Floating rib injuries are caused, in part, by a vulnerability in human anatomy. The rib cage, which is made up of 12 pairs of ribs, doesn't fully attach to other bones in the same way at all points.

Q: My husband slipped while out on his boat and cracked two ribs. He had a broken rib as a teenager (varsity football) and remembers having his chest wrapped, but that's not happening this time. Why ...