Saturday's incident
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:39 pm
Dear friends,
On Saturday, March 13 I had a heart attack while in the air.
Heart attacks don’t happen in an instant, the symptoms start building up,
and gradually take over.
I was near the Towers, just climbing out after a long straggle, soon joined by John.
The moment I knew what’s happening, I went for landing.
Coming down turned into a challenge, as all of a sudden the whole area over the canyon
burst in lifty air.
I put it down as safely as I could.
Dave happened to be filming right there, so I gestured him to help me, as I was
already running out of power.
I remember getting out of the harness, taking some Nitro pills,
guys rushing to me, and from there it’s a blur.
This time around it was very different, there was an enormous pain,
absolutely lights out.
Then, I know, guys in the LZ carried me to the table, had all ready before the ambulance came.
The other thing that happens when having a heart attack is when finally the cardio team
reaches the blockage in the artery and unclogs it. It feels like a ruptured dam, all the pain, all the
suffering are gone in an instant.
And that’s when I became aware of things, I saw my heart on giant screens, felt a catheter moving trough my wrist, when they were placing a stent, heard their conversations.
So I got lucky again. Didn’t take too long from the beginning to end, thanks to you, my friends,
therefore, my heart muscle didn’t get damaged. The doctor said the heart is in good shape, will recover quickly.
I am home now, feel good, resting and recovering.
First of all, I want to THANK YOU ALL, who were there for me. You did your best by
promptly mobilizing, taking first steps and handing me over to med professionals.
That is what saved my life!
And then you took care of my gear afterwards.
I don’t mention names, because I am afraid, I might miss someone.
I will thank you all personally.
My HG future is not clear at this point.
Before I returned to the sport after my previous heart attack, I worked really hard
to insure the safety. Years of physical conditioning, regular checkups, doctors’ approval and encouragements to go back to my favorite activities.
Never mind the 15 years of experience, I took it easy again, started out with a falcon on a training hill, and gradually shook the rust off of my wings.
I passed my last heart stress test in December. Results were excellent.
My old stents are clear and wide open.
Didn’t have any warning signs or slightest symptoms, not the day it happened, nor before that.
Yet it happened.
The doctor had some ideas, like dislodged old buildup in the artery, but nobody knows for sure.
So that’s where I am now.
I will get back on my feet soon. As far as flying goes, it’s complicated.
Time will show.
All the best, fly safe.
On Saturday, March 13 I had a heart attack while in the air.
Heart attacks don’t happen in an instant, the symptoms start building up,
and gradually take over.
I was near the Towers, just climbing out after a long straggle, soon joined by John.
The moment I knew what’s happening, I went for landing.
Coming down turned into a challenge, as all of a sudden the whole area over the canyon
burst in lifty air.
I put it down as safely as I could.
Dave happened to be filming right there, so I gestured him to help me, as I was
already running out of power.
I remember getting out of the harness, taking some Nitro pills,
guys rushing to me, and from there it’s a blur.
This time around it was very different, there was an enormous pain,
absolutely lights out.
Then, I know, guys in the LZ carried me to the table, had all ready before the ambulance came.
The other thing that happens when having a heart attack is when finally the cardio team
reaches the blockage in the artery and unclogs it. It feels like a ruptured dam, all the pain, all the
suffering are gone in an instant.
And that’s when I became aware of things, I saw my heart on giant screens, felt a catheter moving trough my wrist, when they were placing a stent, heard their conversations.
So I got lucky again. Didn’t take too long from the beginning to end, thanks to you, my friends,
therefore, my heart muscle didn’t get damaged. The doctor said the heart is in good shape, will recover quickly.
I am home now, feel good, resting and recovering.
First of all, I want to THANK YOU ALL, who were there for me. You did your best by
promptly mobilizing, taking first steps and handing me over to med professionals.
That is what saved my life!
And then you took care of my gear afterwards.
I don’t mention names, because I am afraid, I might miss someone.
I will thank you all personally.
My HG future is not clear at this point.
Before I returned to the sport after my previous heart attack, I worked really hard
to insure the safety. Years of physical conditioning, regular checkups, doctors’ approval and encouragements to go back to my favorite activities.
Never mind the 15 years of experience, I took it easy again, started out with a falcon on a training hill, and gradually shook the rust off of my wings.
I passed my last heart stress test in December. Results were excellent.
My old stents are clear and wide open.
Didn’t have any warning signs or slightest symptoms, not the day it happened, nor before that.
Yet it happened.
The doctor had some ideas, like dislodged old buildup in the artery, but nobody knows for sure.
So that’s where I am now.
I will get back on my feet soon. As far as flying goes, it’s complicated.
Time will show.
All the best, fly safe.