Most of us think we are careful. We plan, prepare, and try not to take unnecessary risks while in the wilderness. We think that will prevent accidents. 99% of the time, we are right. That 1% of the time doesn't enter our minds. Well, that changed for me on my recently completed trip.

At the bottom of the cliffs on the south side of Winchell, I was stepping from a moss covered rock to another rock a little higher than the one I was on. It was one easy step away, something I've done 1000's of time. I have no memory of what happened next, but my 17 yo son thankfully was only several steps behind me and saw it all. I slipped, fell, and lurched forward. I crashed into the side of the rock ahead of me, my head hitting the rocks about waist height, and crumpled to the ground. I came to as he reached me (2-3 seconds?) and reached into my pocket to try to answer the phone that I thought was ringing. There was no phone. In that 2-3 seconds I had imagined a phone call as well as my wife's voice telling me I had missed a call. I then realized my head hurt, and those were the first words out of my mouth. I was dazed and slightly bleeding from my cheek, ear, and arm all as a result of the rest of the fall after my body went limp from hitting the rock with my left eye area.

All in all, I was lucky. I did not have a concussion. My memory from just before that accident, as well as right after the accident was still fully intact. Other than some initial dizziness and a headache for a couple days, I was able to continue my trip as planned. I did end up with one hell of a black eye. It could have been much, much worse, and even with help from my son, it would have been a chore to get back to our site which at that time was about 4.5 miles of paddling and a portage away. If I had fallen harder, or on a more jagged rock and cracked my skull, our small first aid kit (which was with us) would not have done much. It will be a learning experience to draw from for years to come, but really was nothing more than what it was- a freak accident doing something I'm likely to continue doing.

Please, be careful out there at all times and don't take for granted how quickly a seemingly safe activity can turn into a potentially bad situation.

Two thoughts:
-->That 1% comes out of nowhere, doesn't it? No means to foresee such a mishap.

-->You are tough as nails. Took a beating and kept on trekking.

Curious if you visited your doctor when you got home? I would think any head injury such as yours might warrant a look-see.

Yikes. Glad you are okay.

Glad you are ok. On a silly note, did anyone think you looked like a pirate in your canoe?

Thanks for posting this. I think we all need the reminder every now and then. Glad you're doing ok.

Any second,when you least expect it.

Two weeks ago,I did the last 50 miles of RAGBRAI. I was proud of myself as I have a bad leg. I finished the ride and was peddling down the bike path to catch a boat ride across the river to pick up my truck.

We were approaching a intersection and I started to turn right. Some clown didn't feel like slowing down and tried to pass in the dirt on the right and hit my handlebars and takes me out.

I remember hitting my head on the ground really hard... MY HELMET SAVED ME. Ended up with two broken ribs. I was 300 feet from the end.

Mocha: "curious if you visited your doctor when you got home? i would think any head injury such as yours might warrent a look-see. "

Since I wasn’t/still am not having any issues related to this other than tenderness at the main injury site, no, I didn’t. Not saying that’s the right choice, but if I did anything further, like slightly crack my orbital bone, there is nothing else a doctor will do other than recommend ice, ibuprofen, and avoidance of contact to the area (we have had this issue in the household due to sports injuries twice before).

pswith5: "glad you are ok. On a silly note; did anyone think you looked like a pirate in your canoe?"

Sort of, my son kept telling me to find a purple marker so I could add color to the good eye and look like a girl doing her makeup for the first time.

I have to say it sounds like you might well have experienced a concussion. Loss of consciousness, headache, ringing in the ears, dizziness- all symptoms of concussion.

It is amazing how quickly a slip can turn into something more serious. And hitting our heads on a rock can be anywhere from mild to deadly. Glad you are ok. However, I second the thought that you may have had a concussion. Mentioning it to your doctor might be worthwhile, if only to keep track of it for the future.

naturboy12: "

Mocha: "curious if you visited your doctor when you got home? i would think any head injury such as yours might warrent a look-see. "

Since I wasn’t/still am not having any issues related to this other than tenderness at the main injury site, no, I didn’t. Not saying that’s the right choice, but if I did anything further, like slightly crack my orbital bone, there is nothing else a doctor will do other than recommend ice, ibuprofen, and avoidance of contact to the area (we have had this issue in the household due to sports injuries twice before). "

Well, it surprised me that you haven't had some level of medical attention. umm....how about doctor ruling out a blood clot or something to that effect. The body responds differently as we age.

@ yogi59weedr: "clown" is too kind a word.

Go see your doctor.

Oof. Where were you staying? We were on Brule from Wednesday the 8th through Sunday the 12th, and were up at Winchell fishing on Friday the 10th.

Banksiana: "I have to say it sounds like you might well have experienced a concussion. Loss of consciousness, headache, ringing in the ears, dizziness- all symptoms of concussion."

I was thinking the same thing! Since you said you've had expreience with this before with the kids, I was curious what made you dismiss a concussion? My son was diagnosed with one just last week with those same symptoms you had. Not that it matters at this point, since you;re doing fine (glad to hear). Just curious.

Glad your ok, stuff can happen fast.

Frightening.
I'm glad you are OK.
The risk we take is part of the thrill of the trip.
But when the risk comes to pass, the thrill is gone.

I was in a car accident 4 1/2 years ago, only a small bump on the head. My memory of right before and after was fine, I did not black out and the medics on the scene thought I was OK. Concussion symptoms started nearly a week later and persist to this day. My life has changed immeasurably.

I've had several concussions. Perhaps it's too late, but it might be a good idea to be checked out.

Mike

newguy: "Oof. Where were you staying? We were on Brule from Wednesday the 8th through Sunday the 12th, and were up at Winchell fishing on Friday the 10th. "

We were on the western end of Gaskin until the morning of Aug 8th and then moved to Meeds for a few more days after that. The fall happened in the morning on Tuesday Aug 7th.

Seems like your 1% has happened to at least 2% so the rest of us should be ok. Haha. Thanks for taking one for the team. Haha.
Yes, yes... If this happens a quick doctor visit on your return never hurts... Well, until you get the bill. Haha. But seriously it could have long term effects.

You are all some persistent people, but if I didn't value your advice, the next paragraph wouldn't be happening.

I have a Dr checkup scheduled for tomorrow. They are most concerned about the length of time from my last tetanus shot and will likely be giving me a booster since I had cuts/scrapes exposed to the dirt of the outdoors for a few days. As I'm past the "acute" phase for concussions, they aren't concerned about that unless of course I would start having symptoms. They will also be checking out my orbital bone to make sure I have no fractures.

I had an incident where I was slipping and was trying to regain my balance on a slick rock surface that was at a good 45 degree incline. As I was getting closer and closer towards the water , with my arms and legs flailing away...I realized that there were some very large rocks with sharp corners awaiting me and most likely cause injury. I managed to get myself ( at the last possible moment) to a position that I could leap out beyond the edge of the rockline/shoreline and upon doing so, I managed a half passed cannonball. My kids who were 20 feet away but just out of eyesight, didn't understand why I felt the need to jump in the lake when it was raining.

I got real lucky on that one!

It can happen anywhere.
Friend tripped over a curb in a parking lot and ending shattering a bunch of bones in her ankle.
Another fell off a bike a couple years ago and wiped out her ankle. She is now spending the summer recovering from artificial ankle surgery (didn't know they did that)

I saw a lady hobbling up to the post office. Fell off the riding lawn mower and really did a number to her hip.

I was jumping off my tractor in a back field into a old plow furrow that was grassed over and sprained the hell out of my ankle a few years ago.... hard to walk in a dairy barn with the bucket and black bag when a guy can hardly walk

in the bwca...seems like getting stuff in/out of canoe when water levels are low is when it is a great time to do a number of yourself.

dr bob

All of this advice to go see a doctor is well intended. I played Junior hockey in the USHL after high school, then played 4 years of College hockey out east. I have been diagnosed with 3 confirmed concussions, and plenty more that weren't (puking on the bench, then going out for the next shift feeling like the rink was tilted). If you have had a concussion in the past, what can a doctor really do? Serious question.

There are specific instructions for care that a doctor or trained medical professional will issue to prevent further damage and ensure a healthy recovery. It's worth the visit and follow-up.