My father had a horrific ocean accident this afternoon
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (119636)
United States
September 3, 2023 8:33pm CST
I wish I could say I was using hyperbole but I'm not. I received a text message from my cousin at like 5 pm telling me that I had to rush to the ER because my dad had been in some kind of accident and it didn't look good.
When I got there I learned that my father was body surfing in the ocean (as he has done for 65+ years) and caught a wave the wrong way which resulted in him slamming his head into the sea floor. My sister and BIL saw it happen (thank Darwin) and immediately rushed to the water. My dad was unconscious and underwater for at least 30 seconds and when my BIL pulled him out he wasn't breathing and he was in cardiac arrest. My sister broke his ribs performing CPR and mouth to mouth until lifeguards and EMS arrived. They used the shock paddles to try to restart his heart but that didn't work. I think epinephrine or something like that is what wound up getting his heart going again.
Once the ER had him stabilized my mother, sister, and I were allowed to see him. He opened his eyes for us many times. He was trying to talk but he couldn't because of the ventilator. We saw his toes twitch a few times. He has a cervical collar on to keep his head immobilized. We had to tell the doctor if we wanted him resuscitated if he goes into cardiac arrest again.
I left when they were taking him for a CT scan of like everything. They will then move him to the ICU. Other family members plan on staying all night but I don't feel the need to do that. I will go back in the morning as soon as visitor hours begin.
My mother has been telling him for years to stop body surfing. My dad always replied that he'd been doing it all his life. This was a freak accident. I'm so happy that he survived it. My sister is wracked with guilt because she broke his ribs. I told her that she *had* to in order to save his life. I don't know what the overall prognosis will be but he is alive and he saw that we were all there around him telling him we love him. That's something to be thankful for for now.
30 people like this
25 responses
@GardenGerty (160697)
• United States
4 Sep 23
Oh my goodness. It only takes a second for something like that to happen. I am glad he knew you all were there. I will pray for him and for your family. I hope to read good news from you, or at least better news tomorrow.
6 people like this
@marguicha (223077)
• Chile
4 Sep 23
I´m so very sorry, dear I wish I could pray but as I can´t and don´t, I´ll do next best and ask my friend Dixie to have her prayer group place him in her prayers. Could you send me his name by message? Do keep us posted. I will be thinking about him and wishing that he gets well soon.
4 people like this
@kaylachan (69826)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 Sep 23
Sending good vibes your way. Hoping he makes a full recovery.
5 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
25 Dec
@NJChicaa Oh, crap. That’s what I heard, but thought I received the wrong information after reading your other post. I am really so sorry. I know how close you were. Such a tragic loss. I’m also sorry that I wasn’t on myLot to support you in your time of need and grief. Try to remember the wonderful memories of everything you shared and the laughter. Know that he’s watching over you, too.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37565)
•
4 Sep 23
Oh, I am just so sorry. It's wonderful that they were able to get him back, and that your sister knew CPR. It's sure not her fault that his ribs broke, that happens more than we know. You will all be in my thoughts, and I truly do hope he recovers fully.
3 people like this
@Kouponkaren (5503)
• United States
7 Sep 23
Oh yes, it's so wonderful that you were all there with him and he saw you. I am so happy for you all in terms of that.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
4 Sep 23
Oh my goodness, that upsets me to read! Your Dad is in my prayers. I really pray he will recover well
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79892)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 Sep 23
OMG first virtual hugs to you and hang in there, I will put your dad in my prayers and I hope he recovers fully. Many blessings to your family,
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (44544)
• Staten Island, New York
5 Sep 23
Oh no! This is terrible, especially knowing that he has passed away.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14760)
• San Jose, California
5 Sep 23
OMG! I'm only just now getting caught up on things, I am so sorry I missed this earlier. I'm thinking of you hard right now.
1 person likes this
@tolledojasmin (8)
•
5 Sep 23
Yes, we should be grateful that he is alive. We still need to be positive despite of circumstances happen in our life. We hope for his full recovery.
1 person likes this