Lesson of the Twisted Ankle

We often think our own way is better than the right way. I've written more than once about walking safety, about checklists and gear, and about the great respect you must always have for mountains. But on a certain evening recently, with an hour or two free, I broke my own rules. I started a walk on a well-known path without hiking boots, without walking poles or a first-aid kit. All I had were worn running shoes and too much self-confidence.

It didn't go well, and I soon learned the lesson.

Falling Slowly

In certain places, the path is steep and covered with fine gravel. It's a multi-use trail, and mountain bikes often scatter the gravel across it, making conditions even worse for walkers. As I was descending a steep part of the path, my right foot slipped unexpectedly to the left, my body fell to the right, and my ankle turned inward and stretched badly under the load.

The fall was like a slow-motion movement, like a tree being felled.

For a second, I was sure I had broken bones. I kept control, and stayed on the ground for a while, breathing slowly and deeply, scanning for blood or anything out of place. I then stood up, and my ankle was very painful, but I was able to walk with a limp and slowly. I began the long walk back to my car.

Temporary First Aid

Back home, I bandaged the ankle, took ibuprofen, and propped my foot up on a pillow. By morning, the situation had worsened. My right foot was badly swollen. Purple bruising appeared on the inside of my foot. Painful blisters appeared on the ankle. I cleaned them and put medical dressing on them.

so he can examine my foot and advise me about it.

Nuair a bhí mé i mo shuí le mo chos ar leac oighir agus mé ag smaoineamh faoi cad a tharla, thuig mé gan mhoill: d’fhéadfaí é seo a sheachaint. Sa deireadh, is ormsa atá an locht.

The Three Essentials I Omitted

I was injured because I didn't have three essentials:

• Hiking boots — without them, I had no chance. It is crucial to wear hiking boots when you're on the trail.
• Hiking poles — without them, I didn't always have good balance. Two extra points of contact are the difference between a firm stance and a sprained ankle.
• First-aid kit — without it, I had no relief in case of an accident. It is useful, not only for serious injuries, but for bee stings or sunburn as well.

Why did I omit the essentials? It happened because of impulsiveness.

People become careless with experience. I knew the path, I had walked it often, and that put me at ease. But I quickly paid for that assumption.

The Broader Lesson

A study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine says that almost 40% of walking injuries are related to ankles. The National Park Service also reports that footwear is a factor in more than 60% of these cases.

Every experienced walker, including myself, has heard this advice already. But it needs to be applied every single time, without exception.

As I found out, the time you forget the advice is the time you'll be in trouble.

Moving Forward

The ankle will heal. I will lose a couple of weeks on the trails. But I have learned a lesson. From now on:

1. I will be using boots and walking poles, and a first-aid kit every time on the path.
2. The mountain will still be there tomorrow; there's no prize for going out unprepared today.

I hope I have learned the lesson well. Otherwise, the next time could be not only worse, but fateful.

Mistreatment of a Long-Term US resident by immigration officials!