Injuries

[McSatan]

Just had a bit of not very happy news. My knee is properly Donald Ducked. The anterior cruciate ligament has snapped completely, and the two side ones are partially ruptured.[1] I need reconstructive surgery, which isn't actually as bad as it sounds, and has a very high success rate. Mobile within a couple of weeks, but around 6 months to full recovery. So.. my question is this, is it OK to just do flags (obviously letting the relevant people know) given that even in an emergency I wouldn't be able to do running, other than chucking myself out of the way of immediate danger? Is pit lane an option? I'd never really thought about it before.

[1] I suppose it's what I get for doing more marshalling on the 'Dark Side' (Superbikes/Moto GP) as Bodysnatcher calls it, this year, and heaving all those nasty smelly noisy motorbikes out of the gravel and running with them.

[bella]

can't help with the marshalling stuff but... some of the ski forums (snowheads in particular) have great case studies on their injury boards and experiences from people who have had similar operations and their recovery rates.

on that note if you have any say in the matter it'd be a good idea to get the operation done before the ski season rush starts in december

[MagnetON]

Originally Posted by McSatan

So.. my question is this, is it OK to just do flags (obviously letting the relevant people know) given that even in an emergency I wouldn't be able to do running

As long as you let the CM know in advance I'm sure most circuits can accomodate. Just ask our own Mr T.

[Steve Tarrant]

Originally Posted by MagnetON

As long as you let the CM know in advance I'm sure most circuits can accomodate. Just ask our own Mr T.

As above, talk it through with the chief marshal. There's plenty of non-running jobs around.

[TrueBlueFlyer]

Folks at Silverstone were super when it came to dealing with my minor injury that felt like the end of the world for me They let me do flags instead of intervention, until it became unbearable... awesome people!

[deley]

Originally Posted by McSatan

Just had a bit of not very happy news. My knee is properly Donald Ducked. The anterior cruciate ligament has snapped completely, and the two side ones are partially ruptured.[1] I need reconstructive surgery, which isn't actually as bad as it sounds, and has a very high success rate. Mobile within a couple of weeks, but around 6 months to full recovery. So.. my question is this, is it OK to just do flags (obviously letting the relevant people know) given that even in an emergency I wouldn't be able to do running, other than chucking myself out of the way of immediate danger? Is pit lane an option? I'd never really thought about it before.

[1] I suppose it's what I get for doing more marshalling on the 'Dark Side' (Superbikes/Moto GP) as Bodysnatcher calls it, this year, and heaving all those nasty smelly noisy motorbikes out of the gravel and running with them.

I am sure it wasn't meant like this but, just to be clear, the role of Flag Marshal is not some sort of "soft option" for those "not fit enough to do incident". Many posts have less than ideal conditions and you often have very limited choices as to where and how to position yourself in order to flag effectively.

From a safety perspective I for one would not want to be flagging at many of the posts without being able to get out of the way pretty sharpish (ok those where you need binoculars to see the track may be an exception) but somewhere like P4 at Brands is not to be treated lightly as recent weeks have shown.

Bear in mind that it is not only your safety but also that of your colleagues that must determine if you should actually be marshalling.

I am sure that there would be ways to accomodate you during your recovery and efforts have been made for others in the past - it is just a matter of finding a suitable task even if it means doing something new or off the bank for a while.

The sensible thing, as has been said, would be to talk to the Chief Marshal for any particular club/meeting in advance and discuss options once you know how your recovery is going but remember the last thing you will want to do is to put yourself in a position where you could easily set your recovery back.

As an idea, if you can get along to one of the training days next year it would be worth you having a chat with some of the more experienced folks there about options for later in the season. If at Brands then happy to help point you at people.



Dave

[Woolley]

Yes, but running away (doesn't work anyway, it's always going to catch you) is not the same exertion as running too and from an incident. And more to the point with an ACL, pushing things when you get there. Many rugby players will confirm that last bit...

Don't see a problem with sticking to flagging for the duration. You may need extra support to begin with if you're standing all day, but again, shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure the CM is aware in advance so they can post you in places where there's more protection and a little distance.

6 months is a pretty reasonable estimate providing you rest it appropriately and do the work you're given on it. Can't imagine the pain - I strained mine at school and that was bad enough.

[Slipstick]

Originally Posted by deley

I am sure it wasn't meant like this but, just to be clear, the role of Flag Marshal is not some sort of "soft option" for those "not fit enough to do incident".

Are you sure ? That's a shame cus I'm definitely not fit enough to clear a tyre wall in one bound, run through loads of gravel carrying a bottle and then push a car or two around but I thought I could manage a good day flagging.

I was already resigned to not upgrading because it's compulsory to do incident for an upgrade but I guess this means I'll have to give up marshalling completely .

Steve

[TWRv12]

Originally Posted by Woolley

Yes, but running away (doesn't work anyway, it's always going to catch you)

Believe me it does, sometimes. Seen an accident where the car landed where the marshal was posted, luckily he ran away and escaped. All over in a couple of seconds.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by TWRv12

Believe me it does, sometimes. Seen an accident where the car landed where the marshal was posted, luckily he ran away and escaped. All over in a couple of seconds.

I know what you mean, and I've dodged one or two myself, but it's more of the 'a couple of steps one way or the other' type of move. You haven't got time for anything else and often you've first to get off the post anyway. In terms of exertion, not quite the same as a couple of hundred yards through gravel carrying a big metal cylinder or pushing an Austin Healey.

If you run away from it like a proper scaredy-cat, it's always going to chase you and it's always going to win

[McSatan]

Originally Posted by Woolley

Yes, but running away (doesn't work anyway, it's always going to catch you) is not the same exertion as running too and from an incident. And more to the point with an ACL, pushing things when you get there. Many rugby players will confirm that last bit....

It was picking up and pushing a bike out of gravel/mud at Cooper at the last BSB that did it originally, then being too macho/stupid to rest or seek medical attention for a week, when the remaining bits of ligament gave up the ghost. There's a lesson in there somewhere. Probably 'don't marshal motorbikes in a monsoon, it's far too much like hard work'

[pauln]

Don't forget that there's other options than Incident/Flags. Assembly, Startline and Pits are all worth considering and all vital to running a race meeting.

[McSatan]

Originally Posted by pauln

Don't forget that there's other options than Incident/Flags. Assembly, Startline and Pits are all worth considering and all vital to running a race meeting.

Absolutely, might be a chance to try all the things that I wouldn't otherwise have thought about.

[NICK ALLISON]

Take advice from your surgeon or GP first particularly in respect of weight bearing activities and physical activity using the injured limb in particular. I have broken fibula and fractured ankle( and did not know for 5 days) and as such physical activity is discouraged whilst it heals.I have learned to do as the medics tell you and short term "overdoing it" early in the recovery process may inflict additional short and long term damage to the injury site and lengthen the period for a full recovery. Also as always your welfare and safety is the premium consideration and should not be compromised .IMO general pits duties are not suitable until you are properly mobile and as an aside it is as frustrating as hell to miss meetings due to an injury of this nature.
I will go back to practicing my technique on crutches now.Good luck.

[Shelagh]

I think I've done more exercise, as in running around, doing Assembly than I ever did when flagging.

You have to think about your limitations. But you're not having my "Pit Lane Hooter" job!

Winter break (for us non-rally types) coming up. So use it to rest up, recover and then consider what you're able to do next season. You don't have to volunteer for the same grade for the whole of the year so give yourself time to get sorted out. The marshalling world (jobs) is currently your mollusc!

[numbersix]

Originally Posted by Slipstick

...because it's compulsory to do incident for an upgrade but I guess this means I'll have to give up marshalling completely .
Steve

Not compulsory. You just need reasons to be regarded as a special case and an injury or infirmity counts as that. Different procedure, that's all.

A good flaggie is worth their weight in gold. You don't need to be Usain Bolt.

[Pitsmarion]

I would echo what Nick says, general Pits and Startline are not static roles, as there's a lot of trotting about in the Pits and even some real running on Startline in most club events. On some circuits/events you may be able to be relatively static doing Pit Lane exit, but even here there's a lot of standing and the occasional need to get out of the way. Another possibility might be working alongside Chief Flag on the pit wall, lap charting, giving driver flag signals, etc, again mostly static if you don't go on to the gantry but a lot of standing. I agree with the others, you should talk with the event CM to see what would be suitable both for you and the event.

Whatever happens, I hope the op goes well, and that you have a safe and speedy recovery!