Crash and Burn: Violating My Own Cardinal Rule of Hiking

[Deleted member 67185]

It is my first, most important rule when out hiking.... if on trail or rough terrain, watch the path in front of you. If you want to look at scenery, then stop and look around. The rougher the trail, the more important that becomes. The smoother and flatter the path, the more one can do quick looks around. Either way, save the long looks when you take a pause.

Today on a trail I have done workout hikes a kazillion times, I got complacent. I was on a downhill grade that was about 15 percent. The trail is narrow and edges next to a drop-off on one side. Something caught my attention and I was looking at some scenery and my a foot stepped of the edge slightly.

That was enough to send me face first and headlong down the trail. I was able to land OK, but did split the skin at the eyebrow. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.... right away, that was my first and prolonged thought. I flushed the wound with water and slapped a bandaid on it just to keep the blood from dripping into my eye. I still had about an hours walk to the car.

I got home and looked at the cut, and sure enough, it needed to be closed. I ended up deciding against going to the walk-in clinic. I shaved a bit of the brow away from the cut, flushed it from any potential debris, did a bit of a providine scrub, squirted a bit of triple antibiotic in the wound. I then carefully used an alcohol pad to get any residue off of the skin at the wound.

A couple of dabs of super glue later, the skin edges to the dermis were pinched closed and a bit of tape placed on top.

No big deal... just stupidity and complacency. But dang it all, I know better.

My left eye looks a bit like it went a short round with Rocky Balboa.

 

[Suzanne S.]

Oh, I know that one. The first lesson I learned on the Camino was no multi-tasking. Even looking around and walking is tricky.

Heal well!

 

[C clearly]

Super glue???? Take it easy now for the evening! That lesson about not looking around while I'm on the move is something I regularly need to remind myself of.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

What you have written about is called an accident...something we all take a turn at experiencing at some point as we "walk" through the journey of life. I've had more mishaps over the years than I can count on my fingers.

All said, it sounds like you have doctored yourself up quite nicely and I'm not surprised you were so capable.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Super glue???? Take it easy now for the evening! That lesson about not looking around while I'm on the move is something I regularly need to remind myself of.

Yeah, the super glue trick was learned as a young Dustoff medic when cyanoacrylates were first put on the commercial retail marketplace. A couple of doctors at a field hospital had been talking about the stuff and how they had been experimenting with it for closing superficial wounds that were in between needing stitches and not. He had a few containers of the stuff and gave me one. I stuffed it into my field kit. It wasn't long before I had my dad sending me some super glue... it really came in handy for first aid issues the field.

 

[ianmohammed]

Sounds like you kissed the Camino my friend. I’ve done that while running and kissed the pavement. Beau Camino!

 

[trecile]

Last year, just a few weeks before I left for the Camino, I walked in to a really clean glass wall. I literally bounced off of it onto my a$$. After I stood up and dusted myself off (while feeling quite foolish) my first thought was "whew! I only hurt my face, I can still walk!"

 

[tomnorth]

It is my first, most important rule when out hiking.... if on trail or rough terrain, watch the path in front of you. If you want to look at scenery, then stop and look around. The rougher the trail, the more important that becomes. The smoother and flatter the path, the more one can do quick looks around. Either way, save the long looks when you take a pause.

Today on a trail I have done workout hikes a kazillion times, I got complacent. I was on a downhill grade that was about 15 percent. The trail is narrow and edges next to a drop-off on one side. Something caught my attention and I was looking at some scenery and my a foot stepped of the edge slightly.

That was enough to send me face first and headlong down the trail. I was able to land OK, but did split the skin at the eyebrow. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.... right away, that was my first and prolonged thought. I flushed the wound with water and slapped a bandaid on it just to keep the blood from dripping into my eye. I still had about an hours walk to the car.

I got home and looked at the cut, and sure enough, it needed to be closed. I ended up deciding against going to the walk-in clinic. I shaved a bit of the brow away from the cut, flushed it from any potential debris, did a bit of a providine scrub, squirted a bit of triple antibiotic in the wound. I then carefully used an alcohol pad to get any residue off of the skin at the wound.

A couple of dabs of super glue later, the skin edges to the dermis were pinched closed and a bit of tape placed on top.

No big deal... just stupidity and complacency. But dang it all, I know better.

My left eye looks a bit like it went a short round with Rocky Balboa.

It can happen so darned fast! I'm glad it's nothing too terribly serious to keep you off the trail for long. Heal up well!

 

[t2andreo]

Super glue???? Take it easy now for the evening! That lesson about not looking around while I'm on the move is something I regularly need to remind myself of.

Super Glue is sold in pharmacies under different labeling for use to close wounds that MIGHT potentially need sutures or at least a butterfly closure bandage. I always carry one or two single-use vials in my Camino medical kit. Like single use Super Glue vials, they are tiny. The key thing is that, if you can stem the bleeding for the brief time is takes the glue to bond, IT DOES WORK!

In the last 20 years or so, two emergency trauma medical improvements that have saved lives are quick clotting powders, liquids and bandages / sponges; the other development being the use of Super Glue for closing difficult to close superficial wounds. It there is no internal bleeding, using the adhesive is a wise, field-expedient treatment.

Hope this helps.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Tom, some people know a little about many things, but you know a lot about most things!

 

[Colette Z]

Oh, I know that one. The first lesson I learned on the Camino was no multi-tasking. Even looking around and walking is tricky.

Heal well!

Well put NO MULTI-TASKING. I have really significant osteoporosis for my age but treated still my doc warns against any rough and tumble sports due to the risk of hip fracture.....DUH no way.....I figure I’ll be worse sitting at home. When I walked El Norte in March alone I was so aware not to keep walking while adjusting my pack or poles or digging something out of my waist pack to not trip. Only that way can one avoid serious falls. The path was bad enough at times requiring full concentration like the descent from Cruz del Fiero to Molinescu on El Frances (step by step). That helps keep me IN THE MOMENT.

 

[C clearly]

Super Glue is sold in pharmacies under different labeling for use to close wounds

What happens as the wound heals? Does the Super Glue flake off, peel off, or wear away?

 

[t2andreo]

Life is simple. Simply wake up, show up, pay attention, and FOCUS on the task at hand... The rest is detail.

 

[naplesdon]

Yes, one can learn quickly walking and carrying sticks requires vigilance even if it is something as simple as grabbing your drink bottle for a second. I have learned to stop for and wait for on coming traffic, it only requires a few second which could save your life if you happened to trip on your pole or forced onto the shoulder of the road as you were continuing to walk.

 

[J F Gregory]

I have fallen several times while on the trail. Paying attention to walking is hard in beautiful scenery. If this wasn't so sad it would be funny, actually it was funny. I watched a youngster playing one of those cell phone hunt games she was watch her phone so intensely she walked into a pole head first and stunned herself and fell to the ground. No matter if our feet are moving we need to pay attention.

 

[John Crawford Howell]

I live on an island with a rugged coastline and near the North Cascade Mountains. Lessons, read as tumbles, experienced in youth hiking and climbing prepared me well for the Camino. I paused often to breathe in the air, take stock of my surroundings, look back from whence I came, listen to the birdsong. I was in no hurry because the thought was constantly with me that I may never pass this way again. If Paris is a moveable feast, so too is the Camino. It is with me every day. On May 22, 2017, I was en routefrom Santibanez to Castrillo de Polvazares. Sigh...

 

[Ekelund]

It happens to me every time I do not pay attention to the trail in front of me. I fall over and I hurt myself - usually my knees. They look terrible, all scars and bruises. Now I let myself have breaks where I enjoy the views, standing or sitting (I prefer the last)
I like to walk alone and I do not want to get hurt so I'm not able to continue and it would be so embarrassing having to call Search and Rescue.
Davebugg, take care in the future.

 

[RJM]

The first time I walked the Frances several years ago I left the path whilst in a wooded section so I could take a tinkle. The particular spot I chose to exit the path had a shallow but muddy little slope. I gave it no thought, but the moment I stepped on it I went down like a sack of......
It was like stepping on ice with a full pack on. I hit the ground hard on my right knee and left hand. I remember being stunned momentarily, and I took a moment to assess my situation. I could still move the hand and knee. Full movement, so I figured no breaks, but the swelling came fast. Bad sprains and no ice. I did have aspirin in my pack and took some. Walked to the next water fountain and cleaned up the hand and knee.
It was about two weeks before the sprains healed and I got full use of both limbs. The knee was no problem when I walked, but would want to lock up when I stopped. Beer in the evening helped with what ailed me.
Anyway, had either been a fracture, adios Camino. Trip gone to shat. Walk relaxed, but carefully especially in the dodgy areas of the path. Detour off the muddy sections when possible and when safe.

 

[malingerer]

It is my first, most important rule when out hiking.... if on trail or rough terrain, watch the path in front of you. If you want to look at scenery, then stop and look around. The rougher the trail, the more important that becomes. The smoother and flatter the path, the more one can do quick looks around. Either way, save the long looks when you take a pause.

Today on a trail I have done workout hikes a kazillion times, I got complacent. I was on a downhill grade that was about 15 percent. The trail is narrow and edges next to a drop-off on one side. Something caught my attention and I was looking at some scenery and my a foot stepped of the edge slightly.

That was enough to send me face first and headlong down the trail. I was able to land OK, but did split the skin at the eyebrow. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.... right away, that was my first and prolonged thought. I flushed the wound with water and slapped a bandaid on it just to keep the blood from dripping into my eye. I still had about an hours walk to the car.

I got home and looked at the cut, and sure enough, it needed to be closed. I ended up deciding against going to the walk-in clinic. I shaved a bit of the brow away from the cut, flushed it from any potential debris, did a bit of a providine scrub, squirted a bit of triple antibiotic in the wound. I then carefully used an alcohol pad to get any residue off of the skin at the wound.

A couple of dabs of super glue later, the skin edges to the dermis were pinched closed and a bit of tape placed on top.

No big deal... just stupidity and complacency. But dang it all, I know better.

My left eye looks a bit like it went a short round with Rocky Balboa.

I am very fond of saying I KNOW BETTER when I am lying flat on my face with blood spattering me because I have stood on my own boot laces as I have taken a mighty step forwards on the trail! Ya gotta laff tho, eithr that or curse everything and everybody in sight as u chant the mantra, Buen Camino my sacred ass!

Walk soft and stay soft.

The Malingerer.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

What happens as the wound heals? Does the Super Glue flake off, peel off, or wear away?

Yup, it pretty much goes away on its own. That's why it is best for stuff that doesn't require stitches in multiple layers in deep wounds. But there is surgical adhesive for that now, too.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Super Glue is sold in pharmacies under different labeling for use to close wounds that MIGHT potentially need sutures or at least a butterfly closure bandage. I always carry one or two single-use vials in my Camino medical kit. Like single use Super Glue vials, they are tiny. The key thing is that, if you can stem the bleeding for the brief time is takes the glue to bond, IT DOES WORK!

In the last 20 years or so, two emergency trauma medical improvements that have saved lives are quick clotting powders, liquids and bandages / sponges; the other development being the use of Super Glue for closing difficult to close superficial wounds. It there is no internal bleeding, using the adhesive is a wise, field-expedient treatment.

Hope this helps.

You're my kind of guy, T2.

 

[Suzanne S.]

On May 22, 2017, I was en routefrom Santibanez to Castrillo de Polvazares. Sigh...

I was walking from Padron to Santiago...

 

[t2andreo]

DB: Been there, done that...forever in your debt... you know...

 

[VNwalking]

Ouch, Dave.
I hope all the damage heals quickly!

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Ouch, Dave.
I hope all the damage heals quickly!

It only hurts when I laugh.... able to still function just fine, thankfully. I'm headed back up the hills tomorrow

 

[domigee]

Hope you heal fast. All my best wishes... Take care

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Thanks for everyone's well wishes. I am truly fine, except for feeling stupid . I posted this mainly to share a bit of a personal lesson in the art of trail/walking safety.

 

[OzAnnie]

Thanks for everyone's well wishes. I am truly fine, except for feeling stupid . I posted this mainly to share a bit of a personal lesson in the art of trail/walking safety.

Hi Dave
You might feel fine., but having myself fallen on face and bumped same spot near eyebrow ., I’d say you’re going to have a great black and blue eye and surrounds for a couple of weeks.

Buen Camino
Annie

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Hi Dave
You might feel fine., but having myself fallen on face and bumped same spot near eyebrow ., I’d say you’re going to have a great black and blue eye and surrounds for a couple of weeks.

Buen Camino
Annie

Hi Dave
You might feel fine., but having myself fallen on face and bumped same spot near eyebrow ., I’d say you’re going to have a great black and blue eye and surrounds for a couple of weeks.

Buen Camino
Annie

Hmmmm..... I hadn't thought of that; I don't want a bunch of raccoons adopting me

 

[WalkingJane]

It only hurts when I laugh.... able to still function just fine, thankfully. I'm headed back up the hills tomorrow

Right here at home, a few months ago, after getting off the bus I caught my heel on the curb and landed on hands and knees right in front of that bus. Fortunately the bus had a red light. I managed to get upright and hobble across the street and on home. Knees barely bruised, but oh, my poor ego.....

 

[mariam88]

Day 2, out of Roncesvalles, I walked into a tree branch! It was right across the path at head height. I was so focused on where I was putting my feet I forgot to look ahead

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

It is my first, most important rule when out hiking.... if on trail or rough terrain, watch the path in front of you. If you want to look at scenery, then stop and look around. The rougher the trail, the more important that becomes. The smoother and flatter the path, the more one can do quick looks around. Either way, save the long looks when you take a pause.

Today on a trail I have done workout hikes a kazillion times, I got complacent. I was on a downhill grade that was about 15 percent. The trail is narrow and edges next to a drop-off on one side. Something caught my attention and I was looking at some scenery and my a foot stepped of the edge slightly.

That was enough to send me face first and headlong down the trail. I was able to land OK, but did split the skin at the eyebrow. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.... right away, that was my first and prolonged thought. I flushed the wound with water and slapped a bandaid on it just to keep the blood from dripping into my eye. I still had about an hours walk to the car.

I got home and looked at the cut, and sure enough, it needed to be closed. I ended up deciding against going to the walk-in clinic. I shaved a bit of the brow away from the cut, flushed it from any potential debris, did a bit of a providine scrub, squirted a bit of triple antibiotic in the wound. I then carefully used an alcohol pad to get any residue off of the skin at the wound.

A couple of dabs of super glue later, the skin edges to the dermis were pinched closed and a bit of tape placed on top.

No big deal... just stupidity and complacency. But dang it all, I know better.

My left eye looks a bit like it went a short round with Rocky Balboa.

At least you are home, safe, and ok. Hugs Dave.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

At least you are home, safe, and ok. Hugs Dave.

Thanks, Michelle. How are you doing, now?

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Thanks, Michelle. How are you doing, now?

Wrist and fingers still sore and bruised but exercising both trying to regain flexibility and strength.

Now glad i had my pack on when I fell as it likely saved from spinal injuriy.

 

[t2andreo]

What happens as the wound heals? Does the Super Glue flake off, peel off, or wear away?

YES. Once dry, the excess glue flakes away from abrasion. After a while, like several days (by which time the wound has scabbed over), the surface generally glue peels off or wears away.

The dermal layers absorb the minute excess that actually bonded the torn skin. There is usually no scar. In fact, cosmetic surgeons use a similar technique in place of facial sutures for some procedures.

Hope this helps.

 

[Marbe2]

Everywhere we go ..even to restaurants on the Camino we bring our poles because I find that I need to pay attention to where my poles are being placed. It helps me focus more on where I am stepping. Last year my sister decided to forego them as we visited the Church in Astorga. She got distracted..looking up while climbing up the stairs while gazing at something on the wall. She splattered and hit the floor - Head first! It was a miracle that she only wound up with black eyes, When going up the cement stairs- which are frequently uneven and the lighting is poor, having the poles is insurance for me. Also there are many uneven pavers in the towns and cities, therefore, wherever I go when I leave the accommodation, my poles go with me.

I do not care how long it takes to get to a destination, therefore we always stop when we drink water, or nibble on something, or take a quick photo, or tuck in something, or make a small adjustment! Better to stop and take the time and make it a mindful moment!

 

[Carole Dellinger]

It is my first, most important rule when out hiking.... if on trail or rough terrain, watch the path in front of you. If you want to look at scenery, then stop and look around. The rougher the trail, the more important that becomes. The smoother and flatter the path, the more one can do quick looks around. Either way, save the long looks when you take a pause.

Today on a trail I have done workout hikes a kazillion times, I got complacent. I was on a downhill grade that was about 15 percent. The trail is narrow and edges next to a drop-off on one side. Something caught my attention and I was looking at some scenery and my a foot stepped of the edge slightly.

That was enough to send me face first and headlong down the trail. I was able to land OK, but did split the skin at the eyebrow. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.... right away, that was my first and prolonged thought. I flushed the wound with water and slapped a bandaid on it just to keep the blood from dripping into my eye. I still had about an hours walk to the car.

I got home and looked at the cut, and sure enough, it needed to be closed. I ended up deciding against going to the walk-in clinic. I shaved a bit of the brow away from the cut, flushed it from any potential debris, did a bit of a providine scrub, squirted a bit of triple antibiotic in the wound. I then carefully used an alcohol pad to get any residue off of the skin at the wound.

A couple of dabs of super glue later, the skin edges to the dermis were pinched closed and a bit of tape placed on top.

No big deal... just stupidity and complacency. But dang it all, I know better.

My left eye looks a bit like it went a short round with Rocky Balboa.

I know better,too. Still it happens. And it is comforting to hear from the other replies that I am not the only one who has bitten the dust...and the pavement twice while running early morning. But that's another story. Thanks for the reminder to focus.

 

[Carole Dellinger]

Has anyone worked on learning to fall better?

 

[englishstu]

Yep more falls on bike and skis, try adjust fall to spread along side of body; arm extended landing on palm of hand can give wrist and shoulder injuries.Practice to get into memory bank so safer fall is automatic.

 

[Tina B]

Well put NO MULTI-TASKING. I have really significant osteoporosis for my age but treated still my doc warns against any rough and tumble sports due to the risk of hip fracture.....DUH no way.....I figure I’ll be worse sitting at home. When I walked El Norte in March alone I was so aware not to keep walking while adjusting my pack or poles or digging something out of my waist pack to not trip. Only that way can one avoid serious falls. The path was bad enough at times requiring full concentration like the descent from Cruz del Fiero to Molinescu on El Frances (step by step). That helps keep me IN THE MOMENT.

Arrived home from CF today! When I kissed the Camino just before Granon, I had to have stitches on my brow and broke my nose so I've spent 2 weeks looking like Rocky with a pirate's patch! However, as my osteoporosis is bad, I was actually really so pleased that I hadn't broken my wrist!! Maybe I learnt 'Pride comes before a fall'... I had been so happy not getting blisters.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Arrived home from CF today! When I kissed the Camino just before Granon, I had to have stitches on my brow and broke my nose so I've spent 2 weeks looking like Rocky with a pirate's patch! However, as my osteoporosis is bad, I was actually really so pleased that I hadn't broken my wrist!! Maybe I learnt 'Pride comes before a fall'... I had been so happy not getting blisters.

I am so happy that you were OK.... well, after a fashion. How much of the Frances were you able to walk, Tina?

 

[RJM]

Has anyone worked on learning to fall better?

You can try and fall like a paratrooper. Deliberately let your body crumple or buckle in the direction you are falling. Basically don't fight the impact and place your hands up by your face/head to protect it.
On a backpacking trip years ago on a wooded path with sloping sides I went up one of the sides to avoid a portion of the trail that had flooded. It was all fine until gravity took over and down I went. I distinctly remember adjusting my body so that I hit the ground on my backpack and not my body. It worked. I was very muddy from the fall and had a scraped up knee, but otherwise uninjured. That backpack will absorb a lot of impact if you can roll in that direction.

 

[Paul McAmino]

It doesn’t have to be in natural terrain.
I was fooling with my pack’s waist clasp after an early breakfast in O Pedrouzo (you’d think if you got this far you’d have learned something) and I was still walking. Next thing I knew I was rolling on the pavement with no real injuries except to my pride. There was a sneaky drop off In the sidewalk, and I had stepped in the bucket.

Moral? Don’t eat breakfast. Seriously, though, the more you’re in the zone the more careful you have to be.
Cheers,
Paul

 

[Sunisa]

Sorry to hear about the accident but I am happy that you are ok and nothing worse had happened. Never know if you could have broken something. It seems some angels where looking down on you to help out to avoid worse. Hope you feel better soon

 

[Tina B]

I am so happy that you were OK.... well, after a fashion. How much of the Frances were you able to walk, Tina?

Oh. I walked over 730kms from Pamplona to SdC, taking complementary scenic routes, mts & rivers eg Samos. I loved it. I felt blessed that this injury did not stop me. Although I wasn't too happy about extra Kms from the hospital & the later finish to my day! It didn't stop me at all... My eyepatch helped me get lower bunks too!

 

[MoniRose]

It only takes a moment. Walking under a viaduct outside Leon, one moment I turned my head slightly to look at the graffiti and the next moment was face first on the concrete. Fortunately, I lived to tell about it!

 

[Albertagirl]

I have only fallen once on camino: on the seafront street of Finesterre, where I did not lift my foot high enough to go over the curb. I fell forward hard and lay on the sidewalk for a while getting my breath back. It was a bit of a shock when a woman passed my recumbent body without paying any attention or asking if I was hurt. This fall was a reminder that I must pay more attention when travelling than when at home. I am used to cement curbs at home, all the same height except at intersections. Curbs in Spain may well consist of mosaic tiles, some missing, with the height from the street to the sidewalk being quite variable. I was not hurt and considered this an important reminder, cheaply learned.