Wes Potts seriously injured in Plett
Source: www.sixty40.co.za/wpba
posted by Damon Crawford on 14th July 2010
As most of you know one of WP's finest, Wes Potts, suffered a broken neck at this years' Wedge Classic this past Friday.
Whilst the nature of his injuries are very serious, Wes is safe and sound at home, and is expected to make a full recovery. This is mainly thanks to the amazing support he received on the beach prior to being transferred for further medical assistance.
Paramedic and Cape bodyboarder, Jamie Higgins, was on hand at the scene and had the following to say about the nature of Wes' injuries:
"Wesley suffered a fracture of his C6 vertebrae as well as compressions in some of his Thoracic vertebrae while surfing the Wedge on Friday the 9th of July. He hit the sand bank head first and immediately heard 2 cracks in his neck. He got to the beach and knew something was wrong and medical assistance was called for. He will be out the water for four months and in a neck brace for a month and a half.
He was told by doctors that had it not been for the precautionary measures taken on the beach by medics that he may have been paralyzed or potentially dead.
Lyndal Jucker, Jamie Higgins, Ryan Jucker and the NSRI station of Plettenberg Bay all played a integral role in the care and management of Wesley during his accident."
WP Bodyboarding would like to take this opportunity to raise awareness about the potential dangers of our sport and the seriousness with which we need to handle our approach to risk taking. Our sport has over recent years crossed boundaries into waves that have previously been thought of as un-surfable.
We want you to be aware of these possible dangers and we also want you to know what to do if a situation in which a neck or a back injury occurs.
Jamie "Budgie" Higgins has again kindly given us his advice and we suggest you take this up so you are ready for any situation. Here are some simple steps to follow:
What to do:
If there is suspected spinal injury (is there neck or back pain??) don’t move the patient, you could cause more harm. Have them lie flat in a safe place (above the high water mark).
Call Netcare on
082 911 or an ambulance service; Call the METRO ambulance service on
10177 and if necessary contact your nearest NSRI post. Report to them the nature of the incident - they will take it from there and ask you all necessary questions.
Be Safe and our thoughts are of course with Wes and his family during this difficult time.
WP Bodyboarding.
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Comments
 | Billy Tennant
16th July 2010 23:53 |
| Get well soon boss! So sorry 2 hear about this but thanks 2 all the guys who helped there was no fatal injuries!! Get well soon brother man... |
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