Testing analysis has shown that falls on Pour-In-Place (PIP) are between 444% and 700% more likely to result in traumatic brain injury (TBI) or death than the average rubber mulch, and ours provides up to 100% better impact attentuation than other rubber mulches. The nature of injuries normally sustained during fall impacts on PIP are horrific, which ought to be conveyed to anyone even slightly considering placement of this terrible and expensive product within a playground. 

Statistically, children under age 6 tend to not only lack upper body and hand strength, they haven't learned to extend their arms to break their falls, so they tend to impact their face or head. Data also shows that kids tend to twist and turn as they fall, trying to correct or protect themselves, if they're old enough. The primary problem with PIP or pretty much any monolithic or unitary surface (including playground mats, tiles, synthetic turf with padding), is that it returns to its original shape after initial compression. What this means is the kinetic energy that's imparted to the PIP is put back against the child, while they're still falling downward, effectively amplifying and increasing the impact injury severity. 

If a young child lands on their face or head, a broken neck can likely occur, and the founder of this company received a phone call from a woman who witnessed this on a playground where PIP had just been installed. The paramedics could not resuscitate the toddler, who to her horror was pronounced dead at the scene. If a child knows to put out their arm to break their fall, then a long-bone radial or spiral fracture is common on PIP, normally running the entire length of the forearm. With this type of fracture, tendon damage or compound fracture can be a greater possibility, resulting in either physical limitations or potential amputation. The best scenario for this type of injury is reconstructive surgery involving rods, pins, screws and rehabilitation. 

Most people are completely unaware of these PIP characteristics, and why Dr. Donna Thompson said, "My number one goal is to get PIP out of every playground in the world." 

(This was from someone considered to be the foremost authority on playground safety, the Chair of ASTM & CPSC Boards for playground safety, and the executive director for the National Program for Playground Safety.)