Callum Smith was enjoying a day of wakeboarding on Lake Argyle in the state’s far north when he took a fall that almost cost him his arm.
His partner Jess was the spotter on the boat and alerted the skipper that Callum had fallen.
“The skipper slowed the boat then powered up to turn around, but he didn’t know my arm had slipped and become trapped in the ski handle, dragging me along,” Callum said.
Those on the boat realised something was wrong and pulled Callum from the water. Callum was in extreme pain and his arm had turned purple, with dark stretch marks.
With limited phone reception, the group struggled to connect to Triple Zero. Callum told his friends to activate the boat’s emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB). The EPIRB sent a signal to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in Canberra which alerted nearby Kununurra police about the emergency. Officers picked up Callum and Jess at the boat ramp and drove them a short way before they were met by an ambulance crew, who rushed them to Kununurra Hospital as Callum’s arm continued to swell.
Jess works as a hand therapist and told the medical staff that she suspected Callum was suffering from compartment syndrome, a build-up of pressure from internal bleeding or tissue swelling that strangles muscles, arteries and nerves. If left untreated, this can cause permanent damage and in severe cases, even death.
Kununurra Hospital staff called the RFDS, and it was agreed Callum needed urgent treatment. He was transferred to Darwin Hospital for surgery, which is a 45 minute flight rather than a three and a half hour journey to Perth. Callum recalls the RFDS clinicians keeping him calm during the flight.
“I remember looking out the window of the plane and thinking to myself, is this really happening?” Callum recalls.
He was rushed into surgery and the surgeon later told him that if he had arrived even 30 minutes later, the muscle could have lost all blood flow, leading to loss of function or even amputation.
If it wasn’t for the RFDS, I probably would’ve lost my arm.
CallumIt was seven months before Callum could return to work as a heavy diesel mechanic, and he is still undergoing arm and hand therapy. He has lost most nerve sensation in his arm, but is grateful to have full movement.
“I can’t wait to get back on the wakeboard,” Callum said, “I’m not selling my boat, I will be back on the water as soon as I can.”
