PT, travel plans can save your life

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Marshall Brace
  • 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
KADENA AB, Japan --  As a member of the United States military, you constantly hear about the importance of things like physical training, legal readiness, travel plans, and having a wingman, but have you ever thought that PT or a good travel plan could save your life? On a recent trip to Beijing, China, I discovered firsthand the importance of such things when I experienced what has become known as "The Great Fall."

Traveling is one of my favorite hobbies, which I share with my wife, Megan. While stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, I took the opportunity to vacation in Beijing. Once there, the site I was most excited to see was the Great Wall of China. Knowing that I'm not the only one, we hired a driver to take us to a part of the wall that would not be so busy. At the time, I did not comprehend that less tourists also means less wall maintenance, more crumbly conditions, and no warning signs. Therefore, I did not foresee the danger when I backed into a low part of the castellated side to pose for a picture.

I leaned on the wall and some of the stones broke loose, catalyzing my fall backwards. There was nothing I could do to stop it as I was already off my feet and falling backwards into the jungle below, head first. Looking at my feet and the sky, I thought, "Oh, this is gonna' be bad."

The fall was at least 30 feet, but the thought that I was going to die never once crossed my mind. Doctors kept telling me how lucky I was just to have survived the fall; at 30 feet, 50% of victims die, and the other 50% usually end up paralyzed or seriously injured. So for me, to have walked away with few serious injuries was truly amazing. While there were a few factors that contributed to my survival, one thing in particular that the doctors stressed the most was being in peak physical condition. My muscles held my back together so that pieces of my crushed vertebrate did not slip into my spinal cord and leave me paralyzed.

After determining that I was not paralyzed, we determined that in my condition we needed to seek reputable medical attention quickly. We managed to get me down the Great Wall and back to our driver so she could take us to the hospital I had researched for my travel plan. A travel plan is something that all Airmen are required to prepare before heading to a foreign country on leave, and includes information on the nearest US Embassy, local police station and hospital. I chose Beijing United Family Hospital, knowing that it is internationally accredited, one of the best international hospitals in the world, and employs a completely English speaking staff.

Beijing United was incredible, and they took great care of me. They worked with Megan, my travel buddy and health power of attorney, and helped her make medical decisions, contact SOS International Singapore (The emergency branch of TriCare), and notify my Chain of Command while they checked me out. After X-Rays, a CT scan, and an ultrasound, the doctors determined that I had a small puncture in my lung, fractured T-10 and L-3 vertebrates, and a crushed L-2 vertebrae compressed to half its size. I needed emergency spinal surgery as soon as possible, and thanks to quick decisions by my doctors, SOS International, and all of my legal preparation before leaving Japan, the surgery was performed the next day.

My doctors are confident that I will make a full recovery, and my surgeon even thanked me for being in great shape. The surgeon said that he too often sees people with similar injuries who are not active and sometimes tells them, "I don't know if you will be able to walk again." What a difference diet and exercise can make.

During our stay at the hospital, we contacted the U.S. Embassy, in particular the Defense Attaché Office. They were an incredible support system, and we owe them a huge thanks for coming to visit us multiple times during my 10-day hospital stay, coordinating with everyone in Okinawa, putting my wife on travel orders, and helping expedite our medical evacuation back to Japan. If you find yourself in an emergency situation overseas, the embassy is your local support system 24/7, so ensure you have their local number before leaving home.

My close call gave me time to think about how grateful I am for more time to enjoy life, my wife, and to see my unborn baby. I also came away with a greater admiration for the military, and am so appreciative that they had my back. My unit, the 909th Air Maintenance Unit, treated us with kindness and compassion while in China, helped with the air evacuation from Yokota to Kadena, and they continue to support my recovery efforts. Before my accident, I ran a marathon, and I intend to run another after my recuperation is complete. I challenge you to set goals for yourself that improve your physical fitness, to ensure that you live a long, healthy life. Next time they brief the same things over again at roll call, don't let the information go in one ear and out the other - it could save your life.