Be Careful Out There!

[wyflyguy]

I've seen this story a couple of times in the past day or two and thought I'd pass it along. It's a good reminder that things sometimes go sideways in the backcountry and to stay vigilant. This could very well have turned out much differently!

Hiker Impales Himself with Trekking Pole

Summary:
A man was 10 miles deep on a hiking trip, slipped on some rocks and impaled himself with his trekking pole. He then hiked the 10 miles back out with the pole still stuck in his torso to get medical attention.

• Sounds like he was hiking with friends who had a Garmin InReach so they were able to be in contact with Search and Rescue and monitor his condition throughout the hike out
• His medical training certainly helped in this case as he was able to assess the seriousness of the situation and act accordingly

Be safe out there, guys!

 

[brymoore]

Ouch

 

[Bowhuntrben]

So...do you say "How's it going?" when you see this guy hiking out while you're hiking in? Or do you just ask if he's seen any elk/deer?

 

[elkduds]

My poles have baskets a few inches above the tips.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

My poles have baskets a few inches above the tips.

Mine have heavy rubber cane style tips so kind of surprised by this possibility.

 

[Mallardsx2]

That rage expandable must have broken a blade on entry again.

 

[duckhunt]

I carry my zoleo at all times hunting and hiking.

 

[cedahm]

Mine have heavy rubber cane style tips so kind of surprised by this possibility.

There are 3-4 of them in the water bottle pocket of my pack at any given time since I have had the poles slip off rocks, ice, deadfall, frozen dirt, etc so often I almost always never use them.

but I might take the 3 seconds to put them on on gentle dirt trails more often after seeing that picture.

 

[Rack Daniels]

There are 3-4 of them in the water bottle pocket of my pack at any given time since I have had the poles slip off rocks, ice, deadfall, frozen dirt, etc so often I almost always never use them.

but I might take the 3 seconds to put them on on gentle dirt trails more often after seeing that picture.

I don’t reckon he slipped and took the pole through the torso on a gentle dirt trail….

 

[noharleyyet]

Somewhat related (no body shaming intended)

https://twitter.com/x/status/2080407750643794253

 

[406dn]

While we are on the safety subject. Many years ago now, a hunter was dressing an elk, iirc, west of Cody by YNP. He cut his femoral artery and bled to death.

Earlier this summer, I was visiting with a retired outfitter at a horse auction. Some how this incident came up. His connection to it is that he was the person who packed his body out of the back country.

We are all often far from help, by time and miles. As my employer often pointed out, safety is no accident.

 

[Bluffgruff]

That pole looks extra-thoracic, probably could have pulled it and duct taped a gauze over the holes and hiked out.

 

[brymoore]

While we are on the safety subject. Many years ago now, a hunter was dressing an elk, iirc, west of Cody by YNP. He cut is femoral artery and bled to death.

Earlier this summer, I was visiting with a retired outfitter at a horse auction. Some how this incident came up. His connection to it is that he was the person who packed his body out of the back country.

We are all often far from help, by time and miles. As my employer often pointed out, safety is no accident.

We had a local guy where I grew up slip cleaning a squirrel and catch his femoral artery. He was found in his truck at the scene. He passed before he could start the truck.

I wear logging chaps now after a minor scrape with a chainsaw tore a large hole in my Levi’s and I got a few stitches.

 

[Straight Arrow]

probably could have pulled it and duct taped a gauze over the holes and hiked out.

Wrong. As a nurse with medical emergency training and experience, he knew it was a bad idea to remove the pole without the proper equipment, sterilization fluids, and professional care. He DID HIKE OUT.

 

[TheDudeAbides]

That pole looks extra-thoracic, probably could have pulled it and duct taped a gauze over the holes and hiked out.

Steve Irwin thought the same thing with a sting ray.

With impaled objects it is probably always better to stabilize in place and let the doctors try to pull it out without killing you.