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I had an accident today and I wanted to share it with all of you as a reminder of the dangers that are involved in the sport that we pursue.
This morning I went out to move my tree stand and climbing sticks and did so successfully. Picked a nice tree and got everything cinched up and safely anchored. I'm not a pro but I did a good job...so I know that everything was tight, etc.
I returned a few hours later to hunt that stand. It was a routine hunt until I started to climb my ladder stand. I had my harness on, but of course was not tied onto anything as I went up the steps. When my feet hit 6 feet in the air, the mud on my rubber boots caused me to slip off of the steps. I have no idea what happened, all I know is that it happened quickly. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me since I have climbed that ladder many, many times this season and for a few weeks last season.
Whatever happened, I was unable to grab onto anything and fell on my back directly below the stand. I could not breathe and was choking. I found my phone in my pocket and dialed my father several times. We were doing the 'missed call' and 'busy' thing and I realized that I could not stay in the position that I was in and gradually picked myself up and stood leaning on the tree. I could breathe and reached my dad and explained to him what happened that I was ok, but freaking out and not sure of my injuries.
Dad met me at the edge of the woods and I walked out on my own power and drove my truck around the block. After dinner we went to the emergency room and after a full set of back x-rays, the doctor determined that I did not break any ribs, although there's a ton of bruising, especially to one kidney (my piss is fine), but other than that, just my back is out of alignment and some evidence of muscle spasms. Everything is swollen up and bruising and its difficult to get around, but it's mostly just stiffness and pain. On some pain killers and muscle relaxers now and I'll be chiropractor bound in a few days.
I want to stress to you and admit that I made a mistake. My boots were muddy and slippery from the field walking in and I did not make take enough time to consciously climb my ladder safely. I had poor judgement. Though accidents happen, I made a mistake and it could have been a lot worse. I am very thankful for a Creator that looked over his son today and for my mother who prays for my daily. I messed up and am learning a lesson the hard way. Please take the time to climb your ladders safely, no matter how many times you have done it. If you had told me this morning that I was going to have a fall today, I would have thought that it would have been when I was hanging the sticks and stands, not a routine hunt.
I'm not much worse for the wear, other than a hurting and sore back, and thankful that things were not worse...I gave my parents a heck of a scare today and in those moments when I was on the ground, I was very afraid. But I know who was watching me and I know that He holds my life - and hopefully that will mean lots of safe and cautious hunting in the weeks and years to come.
Again, please be safe - you don't want to learn this lesson my way!
This morning I went out to move my tree stand and climbing sticks and did so successfully. Picked a nice tree and got everything cinched up and safely anchored. I'm not a pro but I did a good job...so I know that everything was tight, etc.
I returned a few hours later to hunt that stand. It was a routine hunt until I started to climb my ladder stand. I had my harness on, but of course was not tied onto anything as I went up the steps. When my feet hit 6 feet in the air, the mud on my rubber boots caused me to slip off of the steps. I have no idea what happened, all I know is that it happened quickly. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me since I have climbed that ladder many, many times this season and for a few weeks last season.
Whatever happened, I was unable to grab onto anything and fell on my back directly below the stand. I could not breathe and was choking. I found my phone in my pocket and dialed my father several times. We were doing the 'missed call' and 'busy' thing and I realized that I could not stay in the position that I was in and gradually picked myself up and stood leaning on the tree. I could breathe and reached my dad and explained to him what happened that I was ok, but freaking out and not sure of my injuries.
Dad met me at the edge of the woods and I walked out on my own power and drove my truck around the block. After dinner we went to the emergency room and after a full set of back x-rays, the doctor determined that I did not break any ribs, although there's a ton of bruising, especially to one kidney (my piss is fine), but other than that, just my back is out of alignment and some evidence of muscle spasms. Everything is swollen up and bruising and its difficult to get around, but it's mostly just stiffness and pain. On some pain killers and muscle relaxers now and I'll be chiropractor bound in a few days.
I want to stress to you and admit that I made a mistake. My boots were muddy and slippery from the field walking in and I did not make take enough time to consciously climb my ladder safely. I had poor judgement. Though accidents happen, I made a mistake and it could have been a lot worse. I am very thankful for a Creator that looked over his son today and for my mother who prays for my daily. I messed up and am learning a lesson the hard way. Please take the time to climb your ladders safely, no matter how many times you have done it. If you had told me this morning that I was going to have a fall today, I would have thought that it would have been when I was hanging the sticks and stands, not a routine hunt.
I'm not much worse for the wear, other than a hurting and sore back, and thankful that things were not worse...I gave my parents a heck of a scare today and in those moments when I was on the ground, I was very afraid. But I know who was watching me and I know that He holds my life - and hopefully that will mean lots of safe and cautious hunting in the weeks and years to come.
Again, please be safe - you don't want to learn this lesson my way!