In the video, you can probably see the green tongue at the lip of the falls that I missed by about a boat width. If I had been about 20 inches left of where I went over, I probably would’ve been fine. As it was, the last bounce before I got to the bottom was the one that I landed hard. I didn’t lean forward, and as a result, stacked my vertebrae one on top of the other and compressed my spine until it broke. I didn’t let on to my group that it was too bad. The choices were, rope me out at the bottom of the falls, or paddle to the takeout. I told my crew that I took a hard lick and would need to use them as probes. If they hit something, I would avoid it. My personal injury assessment was just muscle and bone trauma. No nerve issues. I stayed alert and oriented, and no head trauma so I figured it would be less risk to just run down to the takeout. It was hard and painful. The portage was particularly tough. The hike out was brutal, but the most painful part was the drive to my hospital. I had a reliable crew, and knew that I could count on them if needed.
This sounds like a good decision. Waiting for rescue would take hours! Glad you are OK. Did you need a back brace? Hopefully no surgery. Several friends have been through it.
I’m in a brace now. I am allowed to come and go as I please. Pretty good outcome except no paddling.
I’m recovering at what the doctor called a miraculous rate. He gave me a return to work date of the 15th. Exactly 5 weeks from the date of the accident. I’m 51 years old, and of course you can use my name. Thank you for asking.
I didn’t take any pain meds yesterday for the first full day, and I haven’t needed any today.
