My uncle suffered a devastating fall in Hawaii on a routine trail. He slipped on mud and fell of trail about 8 feet, suffering a compound fracture of his lower leg. The bone broke the skin and mud got into the wound. He fought the resulting infection for two years, spent time in the ICU and nearly lost his leg. He finally got the right ID doc on his case and cleared the infection but is permanently lame. It happened in an instant. He had hiked the world and was taken out by a patch of mud
I hope your girlfriend has a speedy recovery. I had been putting off getting a Garmin Inreach, but we were in Canyonlands last Oct and walked up to a medical crisis. My wife helped with CPR on a woman in distress, and I was trying to get a ranger and more help to the scene. If I had the Garmin, I think we could've gotten first responders there faster. For our safety and others, I now have a satellite device.
First hand experience I have the inreach, first responders took 9 hours to get to us. 8 miles from a boat launch, and an hour till communication really established. Edit reason. We Had a body float up to our camp and had to call it in.
This video has definitely redefined my solo hiking trips for sure. Getting a sat device for sure now, even if all I do with it is help someone else out.
@@Trash-CastleI am so interested in this. Did you ever hear what happened to the body? Did you learn why he washed up? Ever find out if it was foul play or accident? Sorry I get pretty curious. I lost a cousin to a boating accident and he was never found.
I was a Wildlife Agent. I was in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. I went to get off the boat onto an unmanned oil platform. My foot went out from under me. In an instant my brain said you are about to brake your leg. My brain prepared itself. Somehow it did not happen. I was fine. I just came to understand my situation and how far away from help I was. This was 25 years ago. A few years later I almost had my head taken off by a wire strung across a shallow lake. Shit happens in life no matter how much we prepare. Best to both of you. Love the videos.
Takeaways for me as a solo hiker: 1) Invest in a Garmin or similar device. 2) Add an ACE bandage or roll of Coban to my first aid kit. That and a trekking pole can make a decent splint. 3) Always take my poles. They're small, light and collapsible and even if they are needed for hiking can still be useful. Thanks for sharing Kyle. Prays for an easy and successful recovery for your gf.
This happened to me 25 years ago I was out scouting where I was hunting and was about 2 miles to hike around the back side of the mountain to my truck. I got my foot hung up in a hole thats was in between some big roots of a tree. My left foot was literally pointing backward and cell phones weren't a thing then. I ended up sleeping in the woods unprepared and basically hopped and crawled to my truck the next evening and made it to the hospital where I had surgery and after recovering from that a couple months of physical therapy to walk on it again. I'm glad you were with her and not too far into your hike. Hope she heals up with no issues. One thing I did learn is now I'm always prepared to spend the night in the woods if anything happens even on a short hike. Love the channel and thanks for the story and glad it ended up better than it could have even though it still sucked.
Wow.... pretty tough dude. That had to be a hard night. Yea, even when hunting close to my truck I always have on a small day pack with basic survival gear, a small tarp, fire making material, First Aid Kit, a folding saw, a compass, and even some food. Glad you made it out. It could easily gone the other way.
@@WayneTheSeine I do now that night total sucked thank god it wasn't to cold and didn't rain but at almost 60 now I usually don't go alone anymore and way more prepared than i was that night.
I can tell you really care for this woman. I'm glad you're both going to be okay. This is also an outstanding reminder that having a GPS communication device is crucial.
This happened to a friend of mine, but getting off a bus. Walking to the door as it came to a stop, one little misstep, mangled leg. It's crazy how fragile our bodies are. I hope your girlfriend recovers quickly, and I'm glad the situation wasn't worse!
You’re absolutely not a bummer 😂 I really appreciate your passion for reviewing what your part is in the situation. To see if it could’ve been a different outcome. I, too, am so grateful as well that everyone was ok in this situation. As a retired ER nurse the fact you can see how much worse it could’ve been is all the lesson you need.
I was a Scoutmaster for 15 years, camping, hiking and backpacking, being responsible for other people kids for over 360 days. In your possible scenarios you never mention solving the problem yourself. Sleeping pads make great splints, cold helps with pain, a stretcher is easy to make, ibuprofen helps. I once made my scouts hike 2 miles with a fake leg injury. it was hard but they did it. If you only have two sticks and some padding and shoe laces it helps a lot. There are specific wilderness first aid classes. Hope you girlfriend heals quickly.
I'm an EMT-I who has taken Wilderness EMS for wilderness SAR (mantracker). We had to make splints and other carrying devices out of only things we had on us, and learned different ways to carry someone (backpack carry, firefighter carry etc). We got very creative but it worked. You just have to think outside the box.
If anyone is going to train for an emergency, it had better be with serious professionals. Easy to learn bad things from someone who isn't properly educated. Definitely good to look into classes!
I took a Red Cross First Aid course because I am a tour guide (urban). I was struck by how the lessons presumed you would have all the supplies necessary. I suppose because most of the people taking it were school employees or in some institutional setting. But I am not leading tours with a tourniquet packed. It would have been more help if they covered improvised supplies.
So glad she’s ok!! You sound a little traumatized, but I think you did great and I bet she does too. I love that you needed a cause for the accident in order to prevent it in the future but these freak things can happen I’m just so glad you were there with her. My mom had a similar injury and it was very painful and due to her age she took forever to heal. Best wishes to your sweetie ❤
It happens in a flash. I only broke my tibia and I was in town 10 minutes from a hospital. I can’t imagine it on a remote trail with no help. Sorry for your girlfriend. Great video. As others have pointed out, having a garmin or other device might not only help you, but others. Please take care of yourself too Kyle.
Wishing your girlfriend a speedy recovery. I broke my ankle in 3 places, end of July 2020, just by stepping down off a 6 inch high porch. I was tired and my foot went sideways so that when my body weight came crashing down it all landed on my ankle. I had to wait 2 weeks t have surgery due to swelling. Had plates and screws put in on both sides on my ankle. Recovery was going well. Doctor was watching a small pin head size area of the surgery area that was not healing. Finally the thought it was healing. Then late October the spot got what looked like a small pimple. Doctor told me I needed emergency surgery due to possible infection. Three days later had surgery to remove the plates & screws because I was apparently allergic to the metal. I am hoping to make it to trail days & it would be fantastic to meet ya.
You hit the nail on the head dude. As someone who spends quite a bit of time in the back country on Oahu, my concern has never been getting lost really, but rather finding myself in a situation where I physically can't get out. My GPS stays strapped to my pack that I take on anything to the Koolau summits, off trail, or more than a quick hike in an area with good cell coverage. My wife knows how to text to it so she can check in, and I turn on the tracking so she can keep an eye on my progress/position as well. Just having that line of cummunication is very comforting (and probably marriage saving haha). Obviously, we should all be taking a locator of some sort in all situations, but as a fellow Honolulu resident, PLEASE, PLEASE be sure to bring one if anybody is coming out here to hike. The big thing here seems to be people falling and becoming immobilized and covered up by the dense foliage. Earlier this year we had a woman saved from a Koolau summit hike after her dog (that wasn't even supposed to be on the trail but thank God it was) got the attention of other hikers and when they airlifted the dog out they saw her pack which led them to her. She had fallen like 200' and the dog scrambled down but couldnt get to her. The woman who called HFD about the dog even said she hesitated to call for the dog bc she worried about all the other things HFD may have pressing. Without her call, who knows how it would have turned out. With a locator, the woman who fell would have been able to send the alert herself. A lot of the more popular hikes on our island come with high risk. It is not uncommon at all for multiple people to fall around or over 1,000 feet here in a year. Especially on the gnarlier trails like Olomana/Pali Notches, etc. And its nit just ridges our stream crossings are very slippery as well. It is too easy for someone to try to keep their feet dry on a small crossing and break an ankle with no way of extracting themselves. Hope she heals up soon! I know which trail complex you're talking about, there's some really great hiking up there but you're right about the unmaintained stuff. And lots of pig trails that otherwise look like a normal footpath too. It can be very easy to get turned around in some of those bigger trail systems. Even more reason for a handheld. Btw, welcome to Oahu Kyle! If you live near Queens in town youre right down the street from me probably hahaha.
Dec 2022, I tripped in my bedroom on the way to bed, fell really wrong broke my right leg in 4 places. It was a long road to recovery and I am an avid hiker and in good shape too. I am able to hike again but will always exercise and stretch in order to keep mobility. Please encourage your girlfriend through her recovery and remind her to give herself grace. Even positive people need encouragement sometimes over the longhaul of recovery. Sending prayers for healing and full recovery.
Thank God for nice people you meet on trail ... and why it's good to always hike with someone when possible. Glad it all worked out fine and hoping for a speedy healing.
OMG, my daughter did this five years ago. Same exact thing hiking , totally broke her ankle. I honestly have thought all these years she wasn't telling me the whole story because I couldn't imagine how hiking could do such damage. It's like a mobster smashed her foot to teach her a lesson. She was a few miles into the woods, had to be carried out on a stretcher, had surgery and has two or three metal plates in her ankle. She's fine now and has a gnarly scar on her leg. Wishing her speedy healing.
Thanks for sharing this. And I don’t know if anyone else has commented this, so sorry if it’s redundant, but a lot of people don’t realize that iphone 14 has a built in satellite sos feature. So for those who don’t want the cost of the separate device, that may be an option. But best wishes to you and your girlfriend! I wish her a speedy and complete recovery!
I understand the pain. I snapped my leg after crashing a motorbike and tumbling over the edge of a small cliff. I had to wait 40 mins for help to arrive, and that pain was incredible! Wish her well and make sure she does lots of physiotherapy when the time is right. I don't walk with a limp because of that.❤
Yes she has to follow through with all the PT, it will hurt and can be a struggle, help her as much as possible, make sure you got ice and heat and enough pillows to rest/recover as she finishes each session. Have her Try not to take too many of the prescription meds, enough to help for a week or so but wean off and get to over the counter stuff as soon as she is comfortable. You don’t want that mess to deal with. She’ll be tough!! Sorry this happened.
Thanks for sharing and glad she's gonna be ok. One thing I've learned in my decades of living: of all the miles of back country hiking, of all the crazy dirtbike years, of all the gymnastics, the worst accidents/injuries I've had were during the most routine, basic action during an activity I've done a million times. My take on that is we all tend to go on auto-pilot during more routine, basic activities. That's the mistake. I know because I've made that mistake. I've seen others do the same. Accidents will always happen. I can see how shocked you are. Your first experience with a bad broken bone on an easy trail is your first sign post letting you know how fragile life can be... and how everything can change in a split second. Youth and strength doesn't necessarily keep you safe from that. Be well, Kyle. I hope your girlfriend recovers quickly.
I was convinced by you to get a garmin inreach mini last year. Considering the several close calls I encountered while on trail, such as falling tree branches, trips on a flat ground nearby a stump and sprained ankle, it makes absolutely sense to be over-prepared. I am glad you both are safe and wishes your girlfriend a quick and smooth recovery.
I broke the same bones playing volleyball on a grass court. Sounded like a baseball bat hitting a home run. 2 pins, a titanium plate and 7 screws, and years later, I barely notice it ever even happened. She will recover and have a heck of a story to tell. I’ll see you at trail days!
Praying for perfect healing- 8 weeks to heal bone. Will start carrying InReach mini on day hikes. Never used one but thought would borrow one I bought my son for remote backpacking. Will put backpacking first aid kit (has a splint) into day pack. May help self or other hiker.
Hope your girlfriend has a quick recovery. Take the time you need to process and heal from this. Mentally and emotionally, your focus was on doing everything for your girlfriend in the quickest and safest way possible. When the storms pass, it's hard to make the transition in coping with what happened. Hopefully this video was a great way for you to talk about it. We're here for you.
Same happened to my husband about a month ago, walking down the stairs. He slipped and his ankle just snapped. He didn’t even fall 3 steps. It just takes one wrong move or twist, and you are screwed. He has heard so many stories of people ending up injured, paralyzed, or worse because of a misstep or slip. It is amazing how fragile our bodies actually are.
Broke my femur a few years back on the mountain. I’ve never felt more vulnerable than I did in that moment and the two years that followed. Finally got a Garmin in reach and it only took one hike with it for me to realize I’ll never head out without it again. Good lesson and great video man.
Oh wow! I’m so sorry this happened to your girlfriend. I hope she has a full, speedy recovery. I appreciate you sharing this experience. You did a great job with this. It is a very important message for anyone who hikes alone. I will be getting a personal locator and taking additional precautions that I normally don’t on short hikes. Again, wishing you the best.
I hope her recovery is swift. I fractured my tib/fib with subsequent surgery and I’m also an RN, so I understand the pain she went thru. A very important video…. Thank you both for the insight into how easily your day can change due to an accident. Much light and love going out to her!! ✌️🙂❤️
This is a sobering reminder that accidents can and do just happen and not everything has a clear explanation. As a trail runner it freaks me out a bit, a reminder that we should be grateful for our physical state and ability every day. hope she makes a full recovery! Sounds like a very scary experience for you both. Take care, thank you for sharing.
Incidents like this are the reason I carry an iNReach no matter were I hike. It may not save you the rescue time but it saves you the time for someone to walk out and call for help. Freak accidents happen all the time and you have to think about how am I going to get help for me or someone else if? So lucky things turned out well. And Im glad you had another person to help you. Keep up the great work Kyle.
Don't sweat taking the time off, dude. I know that's easier said than done, but you (obviously) did the right thing. Take care of yourself and your family. Work will always be there to come back to when you're ready. Wishing her a quick and easy recovery! Glad she's ok!
I hope your girlfriend recovers quickly. Stuff like this is why I have a Garmin inReach Messenger. I also have a Recco Backpack Rescue Reflector attached to my backpack, although it's only useful in certain areas, like the PNW, where there are organizations with the proper radar search equipment. It's nice because it's cheap, weighs about 10g, and doesn't need batteries or charging.
Happened to a friend when stepping off a sidewalk onto the parking lot. Just stepping down “wrong.” Nothing was there and he had no underlying medical issues. Just a random misstep. Garmin released stats that a decent percentage of people using the SOS were car travelers. This surprised me at first, but then I thought about how many times I travel on roads in Colorado with no cell service. If I hit a deer or something happened on the road, having my Garmin could be a lifesaver. So I need to start keeping my Inreach in the car even when just driving to my parents house.
This happened to a neighbor of mine years ago. Very similar setup and exactly the same sort of break. We found out much later that she was on hormones for IVF which exacerbated osteoporosis and caused her bones to become very brittle. She would re-break the OTHER leg a couple years later in a similar accident. Some people suffer low bone density for unknown reasons, and that can be exacerbated by diet, hormones, etc. Your girlfriend may want her bone density checked after she has recovered, and talk to her doctor about other ways in increase it if it is low.
Yeah I broke tib and fib with 3 breaks the hospital said when I slipped over. My leg separated from my foot it was freaky. Happened 2007. I had also broken the same leg in the 90s. It's left me with some back pain if I carry a bit of a heavy bag.
Hang in there. She’ll heal. 🌺 I’m so glad you have each other. Dealing with an injury like this alone sucks in a special way. Sending positive vibes! ✨💫✨
Additional; a locator device is only immediately good if you are able to reach it/push it yourself. And only good for others to find you if it is on/has power and anyone in fact knows you are out on trail. So letting others know your plans, and when to call for help for you if needed… I wish your girlfriend and you all the best in recovery. And thank you to her for agreeing to the story getting told too.
We haven’t really slacked off in this area of letting someone know when we go. Thanks for the reminder! I’m not sure why people don’t leave there PLDs on. If they get injured to a point of going unconscious, that’s the only way someone’s can find them if they are remote. All in all I really appreciate Kyle consistently reminding viewers to get one. They have definitely saved lives!
Glad she is getting better. My wife turned her ankle (moderate sprain) about a mile into the Kalalau Trail on Kauai. (I know you did this one). Somehow we made it back to the car. Would have been awful if a more severe injury a mile in. I’m getting an InReach for stuff like this. Really glad she is on the mend. Glad you updated everyone.
I was in the police for 10 years and then worked for a laboratory at a hospital. Ive seen serious injuries throughout my life. Accidents just happens. Its amazing how quick things can go wrong even when you did everything right. Interestingly afterwards people always try to make sense of it. Trauma takes time to process and recover from. Alow yourself to mourn what happened. Telling your story is a great tool to better prepare hikers .
One of the reasons I enjoy the channel so much is because I don't get to hike the trails as often as I'd like -- I won't go anywhere by myself. I'm not a paranoid person, but I did have a fairly creepy experience once that informed my outlook on that. And obviously there's many other things that can turn from bad to worse if you don't have a partner with you.
That's awful! Wishing her a speedy recovery. ❤️ As someone who works with patients that have very limited mobility, walking is one of the things I'm most grateful for in my life.
Best wishes to your girlfriend, and you! Did a very similar thing on Burke Mt (Vermont), Red trail--partway down, alone with my dogs, slipped on mud, broke my arm on a granite rib, walked myself out, drove the dogs home, then drove myself to the hospital. It worked out ok, and I always have my Garmin.
If your listeners care anything about you, they will understand your past inconsistency as well as the weeks to come. Take it easy if you need to. Hope she has a full and complete recovery❤
this past January I fell from ice outside my door and shattered my right tibia, phone was inside, I live alone but thankfully my sister and her husband are my neighbors I laid in the snow about a half hour screaming till my brother inlaw saw me thankfully! the pain is undescribable I now have 2 plates and 16 screws in me BUT I'M STILL HERE. speedy recovery to her, it's been 12 weeks for me and I'm still in a walker, just got the ok to start putting full weight on it. I am healthy and never had any broken bones no osteoporosis, just landed bad I guess. thanks for sharing and best wishes to you both.
I’m sorry to hear about your girlfriend’s injury. I hope she recovers quickly. It supports my opinion that whenever you go hiking, bring sufficient supplies to spend a night or two in the woods. All it takes is one slip on a rock, wind up with a broken ankle or leg, and you can’t hike back.
I suffered a trimalleolar fracture about 3 years ago when I was out walking my dog, same kind of deal - just slipped and fell wrong. The recovery is long and painful but with lots of patience and physical therapy it’s possible! Wishing her a smooth recovery and you both the best! ❤️
Glad she's okay! I personally do not like Hoka Speedgoat shoes. I've almost rolled my ankle because of the high stack of the shoe. The iPhone has sos, I think now. Most phones will start offering sos out of service area. Garmin inreach device is the way 2 go !💯
I hiked in Hoka's last year and have never slipped, tripped and fell more in one season then in 2023. Fortunately my worst fall was only bruises and open cuts. No more Hoka's ever for hiking.
Hopefully good news, I slipped and broke these bones about 8 years ago. Rods and pins were used. I have no problems with these, I hike, walk and everything works fine. I can sort of feel the metal when I cross my leg on my knee, but it is not painful. Best wishes to her. It is annoying to be on crutches.
That is so helpful to hear! I am just recently walking again after a bone break and I always appreciate hearing the results and that others have gone on to return to hiking.
Kyle, you did everything right under the circumstances. I don't hike, but my son and his girlfriend do (I'm in Central New York, they are in Seattle). Because of your channel, I asked him a while ago if he had any kind of personal locator, and he said no. After this video, I'm definitely buying him one. He'll have to pay the subscription (they are in their late thirties and both work), but if I send him a Garmin Inreach as a present, he'll be more likely to do that! Thanks, Kyle. Without your channel, I wouldn't know such a thing existed, let alone that he should have one.
Thanks for the reminder and confirmation to be prepared, even on short hikes. I bring a bunch of stuff (first aid, extra water, food, warm clothes, rain gear, emergency blanket) on my conditioning hikes, including an InReach. I do get some looks but the cliche is true: better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I'm certified for first aid and CPR. The stuff I bring may not be for me: I may encounter someone on the trail that needs assistance. A fall, a twisted ankle or broken leg can change a routine day into a serious situation. Thanks for this episode.
Oh my God Kyle! I could hear your voice shaking while you shared your story. Prayers and hugs for you and your girlfriend. Yeah, sometimes freak accidents just happen for no reason. I had a freak accident a long time ago when I was 19 years old and stationed in Hawaii. Wound up with a broken ankle, torn tendons and ligaments. Holy hell, I was in so much pain. I was in a cast for months, took a long time to recover. I'm so grateful that you all were still close to a vehicle and could get her to the ER so quickly. Yep, shit happens. You take the time you need to just breathe. Very scary situation. And in the unlikely event that I decide to go on a hike, I will get myself a Garmin GPS. Your videos on all the people who disappear and die have scared the living shit out of me as far as hiking goes. But I'm almost 60, old and decrepit. Getting too old to take those kinds of chances. They say life is what happens when you're making other plans.
So glad your girlfriend is ok! Something very similar happened to my husband. He went to turn around to go the bathroom and however he turned and whatever he stepped on snapped his ankle. Another time my husband knelt down to tie his shoe and something sharp stabbed him in the leg. He almost bled out before we could get him to the hospital. Anyway thanks for sharing your story. Speedy recovery to your partner! ❤
I'm currently "off trail" from the AT due to an injury, myself. I do plan on making it back shortly and WILL be aiming to be at Trail Days this season! Hope to meet you.
Glad she's going to be okay. My mom bought me an in-reach when I hiked the Oregon Coast Trail, despite my protests about weight. I carry it everywhere now!!
Sometimes these freak injuries just happen. When I was 16 and doing serious ballet training, I landed a jump wrong while practicing for an important exam and audition, and fractured the hell out of my hip. My osteologist was completely confused by the injury, but luckily, after a year of gentle physio and limping around on a cane, it healed completely with no lasting effects other than ending my chances at a professional dance career. 30 yrs later I have no problems with it, and I still hike, and even went back to dancing. It was just a complete accident, and I was lucky to have been young and healthy enough for it to have healed completely. Also lucky that it happened in a dance studio with a phone and other people there, rather than in the middle of nowhere!
This is one of the most important videos you have posted. I have a friend whose son was a very experienced hiker who tripped and fell off a cliff and was killed instantly. His hiking companion was able to notify park service; they retrieved his body and flew him back home. This is probably what happened to some of the missing hikers who are never found. Get a Garmin or satellite phone if you insist on hiking alone-or even with someone else. Glad your girlfriend is recovering.
My heart goes out to her. A similar thing randomly happened to me. I was visiting a friend and slipped on little rocks in her driveway. I broke three bones (talus, fibula, tibia) and dislocated my ankle. My foot was pointing the wrong direction. Surgery to reconstruct the joint (metal plate and screws) and after had to elevate my foot over my heart for 6 weeks. It was rough. Rigorous commitment to Physical Therapy was the way forward for me. That was nine years ago. I am able to walk 2 miles every day with no limp, but I have to avoid higher impact activities. It does hurt and swell in bad weather. Stretching, massage, and elevation help, though. I am sorry she is going through this injury, but there is light on the other side. Again, PT is key.
I wish your girlfriend a complete recovery. We all want their to be a reason because it is more comforting to think we have complete control over our lives instead of subject to the whims of random chance. Sometimes things happen for no reason. I am so glad it wasn't worse because as you acknowledge it could have been worse. I have been carrying the basic daypack load out with the usual stuff: map, light, food, emergency shelter, layers, first aid, water, etc. I do not have an emergency locator beacon, mostly because I am not going off on remote trails and I have a cell phone but I have noted that it has no signal in many of the places I go. It is making me think about that e-beacon option harder.
I’m so sorry this happened and I hope she recovers quickly and isn’t scared off hiking. Don’t let this freak you out enough to leave your passions. Thank you for sharing the experience and especially for pushing the message for GPS message devices. Having these devices are a blessing.
I know someone who broke her ankle severely walking down the steps of her front porch. She was laid up, in bed, for several months. That can happen anywhere. My friend was so injured she couldn’t get back inside her house to call for help. She didn’t have her phone on her, she was at home. It really can happen anywhere.
This is a sobering reminder and lesson not just about wilderness safety, but for all aspects and moments in life, that anything can happen suddenly. Glad she is okay and is recovering well, but I wish her the best and speediest recovery possible. No worries about the podcast, you need to take care of your family first.
I knew how it broke as soon as you said she just slipped. My ex bf tripped over a door jamb, fell on a carpet, and broke his leg. It tore his Achilles tendon and it snapped back with so much force it broke both his bones in his lower leg and his ankle. He even had to have surgery. Just from tripping in his own house on the way to the bathroom.
My sister and one of my besties both sustained severe breaks simply walking along. My sister, her leg, and my bestie, her elbow. They weren't even hiking, but kind of fell off the sidewalk. I hope your gal's healing goes well.
Yikes! As a year round, mostly solo hiker in The White’s, I’ve never had an SOS device. I guess I better get me one of those! Thank you for sharing this story. So scary! Best wishes to your girlfriend for a quick and complete recovery.
Our son is always out on remote runs/hikes/back packs (often by himself) so as a Christmas gift we got him a satellite emergency device and paid for him to take first aid courses for the outdoor activities and CPR. He used his satellite phone to contact us when his back packing group he organized found a smoldering fire in the Sierra Nevada mountains. They were able to reach CalFire who responded as did a local ranger. The first CalFire guy came in on horse back! Before the help arrived the group used their bear cans to bail water and do a bucket line from a lake. All ended well! Always be prepared, no excuses nowadays.
I was hiking a two mile loop trail and came upon a very short step down and just landed the wrong way. Wasn’t like it was steep or slippery anything and I tore my ACL and broke my tibial plateau. Complete freak accident as well. As women we are more susceptible to broken bones but the human body is amazing yet vulnerable. I’m glad she is on the mend.
This exact scenario happened to me last year...I was hiking down from a day hike on the front range in Colorado, with my sticky souls and hiking poles as usual, and I saw a couple in front of me. The woman slipped on some gravel and broke her leg. I was the first to come upon them, and since I have emergency first aid training I was able to do a quick evaluation and keep her still while treating for shock until the paramedics came. In her case, she wasn't wearing hiking shoes, just a slippery fashion sneaker, and she probably wasn't aware of the dangers until it happened. People really do go hiking without the proper gear and training these days, so these stories are becoming more common. All the best to your girlfriend in her recovery.
As a Family Practice Doctor with Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care Medical practice for 27 years; I can tell you a lot about what happened. It was an ACCIDENT! It was not “on purpose”- so, please don’t beat yourself up over it!! We call them “Accidents” because that’s what they are!! Heck!! I’ve had my fair share of accidents and on purposes!! Trust yourself!
So sorry to hear this, I hope she has a speedy recovery. I've spent a ton of time alone in remote locations, often off-trail and without a garmin, and breaking my ankle has always been in the back of my mind, so this felt like you were speaking directly to me. Definitely thinking about buying one. This is also why I wear quality leather boots when I'm going to be off trail in rugged conditions.
Thanks for the video. When I was 10 years old I was attending a nighttime Cub-Scout event at a local indoor swimming pool. When the lifeguard blew his whistle for everyone to exit the pool for a 5 minute break, just after exiting the pool I inadvertently stuck my big toe into a light socket that was missing it's normal insulated cover. I was badly electrocuted and fell back into the pool after the circuit-breaker flipped and the lights went out. I was temporarily paralyzed and almost drowned but no one could see what happened to me because it was pitch black. My point is, serious accidents can happen anywhere for almost any reason. If people are always worried about some freak accident occurring, it takes all the fun out of it. Just be careful in whatever you do and try to have fun.
Many years ago my daughter broke her elbow in the most bizarre way, and it was a holiday weekend no less. Thankfully we were in our own yard when it happened. She fell and landed on soft grass but landed in a way that broke her elbow clean across in three spots. Doctor said it was one of the hardest breaks to accomplish and none of us could figure out how she did it. I saw the injury as it happened and it still puzzles me to this day. Thankfully, she made a full recovery. My point in sharing this is that I fully understand freak accidents happen 😮
I am an avid solo kayaker/hiker/camper. Accidents happen frequently for no apparent reason. I have never had to use my Garmin Inreach and I hope that I never have to...yet, I am glad that I have it. Prayers for a quick recovery for your girlfriend.
4 years ago I was coming out of the Drs office walking to my car and my ankle just suddenly turned and I broke it! I was walking fast but did not step in a rut it stone, etc. There was no reasonable explanation for it! So I totally get it! I was a bit scared of it happening again and wore a good ankle brace for a year hiking after I was cleared, but honestly it can happen anywhere! Praying your GF heals quickly and completely! 🙏
Somebody's probably said this already, but the tibia is your shin bone. It's the big bone in the front and the fibula is the thinner bone behind it. They sit on top of your ankle and they provide rotation - same thing as the ulna and radius in your forearm . They are what allow that amazing twisting and turning we can do. And in the medical field, we call their fracture a tib-fib fracture. Very common - I did it in the San Francisco BART system when my leg slipped out from under me on a wet train platform! And frankly, that's where I would prefer to do it and not out hiking! I wish for a speedy recovery for your partner! (And we carry a Garmin Inreach Mini. we don't hike much but we have a camper van and we travel and we're both seniors and there's a lot of the country that still doesn't have cell service so it just makes a lot of sense to spend 12 bucks a month on a basic plan because we never know when we're gonna pick up and take another trip)
It is events like this that certainly makes me think differently about how I pack and plan for things. We all have our own journey to live and learn through. I used to aim for dark bland colors in my gear; now I am for bright "please see that I am here" type gear. I have been hauled off trail by SAR before on a UTV and I never want to experience that again. Taught my dog to bark on command to help them locate me. The whistle on hand was struggling to be loud enough. And certainly more listening to my body (I have a heart condition that causes me to collapse when I overdo things, but it wasn't always like that)
I'm going through something similar. I'm an avid bike rider but 2 weeks ago my front tire just slipped and dumped me. Broke a couple ribs and collar bone, luckily I've had headaches that were far more painful but anyway I'm looking around an people doing normal things and I'm just nervous watching them, like I gotta warn them they're fragile. Human body is so tough and so fragile at the same time. Hope she heals quickly and the pain subsides.
I’m so glad she is ok!! She is strong and will heal in no time! And yes you keep telling us about having devices in us to call for help. Do not shy away!! We need these consistent reminders. Isn’t this exactly how most of these missing hikers passed away? I know they are missing, but this is truly an example of what most likely happened to most of them:(
All the best to your gf! And thanks for reminding people how important a Satcom device like an InReach can be. My "wish I had an InReach" story was when I dropped my phone into a creek, disabling my only GPS, and had to work my way out up a steep and dangerous canyon. All of which would have been fine and a fun story, but it took several days. Since I had no InReach then, my wife didn't know what had happened and got SAR out after me. As I was making my way out, no more than a mile from my car (which, in that country, could have taken all day), I ended up getting heli'd out with food in my pack and a full water bottle because I had no way to tell anyone I was ok. (And once SAR find you, they're taking you out.) Moral of the story: Satcom can be useful when you're in trouble to either bring help or keep them from having to deploy. I now have mine on me any time I might be out of cell range.
Glad she's ok and I wish her a speedy recovery. My girlfriend and I are planning our through hike of the AT in the next couple of years. She's not experienced at all and she is very much looking forward to it. I've scheduled us for bushcraft first aid classes at REI (2 days worth) and I have a number of smaller test hikes planned. First aid is my biggest concern. Six months on our own in very remote areas is really concerning. Certainly you can't be prepared for everything, but you can still be prepared. Anything could go wrong and I want us to have the confidence to not freak out and just manage the problem. The training isn't just for our benefit, having skilled first aiders on trail is immensely important. I guess my soapbox is - get some training. Spend a day or two in your prep schedule to learn how to apply a tourniquet, learn wound care and managing broken bones. It may save your life, or someone you care about, or someone else. Thanks.
Hawaii’s mud is really slippery. And, accidents do happen. Keep reppin the GPS devices, Kyle! I finally got a Garmin InReach to solo hike the Kalalau Trail on Kauai in 2021. My backpacker friend got it for me as a trail present, and since then I can’t imagine going solo hiking without it. I turn the monthly service plan off when I’m not hiking much.
You weren’t a bummer. It’s necessary info for people who don’t think they need any form of communication on trail. As a RN & hiker I have an Inreach mini & the newer iPhones also have an SOS feature. I also hike with a decent med kit. The weight is minimal. I’ve crashed 3 times on trail (never that bad, thank goodness) praying for continued strength & recovery.
That's terrifying. So glad she is ok- relatively speaking. I hike alone in the NEK of VT all of the time. Last year I tripped and hit my head on a rock. It really made me think. I have been talking a lot lately about getting an inreach. Thanks for the extra push. It's scary how fast things can go terribly wrong. My cousin broke his tibia-fibula mountain biking alone last year. Thankfully, someone heard him screaming and came to help him. Freak things happen in a heartbeat. Sending healing vibes her way!
Wishing your girlfriend a speedy recovery ❤ thanks for sharing the experience. Your channel has taught me valuable lessons and it's changed for the better how my hubs and I camp. You've made it safer for us. Freak accidents can still happen. Lots of love to you both ❤
Freak accidents happen. My son was playing basketball at the YMCA on Sunday and a guy tripped him and fell on his leg and his achilles snapped off and now he has to have surgery to have it reattatched. Sadly thesr freak things happen. Hope your girlfriend recovers 100% and is doing well.
Kyle, you are still suffering from shock. I hope this video helps you get some peace. Your girlfriend will heal. First hand experience. I was a double black diamond skiing regular. We intersected with a green run, a snow snake tripped me (ha, ha!) and I moved my knee cap 1 inch. My daughter, a roller derby girl, was at a roller rink for fun fell down 2 steps, her left leg is full of metal. My husband was pronounced dead after a car accident. Thank God for the policeman saw he wasn't. Our attitude is crap happens. "It is your attitude that helps you over come problems, I say this as I am a cancer survivor." I wish your girlfriend a speedy recovery and you find peace. And don't give up hiking! ❤
Wishing your girlfriend a speedy and comfortable recovery and healing. I hope you are able to heal, too. You are always so caring and concerned in your videos for the victims and family, but your care and worry is so evident here. We can see how much it really affected you. I'm so sorry, and appreciate you sharing this personal story with us. All the best to you both! Take care and be well!
Sorry to hear about your girlfriend’s accident! It’s crazy how things happen sometimes. My family bought me a Garmin 66I for my birthday since I’ve started my 46 journey. I’ve hiked for years, always with my fiancé who is a 46 er. I will feel much safer having this technology on the trails. I really enjoy your videos and have learned from other’s mistakes. Hope for a speedy recovery!
Tib/fib fractures are not that rare (MMA fighters, soccer players and apparently hikers) and the way they happen without warning makes them so dangerous when out on a walk. I had a boulder roll away from under me on a solo day-hike and it totally could so easily have been one of these… Take care folks! All the best for Leila and her injury, much blessings for her recovery.
I'm glad you are talking about this. I can tell it really rattled you and talking about it really helps. Keep spreading the word about being prepared when out on trail. Ten Essentials are key along with a gps locator, and first aid training. Speedy recovery for your girlfriend!
@@trailtalespod I feel you. My husband shattered his radius and ulna the week after I became a ski patroller. We were jumping on the outside of the half pipe, and he didn't change back to heel side and dropped 13 feet to flat in front of me. The part that got me was when they reset his wrist in front of me at the hospital. No one should see a wrist manipulated like that EVER. The 3 months of first aid training that I just went through helped me keep my cool when it initially happened and that is why I always suggest everyone that partakes in the outdoors should have some sort of training. It really does keep one focused, calm and increases the percentage of survival. Let her know that it is WAY better to break a bone than tear a ligament or tendon. The recovery time is so much faster with bone breaks.
This is a useful incident to learn from. Thanks for sharing. About a year ago, I sprained and fractured my ankle on a weekend solo backpacking trip. Luckily, it wasn't anywhere near as bad as your girlfriend's injury, and I was able to (painfully) hike out the 5 miles to a town. But if I had a proper leg break, nobody was around to help, and I would've had to call mountain rescue. It's certainly made me evaluate risk differently since then.
I am so sorry to her this. Had a similar experience 4 weeks ago. Did a super easy hike with next to no elevation gain alongside a creek. Slipped as well, my left leg collapsed under me. Let's say I got lucky that I did not sustained any tears to my ligaments. Recovery will be anywhere from 4 to 6 months. Stuff like this happen out of the blue. Keep taking care of your GF and take all the time you need to deal with it.
My dad slipped and broke his leg last month as well. He was right near home but still needed an airlift, which took ages since the rescue team had to hike up and carry him to a clearing so he could be picked up. Luckily his friend has a sat phone, which meant he didn’t need to leave my dad to hang out while he hiked down to find signal. You never know when stepping on a rock or loose gravel or literally nothing at all can make you slip or trip. (Dad got a kick out of announcing that he survived backpacking the Grand Canyon a few months ago but a local trail took him out. So it was all worth it in the end!)
A weeks ago my wife was going out to the mail box and stepped on the edge of the sidewalk and twisted her right ankle. As she started to fall her left knee bent backwards and down she went. She yelled out for help as her cell phone was in the house. I was in the back of the house and could not hear her. Our neighbor did hear her and came to the rescue, my wife said I was in the house, she rang the door and I came to find my wife on the ground in pain. My wife was not able to stand so I called 911. Because your knee is not to ment be bent backwards, it did a lot of damage and needed surgery to repair. My point here is that things can happen anywhere, lf our neighbor had not heard her calling out and I was not home how long would she have had to lay there before help arrived. Speedy recovery to your girlfriend so you both can get back on the trail.
I’m so sorry to hear about this. I hope she recovers quickly and fully. I sprained my ankle really badly, just “stepping wrong” on a hike. The ground was flat. Thankfully I was able to walk out and was close to the trailhead. I’m glad it wasn’t worse.
I’m so sorry this happened to her. Being an OR nurse on an ortho team I have seen a lot of crazy breaks with stories to go along with them. Sometimes things just happen and with breaks it just depends on how you land. I wish her a speedy recovery and glad she’s on the mend. Always remember family should always come first and you did the right thing with your channel.
Blessings to your girlfriend for a full recovery. Thanks for sharing this. I recently started carrying my Garmin device on short hikes into the hills close to my Idaho home. I was feeling that I was being a bit silly, but no more. When I was in elementary school, I was approaching a small cabin near the runway at Bellows. The man inside reached and a drug me inside just as a towline from a glider launch vehicle slammed into the ground nearby. Dodged a bullet that day...
You responded to her responsibly, quickly acting AND thinking rationally. Good on you Kyle. And. We don’t get to know WHY things happen. But you dealt with it as well as anyone could have expected. Above and beyond ❤thanks for sharing 12:56
