pct-l Digest, Vol 30, Issue 9 RE: [pct-l] Superer Secrets - Hiking Poles accident

[mendonsa at pacbell.net (George Mendonsa)]

1. How to hold straps on hiking poles - keep your hands so they can slip easily out of the straps!!!.

 I dislocated my right shoulder because I had my hands all the way thru the straps and griping the pole handles.

This happened a few years ago North of Castle Crags State Park going North on the PCT just before Kangaroo lake cut off in Northern California. 

I was in lead with my buddy. About 100 yards or so prior to the "accident" spot, I noticed I was getting too close  to the left trail edge .The trail had a tendency to slope down and to the left side and at the edge fall off with a steep slope in places.. So I told myself to keep to the right side of the trail and if I started to fall to dig in  with my right arm. (once I get into a fall that I can't stop, however, I relax and try to guide the fall so I land on my back. This has happened a couple of times in the past and I ended up on my back in bushes with no damage). 

At the point of the accident I suddenly found myself falling off the left edge of the trail. The trail was now about 4 feet or so wide, perfectly flat and clear, with a slight slope at the left edge that also had small bushes and grass. I had relaxed as usual and was partialy on my back left side. But my right arm was sticking out, slghtly toward my back right side with my right hand still thru the pole strap.  The  strap was still attached to the pole which was caught in some bushes!   My shoulder was dislocated and hurting!  ***I blame the dislocation on the extra leverage of the pole in my right hand as I fell!!!
 
My buddy went for help after getting my arm in a comfortable position with my bandana . After waiting for awhile, I walked to Kangoroo lake with help from a passing family who were hiking back to the lake where I was taken to the hospital. In addtion to the dislocation I had some internal damage to supoorting structures to the shoulder joint. 

I am fine now and continue to hike the PCT.

Since then I always slip my hand into the strap ONLY UP TO THE PALM and grip the strap and pole together with each hand...My intent is if I am truly going to fall is to get the poles out of the way!