Date of Event: 8/20/2016
Canyon involved: Monmouth Creek
Region: Squamish, British Columbia
Country: Canada
Submitted by: Dan Halim
Source: www.ropewiki.com, participant self-report
Injury: Fracture
Cause: Rappel error

Description of Event: A team of eight intermediate-expert canyoners set out to descend Monmouth Creek. On Rap 4, a canyoner (male, mid-20s, seasoned caver) struck an underwater ledge/boulder at the bottom of the rappel. The subject described rappelling at a moderately high rate of speed into the pool, and his outstretched right foot/ankle unexpectedly struck a boulder/ledge beneath the surface of the water. The patient complained of ankle pain and was unable to bear weight on the leg. Due to the large, flat, dry boulder and ease of exit at the bottom of R5, the patient and a few others in the group decided that it would be best to move to that area. The subject determined that he could complete R5 on his own. At the bottom of R5, the patient was situated on a large, mostly-flat boulder. A member of the team (a physical therapist) made an assessment and applied two SAM splints to the lower leg/ankle/foot with Gorilla tape. Pain medication was also administered. The team decided to send two canyoners to assist the subject to safety while the remainder of the team descended the rest of the creek. The patient was able to crawl down the steep trail—sometimes using a sturdy stick for balance, and sometimes utilizing help from the two team members accompanying him. Meanwhile, a text message was sent out to a family member to arrange for a car pickup on the Spit Road for transportation to the hospital. On the flatter part of the trail, the team used a two-person carry technique with one person on each side of the injured canyoner. Crossing the Squamish River required ferrying both the canoe and the patient across two gravel islands. Once across the river, the injured canyoner was transported by car to the hospital. After 6 weeks of wearing an air cast and not bearing weight on the leg, the canyoner fully recovered.

Analysis: Pools can contain underwater hazards that are not visible from above. Speed-rappels into water (like jumps) should be scouted first.