Know Yourself

It was one of those perfect early summer days when the sky is crystal blue, not a cloud in sight, no humidity, no mosquitoes buzzing, a cool breeze to keep the sun from heating up.

I was on the tennis court at Izatys Lodge on the south shore of Lake Mille Lacs with two of the owners’ sons, Rob and Steve, practicing our high lobs. Rob hit a perfect shot that bounced on the edge of the back court line ricocheting on a pebble that sent the ball spinning erratically. Determined to prove my mastery at the game, I back pedaled as fast as I could then turned quickly to display a fancy backhand return.

Unfortunately, I misjudged the distance to the green colored metal fence which surrounded the court and crashed into it at full speed. Dazed, I fell over in a heap, blood oozing from a deep cut over my right eye.?

The Dubbs boys rushed to my side immediately, debating whether or not to call an ambulance. After recovering my senses, I convinced them that I didn’t need an ambulance but agreed that my wife could drive me to the emergency room at the hospital just to make sure the cut wouldn’t get infected.?

They half carried me over to the resort swimming pool where my wife was lounging with some friends. She jumped up at the sight of the blood on my shirt. Concerned, she rushed to my side to find out what happened. She squeezed my hand but when she looked under the handkerchief I had pressed to the cut and saw the blood, she fainted.?

Now the Dubbs boys really had their hands full. I’m holding on to my wife and they’re still trying to keep me from falling. Before I go any further, let me say that everything turns out fine. One of our good friends drove me and my wife to the hospital where the doctor on call stitched up the cut and gave me a shot for the infection.?

Later, we tried to analyze what went wrong. Yes, jumping up so quickly in the hot sun and running over to me could have been a cause for her fainting spell. Or possibly the worry about the depth of the wound and the sight of blood. Ultimately we concluded what many people have come to realize. When the person who is injured is one of your loved ones, someone who can usually handle an emergency, may become helpless in this type of situation.?

I share this story in all of our First Aid courses. Know yourself. If you know your strengths and weaknesses, you will be better prepared for any emergency.

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