Chis Salin (Injured @ Spaceland)

[carbonezone 0]

<> Elli called the other night and let us know this happened. Lets see what we can do!
I AM WRITING ON BEHALF OF THE CHRIS SALIN RECOVERY FUND.
PLEASE, POST THIS INFO ON YOUR SITE. AND SHARE IT WITH ANY OTHER SITES.
HE IS STILL IN THE CRITICAL CARE UNIT AT HUSTON AFTER CRASHING AT SPACELAND IN
AN APRIL COMPETITION.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE TRICK HE WAS EXECUTING OR THE TERMS SKYDIVERS USE
FOR HIS BURN IN.
CHRISTOPHER IS FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE,
HE IS OPENING HIS EYES AFTER A WEEK IN CRITICAL CARE.
HE HAS HAD SEVERAL SURGURIES AND HAS TO GO THROUGH MANY MORE.
CHRISTINE HAS LEFT SCHOOL AND WORK TO STAY WITH CHRISTOPHER. THE FUND WAS SET
UP BY TJ FARNSWORTH AND PAUL MANN TO ASSIST THEM IN THIS TIME OF NEED.
DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE "CHRIS SALIN RECOVERY FUND" AND SENT TO
TJ FARNSWORTH,
3726 LINK VALLEY,
HUSTON TX 77025
OR TO
PAUL MANN,
3407 NORTHEAST PARKWAY STE 170,
SAN ANTONIO TX 78218-3349
ANY AND ALL PRAYERS OR DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AND APPRECIATED GREATLY.
LARGER DONATIONS MAY BE WIRE TRANSFERRED DIRECTLY INTO THE ACCOUNT
CHRIS SALIN RECOVERY FUND, BANK OF AMERICA BENEFIT FUND 713-668-1512
I KNOW THERE IS VIDEO AVAILABLE AND RUNNING STILLS.
ATTACHED IS A PHOTO OF CHRISTOPHER SALIN.
Scotty -n- Tami

[rgoper 0]

i don't believe i have ever met this sky diver, but my heart goes out to his family, and his friends. this kind of tradegy always brings a mixture of emotions from all of us, it truly is a sad day when one of the "family" has been hurt, or injured. we just lost another sky diver not too long ago on this same DZ. (not to imply fault) hopefully we can start having more "traing & safety" days at the DZ's all over texas, and try to eliminate this type of incident all together. again, my bests wishes to chris.
Richard
"Gravity Is My Friend"

[AggieDave 6]

We (the people at Spaceland's FFF) last week were there when Chris hooked in. [sad] It was odd that no one posted it, but I do know in some of the messages back and forth with the people who knew him or were there we didn't want to post anything before the rest of Chris' friends that may sometimes see this site had heard.
I was still sleeping in the bed of my truck when the accident happeneds, so I didn't actually see it. I awoke to the commotion following. What I was told is that Chris, who was trying to swoop the pond, attempted to execute a 360 front riser turn but was too low.
My heart goes out to him, although I didn't know him well and had never actually jumped with him, I had hung around with him a bit when I had visited San Marcos (his home DZ) and some when I saw him at Spaceland. Also joked with him on the ride to altitude a few times, being that he's a FF and we seemed to end up in the same area of the plane.
On a side note, Chris was the one who almost beat Ramon in the speed dive comp that was heald during the FFF, he had a 260 something, although the year before he had won the event with a 280 something.
My thoughts and prayers have been out to Chris and will continue to be.
A human cannonball, I rise above it all
Up higher then a trapieze, I can fly

[Viking 0]

RUPUTURED AORTIC VALVE
PELVIS BROKEN IN 3 PLACES AND SEPARATED FROM SACRUM
LUMBAR 1 THROUGH 5 ALL DISKS RUPUTURED AND EVERY VERTIBRE EITHER BROKEN OR FRACTURED
COMPOUND LEG FRACTURE
KIDNEY FAILURE
BURST BLADDER
that right there is one tough person!!! wow
Heal fast brother.
I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver

[skybytch 273]

Hang in there Chris... and Chris' family and friends....
Are blood donations needed also? If they are and anyone knows how those of us not in Texas could help with that please post the info.
pull & flare,
lisa

[skycat 0]

I'm not sure how this works out of state but for those in TX who what to donate here is the info, not only is blood needed, but also platelets.
Blood Donations:
Yesterday I spoke to the Austin Blood & Tissue facility here and Dolly was most helpful. She said that every city is different but you will need to provide certain information. Dolly said that if he has insurance that it will pay for the blood (but there is a limit). Also spoke to Cindy Walker the Social Worker for Memorial Hermann Hospital yesterday and she said most insurance companies only pay so much for blood and there is a deductible. She stated the more we can donate the better off his account will be, so please give. Jeff Freeman of Lubbock donated in Chris's name and he had to provide the following information: Christopher Frederick Salin, 6401a shadow valley, Austin 78731 512-695-8529, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas

[ramon 0]

Since word is out, I guess freinds and family want it known.
One pint of blood donated in his name covers 10% of the total cost of administering a pint of blood in the hospital (testing storage, salries of workers etc).
Please donate. I went and a coworker volunteered to go with me at lunch time, it takes about 15 minutes in and out of the clinic. follow the sintructions in Skycats post.
peace
ramon

[Kelly 0]

hmm...
guys, this is one cause that hits home for me.. Chris is a friend that we ment while in zhills over new years eve.. He's a great guy. I'm talking a total sweet heart, fun to be with, devilish in his ways if you give him a camera or video camera... He's a really awesome person, even if he doesnt believe a chicken can live with its head cut off (world records 18 months!).....
Chris is awesome. totally awesome. I cant put better words to him.
Liz and I are working on fundraising ideas... i might do some sort of discount packing thing... no idea. In any case, please guys.. we've helped eachother out.. now one of our family needs it.
thanks
kel
http://kel197.tripod.com/skydivefriendsTRIPOD/

[rking12 0]

This was very sad. He hit just across form the swoop ditch from me. It looked like he simply misjudged his altitude as he started his hook turn. He hit incredibly hard as you can imagine. There were some wonderful people there instantly giving aid and gently supporting him in the water. He was conscience and talking through it all. He is tough! They had a back board and neck brace but the sad part is only the ambulance can call for an airlift. It seemed to take forever for them to get there and then we had to wait on the helicopter. Seems like 20 minutes or so just for the ambulance but it might as well have been hours, we were all on pins and needles. To me it addressed a very important issue. Have an ambulance on the DZ if you are having swoop competition! No blame on anyone but we have learned a lesson. Competition changes everything. All of a sudden we have all kinds of spectators and new obstacles not to mention they are going to push just a little harder.
Lots of Prayers for Chris.
If whomever opened the bank account will open a PayPal account it would be very easy for us to contribute. Maybe a helpchris@dropzone.com e-mail address to send the money too?

[airann 1]

Hello-
Just so you know, I stopped alot of you form posting this incident and I did it cause Chris is a friend of mine. And I knew that some folks did not know yet on the day I asked that we not post it.
I was out at the dropzone on the Sunday of this incident and I didnt want to read it here. The family didnt want it posted, especially just after the fact. I would rather his friends or family make the post.
Now that he is doing better, ....
There was some speculation as to "post it and we can learn from it."
I have seen the video 2.5 times and heard it 3 times. Being a friend of his and watching him here in my living room on various videos and especially right with me on my 100th. I wish I would never have seen this tape.
It was an accident to my friend and I can tell you that is all it is. Nothing about jump numbers or swooping or winds or whatever you can dream up will change the fact that my friend Chris had an accident and was hurt really really bad.
All I know is this.. everytime you see someone hurt it .... You just never think it will happen to you or someone you know. Then you feel like going over your outs over this thing or that thing and we do it.
So if you want to learn anything from a low swoop- then do so.
Maybe its just me... maybe I am just a little too close for comfort on this issue .... but ..... its just very hard when a friend gets hurt this badly and this year alone there have been many friends of mine get hurt. I dont know.
On the Sunday a week ago, we were praying not posting.
Please donate blood, or donate to the fund. Thanks, Ann
Ann ~ www.AirAnn.com
Anyone want a Kitten?

[nacmacfeegle 0]

Just in case there is any misunderstanding on Rich's post,
"All of a sudden we have all kinds of spectators and new obstacles"
There were no obstacles, or spectators in the swoop path.
Not getting at you Rich, just trying to avoid any confusion or needless debate.
My prayers, and vibes are with yours for Chris and his loved ones in this difficult time......He is an incredibly strong guy, and he should pull through, but it will probably be a long road to travel.
Peace...
Cya
D

[rking12 0]

Sorry I didn't mean to say anyone or anything was in the way. Just wanted folks to think about how things can change during a competition compared to normal every day operations. Seems like swoop competitions are having major accidents we don't see everyday on the DZ. Were there ambulances at any of the others? Anyone know?
I raced motorcycles for years. We never started a race without the ambulance on the scene. It could save lives...
Sorry, this is about Chris and we need to put this somewhere else...

[airann 1]

This is only me talking here,.... my honest opinion.. so,
A number of years ago when Houston had their first swoop event with Jim Slayton getting that together out at Waller. It was a great time but people flew home with broken bones. Everyone I know that skydives has seen someone get hurt. Sprained ankle, bruised arm... my scratches on my face once and the scars. That took place with my hand caught in the risers and I had long fingernails. The smallest accident cant be a place issue. Its my issue. I jumped out over where ever. Maybe I just got up that day. I dont know everything that is in store for me.
I dont know about ambulances or that kind of thing at sporting events. Likely those events have gone on for a long time and the sport is seen on TV and maybe funding -I dont know about motorcyle stuff.
About the helicopter getting there- clouds came in and they had flares out for the helicopter to see.... it couldnt get there any faster, I dont think.
The operation that Dr Red Duke started with helicopters is a really good thing to get to the accident fast and get the injured to the hospital fast. Weather is the only thing that could delay this. I believe there is your reason. However, I was not at the dropzone at the exact time period referrenced. Only later and then it would be flying on instruments. Again I am not a pilot or anything, but I wouldnt know where to land if I couldnt see it. So, I know that they wanted to be there quicker cause we in the medical field know time is an issue.
The hospitals in Houston (Houston Medical Center) are the best around. People come from all over the world to go there for one thing or another- always serious, usually.
A person in the Houston Medical Center would be getting the very best care possible. I have been in the medical field 22 years and seen alot of stuff in Orthopedics, (bones). I said before, I saw the tape of the accident regretfully. And I have seen introduction of bone cement, grafts, and unbelieveable things with rods, screws and implants. I saw a man from a car accident not only live but walk- with about 1/2 of Home Depot in there. I almost want to call him Metal Man or Titanium Tim.
There are about 206 bones in the human body and over 230 moveable and semi-moveable joints. And it is an amazing thing but healing takes a long time. Its going on now from the smallest cell of blood taking things back and forth. Sometimes it takes a while before we can visually see a difference.
Nothing short of all of us praying and Chris being as strong a person as he is and his family right there with his music and presence ......... I can not say .... how glad I will be to see my friend again.
Everything will be better. We will support our family in this or anytime we have injuries. Accidents happen all over the world in cars on skateboards, riding a bike, running, walking or sneezing. In your home, outside or at the grocery store an accident can happen. You must be aware at all times that you could fall down or part of the Space program could hit you in the head. LOL
But that is just me, I remember when Sky Lab was going to come down and nobody knew where it was going to go. I figured it would go wherever I was that day. So, I went about my business. But I am funny like that.
We are skydivers and we should know the drill, I just dont want to see any insensitive things written here, during this time.
....and I dont believe that chicken thing either..... Ha...Ann ~ www.AirAnn.com
Anyone want a Kitten?

[Slappie 9]

I'm so sad to think about this happening. I was there on Saturday and we all partied like there was no tomorrow..
I'm kinda glad I didn't make it out on Sunday.
May all my prayers and wishes go out to you Chris!! Your one helluva nice guy and a great skydiver! You'll be back brother!! I'm off to donate blood...
My New Website with 24hr Chat

[ramon 0]

If you know how to check private messages, check it.Chris is a cool cat. very sad.
ramon

[artsmith 0]

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT CHRIS NEEDS SUPPORT NOW. I KNOW TH EVENT IS GETTING FARTHER INTO THE PAST BUT PLEEEEESE DON'T FORGET ABOUT IT.

[skycat 0]

Oh man you had to show a pic with the disco helmet....I think I'm going to start crying now....
Chris is such a wonderful person, I really hope that things work out for him and that we are able to help him out.

[artsmith 0]

Love you Chris. So glad you are still pulling. You are an amazing man. I love you, and by reading the responses, so does everyone else. You are a wonderful man and I thank you for teaching Christine that love comes in such a beautiful way.