David Cifaldi, a wound‑care nurse, found himself the victim of a freak accident during a mountain trek. While hiking Montana’s Granite Peak, he slipped, resulting in a trekking pole impaling his chest. Fortunately the stick missed vital organs, and rather than call for aerial assistance, the seasoned medical professional chose to descend the mountain on foot.
Using his clinical training, Cifaldi immediately assessed his wound, applied pressure, and prevented further infection. He continued to trek 10 miles down the mountain, nursing his injury en route. The unusual self‑rescue underscores the importance of situational awareness and medical preparedness in wilderness expeditions.
