UFV student was lucky to be alive after losing his footing. It started as free time to check the Cascade Falls landmark but ended as a near-death experience for one UFV student.
According to Cole Nutma, he was to be alive after falling into a pool of water above the iconic waterfall. With his last-ditch effort of strength and adrenaline, he pulled himself out of the pool before he would have dropped to a sure death around 100 feet below.
Minutes before the plunge
The physical geography student from Terrace was taking some photos of the area as part of a personal project when he decided to hike above the waterfall. The fresh rainfall a day before softened the ground and Nutma lost his footing, dropping into the pool and was swept up in the undercurrent.
According to Nutma, he was walking towards the edge and when he took a step forward, the ground gave away and there was nothing to hold on to. His back was immediately pinned up against the rock wall and was stuck in the pool for several minutes before he regained composure and started to search for a way out. He was able to keep his head up and was screaming and trying to call people but his phone was waterlogged.
When he settled, he found a way to lift his body out of the undercurrent and jump out of the water. He was able to catch the attention of a family of 3 and a pair of women who helped him dry off with blankets and warm coffee. Nutma went to Mission Hospital for first aid care but only sustained minor injuries, mostly on his tailbone.
The necessity of first aid training
During emergencies, it is best that you are knowledgeable about basic first aid skills. You must enroll in first aid and CPR course to be prepared. You never know when emergencies occur and where.
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Learn how to help by enrolling in a course on first aid and for more information, check out these sources: