PPCC List - My demonstration of how not to avoid falling, and what to do if you do fall (PPCC meeting)

[Michael Piper]

Hi folks,

The short discussion is I'm fine, and I appreciate all those who tried to
help.  I have 3 scrapes that are so shallow they did not bleed so they may
heal slowly.  The screen on my Fitbit watch did not fare so well, but I can
get a peopacement.

What not to do:  Fail to pay attention to where you are stepping and don't
just look at your feet but look ahead.  Also don't fiddle around with your
car keys and club name badge while randomly walking across a parking lot..

What to do is a bit more complex but worth sharing with others.  This is
based on my proven ability to fall unexpectedly and the strength and
balance class I just went through;


   - First, protect your head, which I was able to do.
   - Second, don't reach out with your hands to try to protect yourself.
   The physical therapist says reaching out leads to many hand, wrist, arm,
   elbow and shoulder injuries.  I actaully tucked my arms into my chest to
   protect my ribs.  My fitbit suffered and I have a tiny road rash on my
   elbow but so what. The physical therapist suggested some version of tucking
   your arms in or rolling to use your shoulder.  Protect your face with your
   hands.
   - Try to pick and plan where/how you will land.  That seems odd but I
   had time to figure out where it would be safe to land.  Playing rough
   tumble football, organized football, skiing poorly and falling off of
   bicycles has given me experience doing this.  It also helps to relax when
   you land to absorb the shock better.
   - I apologize for seeming rude, but unless there is some other immediate
   hazard like a vehicle or fire, it is actually helpful to give the fallen
   person a moment to assess their situation and collect their thoughts,
   perhaps let them get up on their own to see if there are other injuries
   that are not immediately apparent.  Pulling on a person's arms might cause
   other problems (Hurricane Katrina experience unfortunately).  It is also
   best to avoid moving someone right away if they might have a head or spine
   injury.
   - I don't know about PPCC members but I think I kind of freaked out the
   guy in the drive through lane.  He wasn't moving yet but I'm sure that
   wasn't on his to-do list this morning.

Anyway, I'm fine, minimally embarrassed and hopefully all this rambling
might be helpful to others, at least in a don't do what I just did sense.

Regards,

Mike
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