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I have to come clean. I've heard quite a few comments regarding small of the back carry and potential for spinal injury from falling on one's weapon. For the most part I have passed it off as something between malarky and minute possibility.

Well, until one experiences it, some things are hard to relate to and understand. Without going into all of the embarrassing and ego bruising details, I had an experience Saturday that helped me understand what others have been talking about. I took a tumble and landed with my gun between my rib cage and the seat of a picnic bench. I was wearing my gun at just about at the 8:00 position (lefty) and the hammer and slide found their way into my ribs. I am very confident one there is one broken rib and am thinking another one is either cracked or bruised significantly. During the last few days recuperating and trying not to breath, I've been thanking God for a broken rib rather than a broken vertebrae.

Moral of the story, don't be so quick to discount what may actually be wisdom of others. It is wisdom itself when one learns from other's mistakes.

I am glad it wasn't worse for you. Thanks for sharing your story.

WildBill wrote:I am glad it wasn't worse for you. Thanks for posting your story.

Thanks

mojo84 wrote:I have to come clean. I've heard quite a few comments regarding small of the back carry and potential for spinal injury from falling on one's weapon. For the most part I have passed it off as something between malarky and minute possibility.

Well, until one experiences it, some things are hard to relate to and understand. Without going into all of the embarrassing and ego bruising details, I had an experience Saturday that helped me understand what others have been talking about. I took a tumble and landed with my gun between my rib cage and the seat of a picnic bench. I was wearing my gun at just about at the 8:00 position (lefty) and the hammer and slide found their way into my ribs. I am very confident one there is one broken rib and am thinking another one is either cracked or bruised significantly. During the last few days recuperating and trying not to breath, I've been thanking God for a broken rib rather than a broken vertebrae.

Moral of the story, don't be so quick to discount what may actually be wisdom of others. It is wisdom itself when one learns from other's mistakes.

I hope you get to feeling better soon. I carried SOB for years both when off duty as a LEO and after obtaining my CHL. I never had any accidents with it, but I was fully aware of the potential risk. But for me that was the most comfortable way to CC. After OC came about I switched to OWB at 3 oclock because I was less concerned about accidentally exposing my gun, and its is even more comfortable than SOB. I can't see me going back to any IWB carry, unless I find just the perfect combination of gun and holster.

I'm glad you weren't injured any more than you were. I know what those ribs feel like when they don't let you take a deep breath without screaming in pain.

All of my back problems (for 30 years) stem from fighting a subject trying to subdue him and fell on my handcuffs that I carried SOB. I promise you it is not the way to go.

Praying for you and I hope you heal quickly.

Prayers for quick healing.
I have never discounted any of those stories. Many years ago I took a tumble down a creek bank and had a hunting knife on (pre-CHL era). The handle hit just right and broke my bottom rib. So I do feel for you

Agree with all of the above, nevertheless, our member E.Marquez crashed a motorcycle not too long ago with a pistol carried SOB, and he attributes the damage done to the pistol for saving his back from injury instead. All the same, I think the common wisdom applies more often than not.

The Annoyed Man wrote:Agree with all of the above, nevertheless, our member E.Marquez crashed a motorcycle not too long ago with a pistol carried SOB, and he attributes the damage done to the pistol for saving his back from injury instead. All the same, I think the common wisdom applies more often than not.

I am not doubting E.Marquez's experience, but sometimes people are spared serious injury by fortuitous circumstances.

I have known people who refused to wear a seat belt because some one they heard about survived a crash by being thrown free from the car.

I have also heard the stories about drunk drivers having fewer injuries in car crashes because their limp muscles saved them from having broken bones.

And then there is the firsthand experience of Carlson1 sustaining a long term injury from wearing handcuffs SOB.

mojo84 wrote:I have to come clean. I've heard quite a few comments regarding small of the back carry and potential for spinal injury from falling on one's weapon. For the most part I have passed it off as something between malarky and minute possibility.

Well, until one experiences it, some things are hard to relate to and understand. Without going into all of the embarrassing and ego bruising details, I had an experience Saturday that helped me understand what others have been talking about. I took a tumble and landed with my gun between my rib cage and the seat of a picnic bench. I was wearing my gun at just about at the 8:00 position (lefty) and the hammer and slide found their way into my ribs. I am very confident one there is one broken rib and am thinking another one is either cracked or bruised significantly. During the last few days recuperating and trying not to breath, I've been thanking God for a broken rib rather than a broken vertebrae.

Moral of the story, don't be so quick to discount what may actually be wisdom of others. It is wisdom itself when one learns from other's mistakes.

Sorry to hear of your injury. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Small of back is a vulnerable place. It carries a lot of weight, has to bend a lot, and supports it all with a single column of bone. Be careful with it.

I had a friend in the Air Force who was a psychologist at Wilford Hall. I asked him once what he did all day, what was he treating people for? He said the majority of his practice was helping people develop skills for coping with chronic back pain that was likely never going to be cured. They just had to learn to live with it. That was pretty sobering.

Appreciate all the well wishes and comments. I am definitely on the mend physically. My ego is still quite bruised and may not be healing quite as quickly.

mojo84 wrote:Appreciate all the well wishes and comments. I am definitely on the mend physically. My ego is still quite bruised and may not be healing quite as quickly.

I am glad to hear that. A couple years ago I took a fall when I wasn't looking where I was going. Trying to take a picture while walking [dumb] on a crooked sidewalk.
I only got a couple of cuts and bruises. When people asked if I was hurt, I told them mostly my pride.

Having had both broken ribs and crushed vertebrae, thankfully not at the same time, I can tell you your instincts about which to have are right on. Neither is a good idea, but between the two, the ribs have it! Try not to break any more than you have to.

Try real hard not to get pneumonia.