There is more to a person's life than what you see on Instagram.
REMINDER: THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. has no obligation to monitor the Forums. However, THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. reserves the right to review any materials submitted to or posted on the Forums, and remove, delete, redact or otherwise modify such materials, in its sole discretion and for any reason whatsoever, at any time and from time to time, without notice or further obligation to you. THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. has no obligation to display or post any materials provided by you. THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. reserves the right to disclose, at any time and from time to time, any information or materials that we deem necessary or appropriate to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, contract obligation, legal or dispute process or government request. Click on the following hyperlinks to further read the applicable Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
RIP Mikala Jones
- Thread starter Truth
- Start date
I heard his wife and kids were at the resort too. 
Sorry, a tourniquet would do nothing for a 10 cm wound and a severed femoral artery higher up than the leg, which this injury reportedly was. You would need an immediate vascular clamp or someone trained to apply pressure (if injury was low enough), and even then I’m not sure a person could survive this injury outside the hospital.
Unfortunately you’re right. It’s scary to think about an injury that severe could happen to anyone surfing and there’s little you can do about it if it does.
heartbreaking. I don’t dwell much on risk while surfing, but it’s injuries like this, and maybe broken backs and necks, that pop up in my head more often than drowning or sharks
I think there was a discussion years ago about sharp fins. I might sand mine down. I’ve seen a lot of bloody fin wounds. Even on a shin or a foot they bleed like crazy. F-ing terrible.
how many of us are super lucky to still be alive? Rip
I think there was a discussion years ago about sharp fins. I might sand mine down. I’ve seen a lot of bloody fin wounds. Even on a shin or a foot they bleed like crazy. F-ing terrible.
how many of us are super lucky to still be alive? Rip
Duller? No, sharper and more flex? Yes.
We are all mortal here, as Mr. Mojorisin once told us, "noone here gets out alive!".
R.I.P. Mikala, may you enjoy chilling Bin Tangs with the other great one up there surely awaiting your arrival.
Mr. Bickerton will surely receive you with open arms Mikala.
So sad. Heartbreaking. And his wife and kids were back at the camp. I can't imagine the pain/sorrow they're experiencing. Sending positive energy to his family.
So many awesome shots of Mikala. Most barreled guy ever?
This is just so sad...surfing is dangerous, waves with power, sharp things we ride..ya just never know. I've had stitches. My good friend and locally famous Northcoast surfer Greg G had his femoral artery punctured at HTs in the Ments. His travel partner and solid no hesitation knows what to do guy JT immediately stuck his hand in there and stopped the bleeding and saved Greg's life. Ironic thing is JT later died of cancer, Greg is still charging.
Truly horrible. RIP.
I had a close call when I was 17. Did a backside floater and during reentry the backwash blew up under me, flipping my board upside down. The nose of the board got stuck in the sand and I landed on my fin right in my groin area. Went to the ER and doc said I missed my femeral by a couple millimeters (luckily didn't lose a nut either). Took 18 stitches inside and out to close it up. Didn't think much of it back then cause when you're 17 you think you're invincible, but hearing this story really gave me chills.
I had a close call when I was 17. Did a backside floater and during reentry the backwash blew up under me, flipping my board upside down. The nose of the board got stuck in the sand and I landed on my fin right in my groin area. Went to the ER and doc said I missed my femeral by a couple millimeters (luckily didn't lose a nut either). Took 18 stitches inside and out to close it up. Didn't think much of it back then cause when you're 17 you think you're invincible, but hearing this story really gave me chills.
Never really thought of this. Is there a "safest way" to exit a barrel in which you will not be coming out of? I've had barrels clamp on me all the time and never actually thought about it. Not really aware of a best practice I guess. Eject into the wall of the wave? Any real barrel hunter's advice here?
Rest in pits forever Mikala. Thoughts go to his family, so tragic. Cant imagine the pain they are in
pencil dive works can confirm
(452) HOW TO FALL OR EJECT IN A CLOSEOUT BARREL/ GET LESS WORKED! - YouTube
Sand the trailing edge of your fins and avoid G10 like the plague.
Probably would not have made a difference for Mikala. But it’s a good rule of thumb, especially for the average joe who would notice no difference in performance.
Last edited:
So awful. Watching some of the video of cats charging heavy Greenbush and Skeleton Bay I always think about what happens if you have a really catastrophic injury like this. A femoral puncture of course, is just about the worst even if you're amidst civilization. But still....