(Long form) What it's like to break your leg skiing and be saved by ski patrol

On Jan 15th 2023 I went off punk rock (under snake lift) at Brighton Resort, Utah. It was a great powder day and thought sending a drop over my skill level would be fine because the powder would save me. Drop was way bigger than I expected and I panicked, causing me to tuck and turn. My left ski tip landed at a forward angle that was steep enough to stop me from riding it out. My binding didn't release and the boot snapped my tibia and fibula as I fell forwards. I felt the pain probably 1/2 a second later and watched my leg flop in a way that I knew it was broken. Luckily it was under a ski lift and ski patrol came quickly.
As I rode in the sled, my weight slid me to the bottom to where every bump compressed the fracture making it quite painful.
There are 2 parts to the ski patrol facility. One is ski patrol and the other is a clinic. Any work done by ski patrol is free, but to be admitted to the clinic to get medication and X-rays costs money and is billed to insurance. Because I didn't want to risk a hefty bill if my insurance didn't cover it, I chose to not be admitted to the clinic. No X-ray or pain meds at this time.
I found, after I was sitting inside, that if I pulled away from my foot, stretching the fracture into traction, I had a large amount of relief. Because I assumed the hospital would cut my boot off, I asked ski patrol to take it off for me (can't waste a good pair of boots). I had probably 6 of them peel the boot off of me. Was probably the 2nd most painful experience of my life (1st comes later). I could tell they did a great job despite the pain. Then they wrapped me up in a cardboard splint.
My wife came up from Provo and drove me to the hospital (because I didn't want to pay for an ambulance haha). Getting down the canyon was slow due to avalanche control. The break occurred around 11AM and I didn't get to the hospital in Provo until about 5PM.
When in the ER, I was give Fentanyl by IV while they took the X-rays. I was happy that I wouldn't have any more pain. Wrong, I felt everything and it was more painful than when ski patrol took my boot off with no meds. My wife was embarrassed as I was screaming. She kept saying "shhh... This was because at this point she didn't believe it was broken (she says I have a low a low pain tolerance).
The next morning I had an Intramedullary nail surgically put in my Tibia with no cast. There are 2 main methods of insertion for this type of surgery. One above the knee cap and one below. They did above on me. They had me do toe touches that same day.
In April of that same year (2 months later) I was able to get back on skis. I could only do the bunny hill and it was quite painful.
1 year and a few months and I am 98% recovered. I can do everything I want (skiing, mountain biking), but I just don't quite have all the strength back in my quad muscles.

[@feraynironmane8101]

"I'm going to jump this and get wrecked." Well, he called it alright.

[@mqtaidmqtaid]

Aaaand we love people who are self-aware 😂😂

[@JokinIsCool]

real

[@Faceless4548]

I was just about to say that

[@MeredithNash-Martin]

as someone who is also recovering from a broken leg. I said “you better be careful or you’re gonna break your a*s”… slipped on the very next step. Just, don’t say anything at all… lol

[@Daniel10663]

Bro hit that hill at 2mph

[@beachbelle]

i felt extra bad because you seemed to be having so much fun with your little “woo’s” and “yeahs!”

[@AC-li2pj]

Fr tho

[@ReVoltaire]

It's almost like the intro scene of a stock horror film. Each "woo" and "yeah" presages what's to follow

[@hdzziin]

bro was taunting like he was in a videogame

[@EEEEE3EEEEE]

Dude i love the woos and yeahs so fun

[@mychemicaltea]

he was havin a blast !!

[@robinronin]

I’m so glad the internet exists, now I can experience what it’s like to break my legs while skiing without having to feel the pain or learning to ski.

[@FoodLoverFabi]

While laying on my couch in summer

[@honesteagle98]

Skiing conservatively is fun, it’s easy, even black diamonds. Just have to learn how to ski

[@JustCallMeMortal]

I know how it feels to broke leg.. 2 bone broke in car accident in leg.. and just knew it was broken.. I asked first ambulance guy look if it was open or close.. thank got it was close.. still have alot scars for surgery.. But feeling I have in that leg was something else.. only good thing was kt was because if accident because adrenaline kept me out of pain.. and then my brain start work like my leg didnt exist so no order go to the leg before pain was gone.. so I couldnt even move it even I tried.. was lucky that way..

[@OfficialAgentSunshine]

Everyone does it I think its like not our fault but we do it anyways

[@DashzRight]

this is what feels to be a dumbasss

[@KarmaFarma]

I don’t see enough people giving these two ski patrol gentlemen praise. Treated him with respect, humor, and humility. People like this are my hero’s. Always putting others well being at the top of their list and doing the right thing.

[@nineteen96]

20:32 " don't talk when i'm talkin, dave" oooo quite snappy

[@Christine-db2hq]

I was surprised no one else has mentioned that!

[@BeatBoyStill]

gotta relay info simple so they can be ready to help again, clear communication is vital

[@MambaDraws]

The people on that ski lift must've been worried. Imagine riding up the mountain, watching a guy fall, and then hearing:"AH MY LEG"

[@julestloid]

I was thinking that too! Imagine if one of them it was their first time skiing, lmao. "Oh god, some guy broke his leg, get me outta here, PLEASE," "Don't jump off hills at high speeds," "YOU'RE NOT HELPING"

[@Piranha-19_8]

He wasn’t even going fast 😂

[@BrianJinhoLee]

@@Piranha-19_8 maybe that was the problem. Going faster lets you land at a lower angle while what he did is just fall strait down.

[@PlutoPlays1]

"SWEET LIBERTY MY LEGGG!!!" (genuinely feel bad for the guy though, that looked like it did hurt like hell.)

[@vfrtom9669]

​@@BrianJinhoLeeyeah i thought so too it was like falling in slow motion

[@zitera1237]

One part of the video is "wooo!" "yeahh!" And the second one is "AahHHhHhhhHh!" "Aahhhhahhhh!" I feel so bad for this guy.

[@AVSF-eb3yp]

Same

[@junesuprise]

Had this coming

[@R_Euphrates]

Duality of man

[@Greenious]

there’s something inherently morbid about watching someone having fun knowing full well that they’re going to be in a world of hurt in a matter of minutes

[@coredefect6134]

Now that you mention it, Yeah 😂😂

[@ツクデレ]

totally agree

[@Tensho_C]

Yea i couldn't watch the fun part so i just skipped to the fall

[@jacobsmith3412]

this is exactly how I was feeling, patiently waiting for the "most replayed" part of the video

[@N42451]

Yeah but I didn't read the title so I was quite shocked when he landed

[@RowanShankaras]

Just the first couple seconds of “woos” and “yeahs” just make me feel SO bad 😓😭

[@marshataylor3703]

My dad was on National Ski Patrol for 50 years before he "retired". He has seen minor accidents and some pretty horrible accidents. Whenever the patrol would have a refresher training course my brothet and I got to be accident victims! I also learned to ski when I was 4 yrs old.

[@skeemarty]

Bro tried to hit a boulder jump going 2mph which was his first mistake, but it's really nice to see the skiing community helping with such passion :)

[@Ziptie258]

Yeah I’ve never skied before but I know ur not supposed to get that slow.

[@jerryhsu3708]

I've gone off that exact rock many many times. It's honestly one where it's better to roll off of. I've never stuck that landing sending it and I've never seen others stick it sending either. Any more speed and you'd hit a deceptively flat landing and drive your knees through your goggles. I wouldn't judge someone from a video ... although it is funny how fast he panicked lol.

[@Luke-b1l7n]

Omg that is so true

[@mola5445]

@@jerryhsu3708you are Not Jerryhsu

[@lucasmannings8336]

@@mola5445huh

[@thomasflanagan6299]

4:46 "can I help you?" the reason he asked was because he's reqired to have your permission to treat you. And yes, you can deny treatment

[@Kalashimi]

Bro imagine if he denied help and they just left him there 💀

[@PatioVR]

Well, they would try and persuade as much as possible but if he still denied then they would have had to they wouldn’t leave him die they’d just not treat him and take him too a safe place soz for the dialogue

[@oliviero46]

Hard to believe but it's no rare to have a skiier/boarder refusing treatment. Damn, we even had a rock climbing party refusing HELIVAC and in the end they had to call us again because they got lost in the clouds. We just stabilize the injury and ski down to nearest station.

[@sydakk]

@@Kalashimiwell I mean they probably would’ve stayed by him until he changed his mind or passed out

[@andmos1001]

It’s also a mentally question to see if you are mentally there

[@YasaiDayo]

Imagine if it was your first time snowboarding or skiing and you're on that lift, then all you hear is this man's cries of pain and suffering 💀

[@mythicalsalmon3621]

Yeah imagine going with your family seeing the snow for the first time... and bam! 😅😆

[@katusuie]

hah... yeah that did not happen to me when i went for the first time a couple weeks ago

[@itzrachei]

😭😭

[@Onatic99]

My family was driving down to skii on a big mountain when I was a kid, but as we were going past everyone we saw someone being taken away on the back of a snowmobile stretcher. My mum just decided to turn around and we didn't get to skii I'll never forgive her for that 😭😭

[@102xxScorpionxx102]

First time I went snowboarding we saw at least 3 ambulances come and go on our walk there alone. Countless nosebleeds and folks eating it on the way down too

[@thenameless4165]

First patrol guy just makes you feel safe

[@hotsaucexo]

I am quite impressed with the main guy talking during the rescue. Seems like a smart and caring guy who likes his job.

[@mathew4t3]

Screams in pain "I'm sorry" bro you in pain don't apologize they know it hurts. lol

[@mattwoodford1820]

I thought apologising for something that's not your fault was just something Brits did 😂

[@mandyfrade3047]

@@mattwoodford1820just it always be a county specific thing? humans are all the same lol everyone does this

[@alfatejpblind6498]

He feels he's a burden. Good guy

[@pumpalin8661]

@@mattwoodford1820you ever heard of Canadians?

[@mattwoodford1820]

@@pumpalin8661 really sorry, totally forgot about Canadians, you're right. My apologies

[@ImmortalCatMan]

The first patroller did an absolutely TEXTBOOK patient assessment. Everything in the right order and everything. Huge props.

[@maximuskay1]

Finishing up my EMT class rn and I was just thinking the same lol

[@davidkennedy3050]

missed CMS, textbook fail.

[@maximuskay1]

@@davidkennedy3050 to be fair, unless head, neck, or back pain is present, or they state that they have an inability to feel or move something, I don't think checking CMS is indicated outside of the broken leg. He can clearly move it and feel pain in it, and the ski boots aren't coming off at the top of a mountain to check distal pulse and sensation in the foot unless otherwise indicated by something else, at least in my amateur opinion. Something to do when you can actually do something about the leg, and until then, just book it down to where you can get it into a proper splint.

[@danmccarthy9748]

No PPE when checking injury site for blood. Automatic failure.

[@MrStealYoToast]

Completely skipped primary assessment, another injury could’ve been masked by the pain and no check was done to find it

[@emma29485]

Not him literally BREAKING HIS LEG and saying SORRY for being in pain😭

[@rachelyoung8401]

Doesn’t everyone do this though

[@thomashickey8084]

@@rachelyoung8401yea I do that aswell

[@T0tallyN0t_Asy4]

One time i was on a waterslide and almost broke my nose. And while it was bleeding like.. alot- i kept saying "SORRY-" over and over 😅 Ig its just some people's first instinct to do that 🤷‍♀️

[@Izzzy587]

It's that American shame

[@siamese7577]

Same exact thing my brother did when he broke his leg at the resort

[@frodosbno]

2:40 „Well John, this one’s for you, I’m gonna jump off that and get wrecked” 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ttv_doofe_kiste]

bro predicted it 💀

[@jodirobinson6965]

😮😮😮😬😬😬😬😬😬🤒🤒

[@SuspiciousWolf]

I hope John appreciates that level of dedication 😅

[@mikelpelger6517]

I've broken my leg skiing, Was going down a hill in Canada, Fell once, Left ski never came off. Went back down. There was a person infront of me who had fallen on a more tight part of the hill, I fell purposely not to hit them. I fell hard and did a barrel roll where my right ski didn't come off. Ended up with an spiral break and a hairline fracture in my tibia. Ski patrol didn't believe me when I said I felt the bones scraping. was forced onto the back of the Skadoo, even when they had a sled on the back. Driving up the hill and forced to go through the common entrence instead of the employee entrance next to us. Was forced to walk the entire way from the skadoo, around through the cafeteria and into the ski shop. They gave me a blanked and ice pack. They refused to splint my leg and took the boot off of me. I tried sitting normally but that didn't work due to the pain. So I lied down and the Teacher with us that day had to call my parents because the ski hill refused. The ski patroller ended up getting fired and being barred from becoming one in my province again. It was a pretty bad day..

[@shirleyw8720]

That’s shocking! Why did they do that? I hope you fully recovered.

[@InvertedAerials]

I declare b.s. also this video…staged. It’s amazing for the public to know we exist..and this is our job. But there is no way you had a spiral fracture and they put you on a skidoo. Nice try.

[@HappyPd]

"i hope you don't mind the moan, it makes me feel better" lmao

[@viktor_vasama]

13:48

[@Pink.Lemonade13]

@@viktor_vasamathanks, haha

[@fxyo1368]

Cursing and moaning does make extreme pain a little more bearable. Tested and proved on multiple accounts.

[@betsylaughlin8652]

Dr. Gabor Mate has entered the chat

[@Nacho_Cheee]

@@fxyo1368forget testing. I can personally verify it is almost good as opioids.

[@Goldarrow.89]

ski patrol handled this like super pros

[@snaifhassnan6348]

1.2k 3mo 1reply

[@MartianMoon]

@@snaifhassnan6348nobody cares dude why bother with these comments

[@codingvio7383]

Only in America can the phrase, "I will call an Ambulance", be used as a threat

[@Gary_Fairbrother]

Hands where I can see them, or the ambulance comes for your money

[@bluetickbeagles116]

USA 🇺🇸💩

[@Summerchild82]

MERICA RAAAHHHH 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅

[@Gazza0001]

cuz it cost money

[@CitarNosis317]

@@Gazza0001 In the US. Elsewhere it's free lol. You can call an ambulance here for a panic attack. If you have stomach acid. Whatever. They take you in if you want, you get instant blood test, EKG, you can sleep in a temporary room and once they have the tests back you are sent back home in a few hours. All for a big fat 0$. No charge whatsoever. Insane, I know.

[@m.bird.]

I love ski patrol. Feel totally safe with these fit, competent guys going Mach 7 in a sled towed by skis while my body is completely destroyed. They listen so much better than surgeons and understand the wild spirit of skiers. I'm completely calm with them. So grateful for ski patrol.

[@delaneyrichardson]

I like how blunt and real the one Ski Patrol guy was. I feel like if someone was trying to sugar coat it in that situation I’d just get irritated🤣

[@Grizzleburrr]

as a New Zealander it is really interesting, very alien, and almost south park like to see the rescue teams communication about certain rules and legality about asking if its ok to help, and then also outright talking about medical insurance and cost etc, especially while he's still laying in the snow with a broken leg ( unconfirmed at the time obviously) very odd but wow thanks for posting

[@jfiekms]

yeah unbelievable

[@BlAzInLoNdOnToWn]

America is a third world country

[@PBMS123]

Yeah as an australian this is weird.... Him saying he wanted to drive down as well, just blew my mind I wouldn't even be thinking that. Granted in Australia ski patrol would come down with a green whistle and give you that for the splinting, transfer and toboggan down the mountain. An ambulance would already be on the way, they wouldn't ask you. (Snow fields usually have some type of ambulance service on site in the first place) This is so alien, so sad too. edit: just finished reading the description, and found out that the wife drove up and then drove him down because he didn't want to pay for an ambulance. Damn man.

[@tamaradixon3280]

Yeah, it feels so callous seeing this from the perspective of an Australian. I broke my ankle funnily enough about a month after the video poster said he did (though I was roller skating, not skiing). The ambulance arrived and they pretty much immediately green-whistled me (in order to get the boot off), and took me straight to hospital. I didn't have to pay for the surgery several days after (plates, screws, a band around my bones to support my damaged ligaments) or the follow-up appointments including xrays, nor the four physiotherapy appointments through the hospital. I am eternally grateful that I didn't feel I had to compromise my health or endure excess pain simply because I couldn't afford it! This video drove home to me how vulnerable it would feel to be given kind of subpar care due to your financial status. 😢 Edit: I am about 98% back to normal, nowadays. I credit the physiotherapy for a large amount of that.

[@TravisHi_YT]

First step of first aid is asking if you can help (assuming they can respond).

[@megan7292]

As someone who broke their leg recently, I’m shocked at how well he handled this. It is so freaking painful.

[@ethansteen8880]

I’m sure the cold helped a lot

[@cpwl27]

Same dude, not even a week ago. Excruciating. Dudes a beast.

[@cpwl27]

@@ethansteen8880dude lmao cold just brings swelling down a bit. Absolutely nothing is going to aide a broken bone just because it’s cold out (he’s wearing snow pants), especially not a TIB FIB dude

[@The_Archivists]

Big thing is just keep breathing at a steady rate. Helps a lot to take your mind of it

[@Zeyna3]

@@The_ArchivistsI broke my arm leaving school one time and my nurse told me the same thing. What also helps is pinching your skin somewhere else so your mind can (try) to focus on the pain of pinching your skin instead of did your broken bone. Of course, it doesn’t remove the pain very well, but it’s way better than nothing.

[@sadisticwinter8354]

If I heard him scream that "AHHH MY LEG!!!!", I'd think he was trolling with that Spongebob scene and move on. Thank God I wasn't there.

[@theninjazedits]

That is outta pocketttt 😂😂😂

[@Killbayne]

anytime someone says "MY LEG" I instantly think of Fred the fish

[@Pekara121]

The people from a distance watching him explode 😂

[@Sedow1231]

Lmao same

[@catalickconverta6823]

I need ski patrol😂😂 what a gimp man yeee whooo, went over a jump way to slow screemed mid air like a wild animal an then hes like ahhh my legg😂😂

[@ThatERLC_Mod]

Respect to all of ski patrol, this is amazing to see them work hard.

[@adammatsson1322]

It really warmed my heart to see how you remained so nice and respectful even in such pain! I’m sorry that you had to go through that pain :(. I find it amazing how nice both you and the rescue team was :) Huge props to you!

[@BellaWalbrun]

I felt bad every single time he apologized. There's literally no reason to apologize when you're in that much pain. I think he did a really good job managing it, actually.

[@Izzzy587]

He is apologizing to his savings account

[@jibsayherp]

"Don't talk while I'm talking Dave" 20:33

[@daveyjoseph6058]

As a Dave, that shit is unacceptable

[@PhantomMods4]

sounds like Dave has a talking over people problem.

[@theunluckycharm9637]

​@@PhantomMods4Dave's are a weird kind

[@MysteryManGaming]

@@daveyjoseph6058LMFAO

[@PhantomMods4]

@@theunluckycharm9637 tell me about it. My dad’s named David.

[@ObliByMe]

Man, those ski patrol guys are CHAMPIONS! Communication perfectly both to each other and yourself, using humor to defuse the situation while not at your expense and being extremely thorough in both their actions and explanations. Society runs due to these kinds of people. Glad to hear you're doing better and are back out there skiiing!

[@veterandog]

“Gonna jump off that and get WRECKED!” Proceeds to jump off that and get wrecked. Nice call man. Hope you’re back at it soon!

[@kazoot8265]

That ski patroller has to be a registered paramedic for sure

[@vincekarlson4251]

He called it when he said he was going to get wrecked. Also, when he said he needed the ski patrol in my head, I heard Paw Patrol.

[@Plan3tMist]

For this mission we need Marshel! Use your medical equipment to tend to the skier And Everest! We need you to help tra sport marshel and the skier as marshels ambulance cant travel in the snow

[@alienfriend4658]

@@Plan3tMistLove this🤣🤣

[@ssuuss539]

@@alienfriend4658same!

[@mrsdiss]

Ski Patrol are like, the real heroes of the mountain.

[@juanchiramirez2299]

They really are, I broke my femur 5 months ago skiing in Alta, Utah. They helped me in less than a minute after I fell. Now almost fully recovered!

[@noemitellez3098]

They found my phone 30 mins before closing buried under feet of snow

[@Bethlam]

I agree, making noise through pain is REALLY comforting. I’m not taking screaming as if you are dying but that slow release of air does help with pain.

[@ArloTheDancer]

He seemed to be having so much fun. He seems like a great guy, he just wanted to have fun. Don’t apologize for being in pain!

[@emersonnolastname7563]

My dad was a ski patrol for a few years, promise you are one of the nicest people they had

[@SpAm-AcCoUnT]

This dude was a fucking model patient. Big ups.

[@Kenraali11]

Bro was chill as fuck about it too

[@keri-annlaspata8325]

I kept thinking when are they going to give him The Green Whistle. Then I remembered that’s only Bondi Rescue.😂

[@sophiatheisen565]

hahahah i guess we all watch the same shows

[@Loopy_Yeti]

They aren’t legal in the United States

[@miaiyess-ls3zo]

i love bondi rescue

[@moozycarrots]

Green whistle is standard in Australia - I was also waiting for it lol

[@Abcdefghimmmmm]

OMG same thought 😂😂😂😂😂

[@LiftWeightsLoveGod]

“You got insurance?” Him “no I don’t.” Them “sorry we can’t help you, hey Tom take the brace back off.” 🤣🤣 just imagine if that happened.

[@FxCHuw]

Lmfao. Best comment, and it should be pinned

[@BlueTable-t6k]

Cyberpunk ass country

[@kari34b54]

It doesn’t work like that. 😅 Getting off the mountain and the immediate treatment down at Ski Patrol is free. It’s the clinic that’s not free. He chose to get himself to the hospital in case he wasn’t covered. Personally, I would prefer the hospital anyway (since it is just the leg).

[@spastickid218]

We are RAPIDLY reaching a point here where that will happen alas...

[@masterhacker7065]

@@spastickid218 no we arent... you pay tickets and everything includes paying for the rare instance that this shit happens.

[@MountainBoppin]

Hey Bryce, As a fellow leg breaker I was really happy to see someone post a full incident. Most folks never get to see it. I found my own experience to be rather similar in certain ways, most strikingly I kept saying sorry to my rescuers like you did. It's scary and not scary at the same time as you focus on getting to the next step. Also I can confirm that the pain is much worse after fentanyl, but I could also argue the adrenaline has worn off by that point. Either way you're not alone in screaming in pain. I'm glad to hear you were back to sport fairly quickly, getting back to 98% you were blessed with quick recovery. PT all day every day. Cheers mate!

[@BON3MEAL]

absolutely love how much fun he was having before, this really captures how skiing in fresh pow feels

[@qmance8062]

As an european its mind boggling to me that they're talking about insurance and costs. This is dystopian. Healthcare must be public.

[@antoniobranderas]

US citizen living in Europe for 24 years and I find it ridiculous that they worry more about insurance than a person’s health. Pathetic. “Your insurance is not in our network, so you can leave now.”

[@geoffreylloyd9207]

@@antoniobranderas they aren't denying care. If they bill him for the care it will be really expensive vs using his insurance. He is stable enough to make an informed decision and they are allowing him to do that.

[@CraigSteele12]

Genuinely horrific. If I was injured last thing I would want to worry about is 'how much is this going to cost me?!' As a Brit I find it laughable that the vast majority of yanks saw Obamacare as a bad thing. Could have had free healthcare like the rest of us. One thing the UK has got right is our incredible NHS. (Who do need more funding and praise).

[@DarkkestNite]

​@@CraigSteele12lol what? We *passed* obamacare, it made our shitty system less shitty, but making a system like the NHS is incredibly ambitious in the current US political climate. The insurance companies have a HUGE lobby

[@ItIsJan]

​​@@CraigSteele12 well, its not free, its just that the richer people will pay for the poorer peoples healthcare (but your main point is right imo)

[@izzywhat]

it’s interesting you kept saying sorry after screaming(groaning) in pain. I felt the same way when i injured my back, i felt guilty for screaming around the doctors. I wonder why we feel that way when we are injured. I guess it’s the inconvenience we perceive to have caused. That just feels silly though.

[@tamaradixon3280]

I guess part of it is probably that making noises like that isn't something we generally do in public, but they're kind of involuntary when you're injured, so you can't help it. So when you do it, your first response is then to apologise. I imagine children probably don't apologise for making noises when hurt, so it's likely a learned behavior!

[@DarkkestNite]

For me, (fucked myself up at the gym and there were people around as paramedics got me out) I was lowkey worried I'd traumatize someone 😅 Hearing someone scream in pain is distressing, but it's worse for the person hurting to hold it in, so what can ya do

[@CASA-dy4vs]

@@DarkkestNitedon’t worry dude, I was in primary school and I ran into the sharp end of a gate really fast. Knocked out for a minute or 2 and just started wailing after processing what happened. (Mind you everyone in the court was huddled around me) came back a week later and everyone was fine

[@YahyaImranParacha]

I once nearly broke my back when I fell from my bunk bed and was temporarily disable for almost a month but before that I crashed while riding on the road . Drove straight in to a construction site bending my wrist and having 12 fractures in my right leg but now I am fine To be honest I also feel kinda bad when I groan in front of the doctor or paramadics

[@ObamAmerican48]

Those of you from other countries commenting about insurance discussions in the midst of a medical emergency: brothers and sisters, you don't know the half of it 🤯 There are thousands of for-profit health insurance companies in the US, and each of those companies have thousands of different plans. And they all do their level best to deny payment for medical care.

[@bluetickbeagles116]

Good ole capitalism. 👺

[@amoliski]

And then they go and put their name on a football/soccer/baseball stadium just to brag about the difference in money they take in vs. pay out...

[@CrashNTheBoys2002]

@@bluetickbeagles116Canada,Uk and France are capitalist countries but still have universal healthcare. There really isn’t an excuse for poor healthcare in one of the “richest” countries in the world.

[@cilantroisbetterthanparsley]

American medical bills are high because the people barely pay taxes. If they paid more taxes (like other countries), medical bills would be low.

[@MrLazynko]

In here its free even they call helicopter to carry him to hospital.

[@Petrenko.Oleksandrovych]

Aw man, on a powder day as well is rough. Hope you made a full recovery man.

[@owenclark9343]

It truly is incredible work these people do, medical stuff can be difficult in normal situations but on a snowy mountain is next level and they still act with professionalism and proper care 👍🏻

[@rosie7346]

Holy shit dude, you were super level headed with the ski patrol. At least we get the green whistle in Australia as on field analgesia.

[@jillwisland680]

We don't belive in such things unless you are in a really bad way....

[@rosie7346]

@@jillwisland680 a tib fib fracture is a perfect indication for field analgesia

[@jillwisland680]

@rosie7346 Sure, but I rarely if ever, see people being given analgesia in the field. Just tough it out until you get into the ambulance or the hospital.

[@sophiatheisen565]

@@jillwisland680we definitely believe in it, however we don’t have it thanks to american health care

[@nine9nine9]

​@@jillwisland680 ... Why? That's stupid to wait until you're in a hospital

[@triggered3107]

Awesome to see the whole process of it all but its mind-blowing, as a swede to see u guys talking about health insurance when you're in that state! Hope it healed well.

[@brycebigelow7448]

@@triggered3107 Yes, i’m skiing again and the leg is 99% back. Ya health insurance is always on my mind. I didn’t take an ambulance because of that haha.

[@TravisHi_YT]

@@brycebigelow7448 Maybe you should get some insurance if you're going to go over any more jumps ;)

[@ZePopTart]

⁠@@TravisHi_YT most of us do have insurance. With ambulance “coverage”. That does not mean “covered”. In fact could be thousands of dollars. And exempt from out of pocket max. Yeah I’ll take an Uber instead please.

[@herstoryanimated]

​@@ZePopTart To the rest of the world that's ridiculous, you should be able to take an ambulance without having to worry if your insurance will pay, or if you can afford it. As a Brit it's just wild! I've called a few ambulances in my time (only one for me, so far), it didn't cost a single penny, I didn't have to think or worry about money at all just my/the other people's health. USA is mad

[@EK-ni7jc]

@@TravisHi_YT Ambulance rides can be super expensive even if you have insurance; I've declined them before as well in favor of having someone drive me, despite never having been uninsured.

[@caitlynwheezygames]

I’ve never seen ski patrol bring someone back before, they’re wicked because moving in snow is difficult and hauling a whole grown person back with you can’t be easy even with the assist from sliding snow and the skis. Glad you’re recovering man

[@firstmatepetethedreadful3696]

"Dave stop talking while I'm talking" Genuinely hilarious dude knows what to do

[@daniellamorten6230]

I'm a critical care paramedic who skis and serves in an area with 2 ski resorts so I have respect for ski patrol, it's interesting seeing them staying in their scope of practice which is probably extremely small as I'm assuming they're at the EMR scope and not the EMT or AEMT scope

[@someguy7897]

It's interesting to see the whole process from start to finish, thanks for sharing.

[@KingSolrac]

DAMN, reading the comments glad to see you're doing better. But 1 minute for ski patrol to show up is insane more props to them! edit: you're the coolest for apologizing, holy shit!

[@jfiekms]

talking about insurance WHILE getting rescued is wild. usa is kind of a dystopia in my opinion.

[@TheCalmbrain]

Super depressing !! United states is all about the money than its people oh wait Migrant than its people lol

[@DarkkestNite]

The first time I had to go in an ambulance to the ER I was highkey panicking about cost the whole time. Paramedic took my insurance info on the way, too 🙃

[@jfiekms]

@@DarkkestNite Absolutely crazy. Cost is the very last thing we talk about when we get released from the hospital. And because only about 50.000 people in germany are not insured, nobody ever thinks about cost.

[@bluetickbeagles116]

Land of the “free” 🇺🇸🙄

[@katanaki3059]

Indeed. We’re big on herbal remedies and avoid hospital.

[@DingleFlop]

Thanks for providing this wonderful POV experience. I'm very glad I don't need to pay the price of admission that you did.

[@Hsaffff]

Ski patrol is next level, respect to all you guys!

[@MrReborn12345]

not on a powder day 😭

[@Goatguy2021]

Right

[@MOAB-UT]

Yes. That is the real tragedy here!

[@Piranha-19_8]

Finally someone understands 😭

[@TheOneYoungling]

He fell into powder lol

[@Infact77]

you rock bro, took that like a champ and even kept apologizing! glad to hear you've mostly healed, I hope you get all your strength back soon!

[@kylepayton1036]

Sheesh. Nice to see the process. A lot of anxiety watching the riding knowing what was to come. Thanks for sharing and good luck with recovery

[@lkhvw2042]

It is mad and amazing that ski patrol can just sled you down. I'm sure it's not the most comfortable but definitely the most efficient way to get you to help.

[@Zach_22_]

Chillest ski patrol ever

[@Lis_Kid]

First resquer there really had such a calming typically american dad voice, what a great guy ❤

[@teamwolfyta]

Ski Patrol was awesome, That initial Ski Patrolmen was awesome. Nice work!

[@Overmotor]

great job by the patrol. Being positive, kind and joking around does wonders for someone mentally when they're in pain.

[@billphipps453]

you were doing so good... I hope John is happy...

[@bladescale9182]

Props to the guy who carried him the whole way down and kept checking in on him ❤❤

[@Thesploinker]

This is pretty much exactly what It was like when I broke my leg skiing Except it took over 20 mins for ski patrol to show up and luckily I didn't have to undergo any surgery It's kind of neat because when you break your leg the adrenaline and (if you are skiing) coldness just numbs the pain until you get back to somewhere safe which it starts to hurt a lot more.

[@sampsonng4511]

Took mine 45 mins bro. I was recording my runs.

[@obvioustrash7833]

Broke my collarbone skiing once (glasses fogged up as I was about to enter a buggle piste with quite some speed). Front flipped onto my pole and broke it. I thought I sprained a muscle or something and kept skiing the entire day. In the evening I realised something wasnt quite right and got an xray to find out it was broken. Adrenaline is crazy

[@yovillu]

i had the exact same injury pretty much on the same place too. my ski didnt come off when i fell and i heard a big crack when my leg twisted. its always the most fun ride when you fall and you never know its gonna happen

[@pepperypeppers2755]

Thanks for the guide, I'll be trying this next time i hit the slopes

[@TheAngieIshmael]

Thank you for sharing this with us! I hope you have a good recovery

[@rachelpaul2731]

Happy you’re ok, also thought it was sweet that everyone was checking in on you on their way up. I feel the constant apologizing I’ve done the same thing!

[@swashbucklesfortysix5511]

a good patroller sure knows his stem christie those sleds are damn heavy with a person riding

[@blackm00r65]

Damn that xray is scary as hell, i broke my leg 15 years ago and i can almost feel your pain man... hope the recovery went smoothly for you

[@treadlightly6427]

Took that like a champ brother! Keep shredding!

[@lilBabyYAGGA]

I love how calm and gentle the ski patrol is, surely calming

[@TzunSu]

Man, those guys were *great*! Making you laugh and feel as relaxed as possible in such a shitty situation. Kudos!

[@Dreamgymnast5]

Makes me glad i live in a country where i dont have to worry about medical insurance, its sad that the usa has Healthcare so focused on money

[@spyder027]

Blame the rich men at the top of it all not the country. Theres probably a lot of politicians getting a good amount of money from it also. Its not the people of the US we all dislike it also

[@lost619]

They were so nice :) a patient should always be able to tell you when there's pain! Any doctor or professional that says otherwise isn't in the right proffession! Glad your ok!

[@roxdog7754]

Cheeesshhhh, i saw the break and i tought, like respect for the guy, i would've been screaming every inch of that room full and passing out and stuff sheesh, respect dude, you handled that so well, btw i love youre video's keep it up like that and you'lle be famous, i hope you get better soon, so you can be up skiing again

[@Disembodied]

broke my femur out at Snowbird a couple years ago - worst feeling ever... hope you recovered by now man!

[@Xzartol]

went from “woo, yeah!” to “arrrrggggghhhhhaaaa i need ski patrol” real quick, hope you have a speedy recovery and are back out there having fun again bro

[@powthehamster]

It's really cool seing everything lol, before disaster, during, and the after (the description) Yeah man, reading the description, that must have been a painful rideeee. Even with the Fentanyl and all, if the damage is really bad, then you'll still feel the pain. Kinda sucks but hey, i guess no drug is strong enough sadly. I'm glad you recovered though!

[@Hh11873]

I feel so bad for you because you were having sooooo much fun. Oh well, there is always next years snow. Take care.

[@suannecolegrove5952]

I used to live in a cold climate and the sniffling is so real man. I am so sorry about your leg, It sounded like it hurt! I hope it healed fast :)

[@goodnightut]

yeah, i did this, but i went too fast over the jump and missed the landing zone. smashed on the flat. sucked hard. my buddy pulled me up and got me on my feet, which hurt like hell. we skied down slowly and went home then i was ok for a month as i took it easy. then one day i couldn't walk. sure enough, i had broken my leg. glad you had patrol to help. quick recovery and proper healing helps. my leg is still messed up b/c I didn't get attention fpr my injury

[@MrManchez2002]

This literally happened to me 7 weeks ago in Australia, love that this is recommended now

[@jodymckenzie3828]

Hope you have the best possible recovery.

[@nathanm8792]

I like the first ski patrol dude he seems like he actually gives a shit

[@Liam-cg8of]

Thanks John look what you did...

[@danielhandler6646]

I broke my tib fib clean through just slipping on snow on stairs in house shoes. The pain was just unimaginable until you go through it. By the time the PV ride to the hospital was over I was screaming basically non stop. I was screaming so bad even the nurses were telling me to shh... and I told them that was absolutely not possible. Finally they gave me what I think was morphine and things calmed down immediately. I remember every moment up to them putting me under for the tibial nail. I tried so hard to stay awake and then it was just like nope! Out. lol. Had a great surgeon and generally don't have much issue at all with the nail being in, 24 years later. Recovery to relatively normal walking was probably 3 months. They wanted weight bearing a few weeks after surgery.

[@muscleman125]

First time you break a bone, it might not always be apparent that's what happened, especially if it wasn't a bad fracture. But every time you break a bone after that first one, you will know right away that something fractured, even if it was very minor. I've fractured both of my elbow radius bones. the first arm, i didn't know if it was broken or just extremely painful. the 2nd time i fell on my other arm, I knew right away I cracked it.

[@reckingcrew2277]

That’s so funny, I have broken my arm/wrist twice and a finger once, every single time I wasn’t sure if it was broken or not.

[@spyder027]

I had a mountain bike crash and I fell very hard on my right side. My entire right arm seized up for around 30 seconds from how hard I hit the ground. I somehow only fractured my radius but I didn’t even know it was broken at the time. I got back on my bike and kept riding for a minute before I thought maybe this is broken not just banged up.

[@ltsCrypt]

I’ve broken my arms twice back when I was 9ish and I had zero clue they were broken same with when I broke my foot when I was 13.

[@Rekt0n3r]

Exactly! I broke 8 bones and i just know it every time!😂

[@borborygmuss]

True!!! I broke my ankle after falling in a hole while walking through fields at night. I heard a loud snap and i started screaming but i had to pull myself up. I walked to the store on my broken ankle and all the way home while crying and yelling cause i thought i sprained it. spent the night moaning in agony. my dad took me to the ER next morning. If it's your first broken bone, you definitely wouldn't be able to tell.

[@adithr6846]

Hope you get better man! Good video showing the ins and outs of getting a rescue out on a hill.

[@duddex_]

kinda exact same happened to me in january, broke both shin bones snapped in half when i ski didnt release and it twisted my leg the wrong way to say xD. open fracture i had a bit more pain than this tho. those patrolers really are good at their job. The sled wasnt so nice to go down on tho i can say xD every bump felt real good xD. And i have pretty much the exact same thing as you did afterwards. 6 months since injury and im like 90% good in my leg. got the titanium marrow nail for life. Nice video not any harm ment but good to see im not the only one who can twist my leg.

[@thetobyg]

You did not even get a helicopter with an open fracture, omg?

[@the_average_canadian]

The craziest part about this video (to me as a Canadian) is that his biggest concern was worrying about paying for the whole ordeal and making sure his insurance would cover it. It's archaic. I can't imagine sustaining an injury like that and not going straight to the nearest hospital. Having to worry more about the bill than you're worrying about getting fixed up is crazy.

[@rowdyoutdoors5397]

John should love that level of dedication his friend has. He did exactly what he said he would do

[@firetrucksrule07]

These guys are awesome. Feel bad for the skier specially since he seemed to be having so much fun. Ouch on the Xrays.