Posted by Bruce on Sunday, September 03, 2006 at 11:42PM :
Ok the short version is today I talked a guy into saving his life. The toughest part was so simple it needs to be hammered home. A few encouraging words , a take charge attitude and being willing to be embarrassed was all that it took.
I had a para glider stuck up a 40 - 50 feet in a tree . No branches . He is not thinking straight - he tossed down his helmet and harness to the ground . After sort of hugging sliding down 6 - 8 ft of this rough hemlock the guy was losing it. At one point he was hanging by only his arms with his legs hanging down.
One of the guys watching looked at me and says " Good thing you are with Search and rescue cause we are going to need the medivac in here . I had the cell phone out and said that I was allready on it and had the site picked out for the copter but the fall would most likely kill him "
Anyways my friend told the glider guy to put his legs around the tree and heck if the guy didso . but it was darn wimpy. At this point I opened my big friggin mouth and started talking him down. i told him that he could do it , that he was strong and that if he thought that he could not do it, to bloody well dig deeper and he would find the strength to do so. i also said that he was going to make love to the friggin tree and that it did not matter how scratched he was or how much skin he lost he was not going to let go.
I said lots of stuff.
Mostly "you are doing it"
He got down,
Anyways he came and thanked me later and to be honest I had not given it much thought.
" I would not have made it if it was not for you , thankyou "
( I disagree on that point and think it was a group effort )
Anyways - It is quite amazing what some encouraging words can do.
Please if you are ever in the position to help someone by opening your mouth . Do so .
I almost did not do so today. Several people have thanked me today - I feel a bit like a fraud but am pleased with myself too.
Bruce
I am still learning .
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