Climber cuts off own arm with pocket knife
Aron Ralston of Aspen, Colorado, is a very tough guy. That is now established beyond doubt.
When he was out climbing, his arm became trapped by a falling boulder. He spent four days trapped until he ran out of water, and realised that there was no way he could be found as the spot was not visible from the air. Drastic action was required.
Using his pocketknife, he amputated his arm below the elbow and applied a tourniquet and administered first aid.He then rigged anchors, fixed a rope and rappelled 75 feet to the canyon floor.He hiked downstream and was spotted about 3 p.m. by a Utah Public Safety Helicopter.
He is now hospitalised in a serious condition.
I always carry my Victorinox pocket knife around. You never know when somebody trapped under a boulder might need to borrow it.