Slicing and Dicing - My Full Jerry Moment

Oh the highs and lows of this experience are unparalleled. From having a great few days skiing, having an interview and accepting the job, to injuring myself in what is questionably  a "Jerry of the day" moment. For those that are unfamiliar with this term,  "being a Jerry", it equates to doing something pretty stupid whilst skiing/ snowboarding, and I went "Full Jerry", but I'll explain later.

 

Cloud formation over Sunshine Village resort - I'm trying to work out where I am as per usual

In the mean time, I'll describe a few of my goings on. So the weekly Hostel bar crawl was another success, and the hangover cures in town are arguably the biggest I've ever seen. The Canadian's are showing me they are incredibly American in many subtle ways, but what isn't subtle is their breakfast options. To which there are many, including chicken on waffles. Yes that's what I said.. Fried chicken on a waffle. Mind (and waist line) blown. But I stuck to what I've come to rely on as a Bruncheon fav, Eggs Royale (smoked salmon) with Avocado... #SorryNotSorry and yes, you can take the posh boy out of England but... well you know the rest.

Hangiver cure

So how I went Full Jerry?

So it all started on a crisp autumnal Tuesday morning. Dan and I decided to go "shred some pow", yep, that's the equivalent of a normal person going skiing. I was already feeling slightly rough possibly from something we ate the day before, absolutely nothing to do with alcohol but I can't confirm that. We had a few lovely runs and we couldn't believe our luck with how lovely a day it was yet there were hardly anyone on the slopes. Blue sky and not too much wind. Getting onto the snow and a few runs down. I was gaining my confidence, starting to push the turns tighter, messing about hopping over berms and wee jumps. Everything seems to be going great. Stopping off for a water break and I dropped my bag so I could see what it feels like for once not taking it.. this could be where I went wrong. ME LUCKY BAG!!!

But yeah, we met up with friends from the hostel. JB and Nadine, who would come to be those on either side of me on the next chair lift..oh the fateful Wa-Wa chairlift.

So it all happened in about 5 seconds, but as we were coming off it was a bit of a jostle and I remember everyone converging onto a path in front of me. JB wasn't pushing left and Nadine was skiing into my path. I stating saying push left, push left, as I felt Nadine leaning more into me but as my left ski was up against JB's board I had no where to go. Losing my balance, I did the honourable thing and fell on my sword (ski). At first I got up and jokingly mentioned my annoyance at JB, wasn't his fault, for slicing my salopettes. Then when I opened the tear in the trousers, a load of red came out. My first thought was... heh, well I can't feel anything so it's probably not too bad. Well... I was wrong. A little anyway. 

Having pulled up my right leg, the blood started to dribble down somewhat. What happened next is something I've reflected on quite a bit. My reaction and what followed suite. I took control. Whilst being in good spirits, I told people what to do around me. "Someone go get a first aid kit". "You, apply pressure here". "I need to raise my leg". Yes I have had first aid training both since I was a lifeguard as well as being a reservist.. but you always wonder how you might react in situations like this. Posing for photos and making jokes until first responders came. When they arrived. I assisted them by applying the dressings and tying the bandages. Asking if they'd brought me my flat white coffee on their way up. Below are a few images, some you might want to look away, but I'll explain as I go along.

A crate was brought down from the lifty hut and Nadine can be seen applying pressure on the wound. It was only a few minutes before the responders turned up.

Hopping into the Bloodwagon (sledge of shame) I had a great time being ski'd down. These guys are decent skiiers and I have to remember to go get them and the medical team a crate of something.

The short but sweet ride down was actually pretty awesome. The dudes that took me deserve a medal. On entry to the medical centre, thankfully at the bottom of the run, I was met by a very professional crew. I was chatting away and assisted where I could. 

As you can see, it's not a small cut but luckily having recently tuned the skis it's super neat. Literally like a knife through a steak, but I'm the steak. 

I should also probably mention, the chap holding my leg is JB. He also comically fainted flat out and had to be looked after when he watched the doctor inject my cut. Granted that was actually the one bit that was teeth clenchingly painful. 

FYI Dr Butler, who stitched me up, is actually a full time airline pilot who fly's 767s for a day job. Amazingly he's also a fully qualified doctor and on his days off from flying he's on call up the mountain. Legend!

So enough of the gory stuff. What else have I been up to? Well clearly it's one non stop party. Hitting up the hot springs in Banff. Yep, naturally occurring and just the place to go when you can't get your leg wet.. Fun times.

 Hot springs!!

So the saga continues and it's 10 days until I can take my stitches out, to which I'm on antibiotics so no booze and hardly any movement. Whoop, great season. Oh and whilst I have accepted a job up on the mountain, it was offered to me because the other guy had hurt his leg. Yep, so it was a tricky one explaining to my new boss that I might need to delay my start date by a week because I too had hurt my leg! What a plonker. Only I could do something like this.