I’m five years old. I know I look big for my age but my dad is six feet and two inches tall. My Mom says that’s where I get it from – my height.
That’s why I’m so amazed that the guy in the car doesn’t see me.
Skateboarding Survival – One Boy’s Story
My friends all have skateboards. We like to pretend that we’re flying down the sidewalk, like Superman. I never worry about skateboard safety because I’m Superman. I’m going pretty fast, lying on my belly, hands out in front of me, racing down the sidewalk on my skateboard. My extra T-shirt tied around my neck – my cape.
We live on a nice tree lined street with shrubs and ivy everywhere. We like to play hide and seek in the neighbor’s yards – just watch out for the dogs and grouchy Mr. Swinson.
But everything’s great right now, flying down the street on my skateboard, Superman style. Clack, clack, clack, my wheels click over the breaks in the sidewalk.
I’m so fast I know I’ll beat Mr. Swinson’s car. It’s right there. I guess he’s going somewhere, backing his car across my sidewalk, slowly.
I’m pretty certain I’ll make it, but just at the last second, his tire catches me. My skateboard pops out from underneath me, like a cat that got its tail stepped on. It’s dark under his car and I can’t breathe or shout or make a noise. That big car tire is perched on top of me, squeezing my back. My hands are still outstretched in front of me but I’m on the ground now. I see my skateboard scooting down the sidewalk and I fall asleep.
That was many years ago. I remember waking up in the hospital, bruised and sore all over. Life is an amazing series of connected events. At the time of course, we don’t realize that what we’re living. The events of today become a kind of map that, looking back, coalesce into the journey that becomes “us.” It takes just seconds for the unexpected to occur, no prediction is certain for what will happen in the course of life. The only constant is that ‘something’ will happen. I find, the more time that passes (event free), the more I expect something to happen. What exactly that unexpected event will be remains unknown. As a result, the best defense is to be prepared and when the unplanned, unexpected happens, be capable and prepared.
The training provided at SureFire CPR provides that preparation. SureFireCPR offers a variety of pre-hospital training and first responder educational courses. Among the available classes are Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and recertification in both disciplines. Experienced instructors teach all courses, now available in Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.
Surviving a traumatic childhood event certainly gave me the initiative to always be prepared for life’s challenges I know now that even Superman should think about skateboard safety. SureFire CPR offers approved First Aid courses to better prepare the public for the most unexpected events.
Take a moment today to help safely manage tomorrow.
