Forward motion, headfirst & horizontal to gravity!
What's going on in your head?
I ran into a kayak buddy last weekend and he told me the harrowing story of his bad swim on the San Joaquin this summer. After a couple of missed rolls and bailing out of the boat, Chris was suddenly sucked underwater into a cave above a big drop. He was violently slapped around by the water and the rocks and finally flushed out into the hole at the bottom of the drop. Some maytaging was followed by his escape with cuts, scrapes, and a dislocated shoulder.
What was really interesting about his narrative was his state of mind after the initial panic of being sucked in the cave: He said he suddenly calmed down after realizing he had 2 possible outcomes: pinned against the walls of the cave and dying or flushed out into the hole bellow and dying. Chris's calm was marked by a feeling of peace, clarity of thought and a slow motion aspect to everything that happened. Surprisingly to me, this was eerily identical to my own experience on a long hold-down.
Far greater minds than mine have researched this subject. But at the risk of seeming morbidly curious, I would love to know from the riverboarding community: What was your state of mind, what did you feel, during those moments on the river-I know you've had them-when the chips were down, you thought this is it? Is there a commonality to our human experience when faced with sudden, imminent death?
What was really interesting about his narrative was his state of mind after the initial panic of being sucked in the cave: He said he suddenly calmed down after realizing he had 2 possible outcomes: pinned against the walls of the cave and dying or flushed out into the hole bellow and dying. Chris's calm was marked by a feeling of peace, clarity of thought and a slow motion aspect to everything that happened. Surprisingly to me, this was eerily identical to my own experience on a long hold-down.
Far greater minds than mine have researched this subject. But at the risk of seeming morbidly curious, I would love to know from the riverboarding community: What was your state of mind, what did you feel, during those moments on the river-I know you've had them-when the chips were down, you thought this is it? Is there a commonality to our human experience when faced with sudden, imminent death?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Josh Galt on -
The only thing going through my mind while crashing at 65kph last weekend and bouncing across the snow was "AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!" ;)
Sometimes there's no time to think or react. I'm not sure how you'd do it at twice that speed falling through the air, Jen - but maybe the instinct reactions kick in when it's serious, when it's really life or death.
My recent crash was just kind of funny, and I knew eventually I'd stop when I hit powder. Plus I had no instincts for that situation haha.
After the waterfall beatdown on the Kaituna years ago I spent a lot more time visualizing those types of scenarios. I've encountered holes that ate me, waterfalls that sucked me back in (I was even playing follow-cam once and have footage of a 30 second beatdown in Husum, of all random places), and the worst, an undercut wall.
The wall was in recent years, and it's really true that when you've spent the time visualizing how to escape, and practicing staying calm, that instincts do kick in. That would have been a really bad situation but for quick action and a bit of divine grace I think.
But even the most well-prepared sometimes have accidents, take Shane McConkey as an example. He was known as the most anal-retentive guy when it came to safety preparation. And he did eventually get his ski off and get into flight position - time just ran out.
I think mental (psychological) preparation can really be helpful in preventing early exits from life, but I think the other factor is knowing that you've lived your life as fully as you could, so when your number gets called, whether while doing your sport or courtesy of a Mack truck, you're ready to go...or old age, I guess that'd be the ideal, right? :)
When one is at peace with their life, and has prepared for risky situations mentally and physically, I think they'll be more at peace - and thus will respond better - during life-threatening situations.
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Permalink Reply by Waterboarder1 on -
Well said, Josh.
Shane McConkey's demise is one of the most vivid reminders that we can't suspend the laws of physics...
The best we can hope for is to bend them a little for a few brief moments of time.
Use that time wisely!!!
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