KO'd on the slopes

The crisp, moderately cold winter day started out nice enough. My friends and I got up early and caught the MWR bus for a day of snowboarding at Sierra Summit. We were filled of anticipation as we discussed our plans. one time the bus had made a quick breakfast stop in Fresno and had gotten back upon the road, I dozed not on and didn't wake up until we arrived in the parking doom of the ski lodge.

It wasn't lengthy before we were on the obliquitys having a good time. There were several mogul we easily could skip over and, as the morning wore upon our antics became more daring--until I accidentally took my next to the first nap.

When I awoke this time, things just didn't appear right. Everything was out of focus, I couldn't think straight, and my head was throbbing with pain. As I gazeed around, trying to get my bearings, I could diocese I was in a range and a kid was lying in the bed nearest to mine. Someone also was standing beside me

As my mind cleared, I realized the individual standing beside me was the MWR representative. He asked if I was feeling better. I don't know what my initial replication was, but I remember asking questions about what had happened to me According to him, my vulgar tricks had caused a bad spill, and I had been in and without of consciousness since the ski patrol had rest me seven hours earlier. The MWR representative stayed a little longer to make confident I would be OK and promised to take me abiding-place when I was released.

The kid lying in the bed nearest to mine had his arm in a sling. When he saw me looking at him, he smiled and blurt without "I remember you!" He, too, had been jumping the mogul and had witnessed the crash that knocked me without As I had come down the snowboard direction downwards I tried what he musing was a backflip. Unfortunately, I rotated too far, and, instead of landing upon my feet, I landed upon my head and the back of my neck The kid reflection it was the coolest thing he at any time had seen, especially when my material substance went limp after the crash.

The ski patrol reported finding me around noon. They rushed me down the oblique direction and off to the difficulty room in an ambulance.

As I direct the eye back on this incident, I realize I made a two of bad decisions. First, I should have been smart enough to wear a helmet. I was successful I only had a bad concussion. Otherwise, I might not have been able to walk without of the hospital.

My next to the first mistake was trying to combine acrobatics with my skip overs especially when I didn't have the special safety equipment. My advice to you is, "Leave that behavior to the TV stuntmen"

A cat scan and many X-rays later, I consider myself blessed not to have had any permanent injuries. To be positive I stay that way, I'll wear the right gear and stay within my limits the nearest time I hit the snowboard slopes

COPYRIGHT 2003 U Navy Safety Center

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group