Date of Event:  6/17/2017

Canyon involved:  Fornocal 

Region:  Huesca

Country:  Spain

Submitted by:  Dan Scott

Source:  self-report

Injury:  Sprain or strain

Cause:  Fall or slip, Canyoneering solo

 

Description of Event:  I was soloing on this trip in order to collect scientific data in the canyon (I am a river scientist, and I was studying the physical and biotic characteristics of canyons in Spain on this trip). While the rock in Fornocal is generally sticky, this drop had two unusually slick spots in it, one of which I slipped on. Successfully downclimbing the preceding drops and having already successfully descended and collected data in 14 canyons in the last two weeks (5 of those solo) likely made me overconfident as I descended this canyon, which may have contributed to my rushing and poor downclimbing technique. I also consider myself an experienced and capable canyoneer and field scientist. This injury was another reminder to check my ego at the first drop and more carefully consider my personal safety when planning field data collection. 

Fornocal is a long canyon, and despite getting an early start, I was moving fast to ensure I had time to collect the data I needed. As part of moving fast, I downclimbed this particular drop facing outwards, not maintaining 3 points of contact at all times during the downclimb. While I commonly downclimb facing outward on easier, low angle drops (e.g., where butt sliding is helpful), this was not an easy downclimb (steep, nearly vertical, with hard-to-see pockets and caves). While downclimbing a short (less than 5 meter) drop that ended in a shallow (less than 1.5 meter) pool, one foot slipped out from underneath me. Due to not having enough points of contact, I fell approximately 1.5 – 2 meters and landed chest-deep in the pool at the bottom of the drop. My right foot struck hard on a bulbous upward protrusion of travertine. I experienced sharp pain in my right ankle. I limped and swam out of the pool onto a dry ledge that separated this pool from the next drop (a short rappel).
 
I had just got my Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification a month prior, and followed NOLS wilderness medicine protocol to treat the injury (sized up the scene; checked airway, breathing, circulation, disability decision, and exposed the injury; did a head to toe exam; and went through a full patient history). After a useability test, I found I had limited range of motion and my ankle was tender to movement, but not pressure. I taped my ankle to support it, but found that I didn’t have enough tape in my first aid kit to do a full tape job. (For context, this was day 17 of a 30 day trip in which I was doing 1-2 canyons per day with only occasional rest days, and I had already treated other minor injuries on the trip.).

I was able to continue down the rest of the canyon, slowly and get back to my car without further injury.

 

Analysis:  

  1. Rushing through a canyon can be dangerous. Efficiency of traveling through a canyon in order to make good time is different than racing through it. 
  2. Downclimbing significant drops is an advanced skill. It is often better to rappel or have a belay until the nature of the climb is determined.
  3. Solo canyoneering has significant risks. Teams of four are safer. One person can wait with the injured while the other two go for help.
  4. First aid training with periodic updates are very useful in the outdoor environment.

ICAD Analysis:

Experience mitigates some risks, but adds other risks. Complacency can occur when we have sufficient experience such that we tend to “automate” or perform tasks without conscious thought because we have some level of subconscious competence. While this is normal behavior, because environments are constantly changing even though they may be similar to our historical experience, this instinct poses additional hazards. We must consciously put an effort into challenging our preconceived biases and experiences to properly and accurately assess situations we are in, “here and now.” Many accidents have occured because “we’ve done it that way before,” or, “we’ve done this a million times without a problem.” But risks are not black and white, and just because methods have worked many times does not mean they will always work in all situations; or, many times, we can make mistakes without consequence, and without conscious introspection, we may not realize that a mistake was made or that there is a safer and better method for approaching the problem, even if other methods will work… most of the time. The fact that no negative consequence occurred doesn’t necessarily mean the best or safest method was applied to the problem.

As always, canyoning solo presents significant risks, even in “easy” environments or with “experienced” canyoneers. Anyone can make a mistake or experience a bout of bad luck, and although we can mitigate many risks, we cannot eliminate them. Working in teams with experienced canyoneers not only brings in different and valuable perspectives to approaching problems, but also mitigates risks in the event of serious injuries or technically challenging problems. Many technical challenges or problems are easier to overcome with multiple people and more equipment as well, and the burden of carrying equipment can be distributed. Although many canyons have been descended solo without incident, some have perished or suffered serious injuries because they were adventuring alone, and would otherwise not have had the same experience if others had been there to assist.

Proper canyon pacing is also extremely important; extingent circumstances or serious problems can be compounded by more mistakes or injuries. Thus, when proceeding through a canyon, even or especially in, an emergency, due care and consideration must always be taken when resolving rappels, downclimbs, flowing water crossings, other technical challenges, and even stream walking. Rushing, fatigue, and deteriorated mental performance leads to mistakes, and mistakes can compound already serious issues. Techniques to move efficiently through a canyon are numerous and can expedite travel times, but regardless, teams should be prepared to spend the night in any canyon in the event of an unexpected problem.

Another consideration for canyon pacing is day to day and weekly/monthly pacing. Consecutive days of canyoning or other events or responsibilities that reduce sleep and require a high degree of physical and mental performance  add an element of physical and mental fatigue that carries forward over time. Although time constraints in unique environments and limited vacation time can tempt us to “make the most of the time we have,” make a conscious effort to constantly evaluate your mental and physical state, and those of your fellow companions. Mental or physical fatigue, coupled with a “fear of missing out,” can unnecessarily elevate risks of serious injury or catastrophic events over time. As fun as canyoning can be, there are other fun activities, great food, and interesting people to meet outside of canyons, and these rest days can make the next canyons more pleasant, enjoyable, and safer.