.

This was also the case for Taylor Murray, who first injured himself playing virtual boxing and weeks later also broke a vase playing virtual tennis - much to the chagrin of his wife. She told the Wall Street Journal that she doesn't think VR games are a suitable training method for her husband. She would rather he just went to the gym. Her husband, on the other hand, is unconvinced. He is certain that he will not repeat the same mistakes.

So always be careful when using VR!

Source: 3tn / wsj