Painfully Stupid

[survivalminister]

So here I was all ready to enjoy a day out of the snow save taking care of the animals. No problem--we took the snowblower out this morning and all was well. I figured no need for ice-melt (no need to mention that my: partner, brother, and guests disagreed with this) because the wind usually blows an adequate skiff of snow that covers the slick-spots.

So SM why did you wind up spending three hours in the ER this afternoon you might ask (or not)? The answer. Because when I went out this afternoon to take care of the turkeys...I slipped on the front step and landed on my ankle....at an "awkward" angle. My trauma surgeon brother easily diagnosed the problem. I (half) jokingly suggested he use our casting supplies. He countered with a ride to the ER. Now I'm laid up with a wrap and a consult with an orthopedic surgeon in the morning as I may need surgery.

There is a moral to this story. In SHTF situations (insert whatever likely or unlikely event of your choosing) stupidity and ego can cause serious consequences. We all need to check our egos and accept that none of us has all the answers. There was no good reason for me not to put ice-melt out. I was just irritated that everyone disagreed with me. Now I and my family are reaping the consequences of me being laid up. Ego may make us feel better emotionally about ourselves. It also, in my case doesn't help pay the medical bills.

I invite others to share their own moments of stupidity.

[Fight4Freedom]

Sorry for your pain. We all make mistakes.

[oldparanoia]

I am NOT using my front entrance. Thanks for reminding me why not.

[Grotius]

Also sorry for your discomfort.

Take it easy on yourself - a decision any of us could have made.

OTOH, also a lesson learned. In an environment when there is no ER, avoiding getting hurt in the first place will no doubt assume significantly greater importance.

Hope you recover quickly.

[survivalminister]

Originally Posted by Grotius

Also sorry for your discomfort.

Take it easy on yourself - a decision any of us could have made.

OTOH, also a lesson learned. In an environment when there is no ER, avoiding getting hurt in the first place will no doubt assume significantly greater importance.

Hope you recover quickly.

I'll be fine and have had worse injuries. However, you are absolutely right. Minimizing the risk of injury is vital. Something moderately annoying (like a broken ankle) is devastating in an enviroment with no ER/modern medical care.

[survivalminister]

Originally Posted by oldparanoia

I am NOT using my front entrance. Thanks for reminding me why not.

Yeah, another valuable lesson here--use our side entrance more.

[jingles]

You can buy spikes that slip over your shoes for 15$ at walmart.. invest in a pair when your better

[rpp]

Originally Posted by survivalminister

I'll be fine and have had worse injuries. However, you are absolutely right. Minimizing the risk of injury is vital. Something moderately annoying (like a broken ankle) is devastating in an enviroment with no ER/modern medical care.

I think it is important to point put that until relatively recently, perhaps the last 150 years, a broken ankle, often resulted in permanent disability and sometimes even death by secondary causes (infection, starvation, exposure, etc.). Only the wealthy and/or lucky recovered, or those who had friends and family who would care for them.

[TexSurvivalGuy]

Sorry for your pain.

Me - - - I'm stupid everyday - - it doesn't take a SHTF situation to bring that out!

But your post brings up a very critical point - - - people will need to know how to either get to medical aid, or how to do it themselves for people in their group, after SHTF.

A very good book is "Where There is no Doctor". Along with first aid books and the sort.

Again - - sorry to hear of your pain.

[survivalminister]

Originally Posted by jingles

You can buy spikes that slip over your shoes for 15$ at walmart.. invest in a pair when your better

Yeah, spikes were a totally overlooked prep item and we pride ourselves of being "Iowa winter prepared." I see pair of those spikes being stocking stuffers this year.

[survivalminister]

Originally Posted by rpp

I think it is important to point put that until relatively recently, perhaps the last 150 years, a broken ankle, often resulted in permanent disability and sometimes even death by secondary causes (infection, starvation, exposure, etc.). Only the wealthy and/or lucky recovered, or those who had friends and family who would care for them.

This is a great point that people don't think about today. We are pretty heavily stocked on medical gear and and supplies. The reason is that we've got doctors trained in our family group. The aforementioned trauma surgeon brother has gone all over with Doctors Without Borders--he knows how to do a lot with limited supplies. A broken bone can take someone healthy and give them a permanent disability (if not worse).

[survivalminister]

Originally Posted by TexSurvivalGuy

Sorry for your pain.

Me - - - I'm stupid everyday - - it doesn't take a SHTF situation to bring that out!

But your post brings up a very critical point - - - people will need to know how to either get to medical aid, or how to do it themselves for people in their group, after SHTF.

A very good book is "Where There is no Doctor". Along with first aid books and the sort.

Again - - sorry to hear of your pain.

That is an excellent book. I've given numerous copies out

[rpp]

Originally Posted by TexSurvivalGuy

Sorry for your pain.

Me - - - I'm stupid everyday - - it doesn't take a SHTF situation to bring that out!

But your post brings up a very critical point - - - people will need to know how to either get to medical aid, or how to do it themselves for people in their group, after SHTF.

A very good book is "Where There is no Doctor". Along with first aid books and the sort.

Again - - sorry to hear of your pain.

I have stumbled across that book on Amazon.com several times and have wondered if it was really worthwhile. there is great deal of misinformation masquerading as legitimate medical guides. I was wondering if this was worth it or just some garbage and old wives tales thrown together by some poser.

[TxRanchMedic]

Originally Posted by jingles

You can buy spikes that slip over your shoes for 15$ at walmart.. invest in a pair when your better

I have several. One in my work gear bag in my truck, one in my ghb that is also in my truck, and 2 here at home along with some crampons and a pair of rednecked golf shoes.


Sounds what is needed is a solar/wind powered, remote control feeder for the turkeys.

[TexSurvivalGuy]

Originally Posted by rpp

I have stumbled across that book on Amazon.com several times and have wondered if it was really worthwhile. there is great deal of misinformation masquerading as legitimate medical guides. I was wondering if this was worth it or just some garbage and old wives tales thrown together by some poser.

It is good - - - but as I mentioned "along with first aid books". Those should probably take priority - - and then get this book.

Here is a thread about some good first aid books. The Army manuals are good, in my opinion - - but I have several of the ones listed on this thread:

http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=36649

[technoprepper]

Originally Posted by rpp

I have stumbled across that book on Amazon.com several times and have wondered if it was really worthwhile. there is great deal of misinformation masquerading as legitimate medical guides. I was wondering if this was worth it or just some garbage and old wives tales thrown together by some poser.

It is available as a legal free download:
http://hesperian.org/books-and-resources/
Note there is also a dental version, a women's health one, and some others.

[Dropkick]

In the immortal words of my Dad...

"That'll learn ya."

[NectarNook]

I once walked into the front end of a parked car. Wasn't paying attention at all, too busy talking to my friends instead of paying attention to my surroundings. My lower body slammed to a halt while my upper body pivoted so fast down toward the hood that I didn't even have the time to think about putting my hands up. Bloody nose from a parked car.

No idea what my husband sees in me. I'm about as graceful as a landlocked walrus.

Hope you heal up fast - your ankle and your ego.

[ski.ninja]

I have learned the hard way, via toboggan, ambulance, and x-ray machine, that learning how to jump off a cliff on skis does not mean you start with the 15 footers. Especially if it has a flat landing. At 18, I was lucky I didn't wind up in a back brace. Spinal injuries are never worth it, kids. I still jump off cliffs, it just took me two years of rehab and training to get there.