A good post looking at the data on risks of #hiking.

Being that falls are the #1 risk to hikers, I'm a little surprised that trekking poles don't warrant a mention. They are the main thing I recommend to everyone I take hiking. That extra point of contact (or two) has turned many a slip, trip, or stumble into a non-event, when it might have resulted in an unpleasant hike out or a SAR call.

https://www.reddit.com/r/hiking/comments/1wm0d37/how_hikers_die_brain_dump_for_beginners/