This next story comes to us from Linda Turgeon from Inspiring Solutions Staging & Redesign.

"A few winters ago my daughter Raelyn and I were very excited to get our tubing gear out after many, many inches of snow. We packed everything up and headed for a hill that everyone loved to sled on. On the ride there we talked about our lunch plans and what we would do for the rest of the day. When arriving at the hill it looked perfect for tubing. There were several families there that were just as thrilled about all the snow we had gotten. We bundled up and got our gear out of the car and heading for the top. I don't remember how many runs we got in going side by side, but the last one we decided to hold on to each other tube. It started out fast and continued to pick up speed. This certainly was the fastest run yet! There was no stopping us when we hit a plowed snow banking and went up and over. We were both airborne, my daughter hit the icy pavement first and I landed across her. A scream came from her that sent chills running up my spine. I got up and told her not to move until I could understand what she was screaming about. Calmly, I spoke to her and repeated that she look directly at me and tell me where she was hurt. It was her leg, one look at it; I knew by the way it was off to one side, it was broken. I took off my jacket to cover her and sweater to put under her head. I calmly told her that I was going to run to the car to get my phone. She began crying and asking me not to leave her. At this point a woman had come over to see if we were alright. I ask her to stay with Raelyn so I could run to get my phone. As it turned out she had her phone close by. I ask her to please call for help. The words that came out of her mouth next shocked me. Lady: "Who should I call?" Me: (Thinking in my head,  is she serious?) "911" Lady: "What do I say?" Me: "Tell them someone got hurt sledding and you need an ambulance." Lady: "Where are we?" Me: "PLEASE GIVE ME THE PHONE" I gave 911 the information, the ambulance came and off to the hospital we went. After a couple of operations, screws in her ankle and a cast for months, she recuperated perfectly. She only carries two small scars on her ankle! The scars that I carry, are inside me forever.

 One of the things I have learned from Safety Trainers since this accident; be a better communicator with the person who has the phone and the 911 operator. What I should have said was "call 911 explain to them what happened." "Make sure you give them your phone number in case you get cut off." "The address is.....

 We never expect to encounter situations like this, but take the time to prepare yourself, because when they happen, they happen fast and the only way to be in control is to be prepared with Safety Trainers expertise."

This story can teach us two lessons. First, the proper way to handle a situation. Linda did a great job of staying calm and keeping her daughter calm. She assessed what the problem was and knew she needed to call for help. Also, using people around you USUALLY will help the situation.

Second, The importance of making a 911 call and knowing what to say. The individual that had the phone seemed completely clueless on how make a 911 call. That is the most important thing to do in all emergences, call for help.

Thanks to Linda for sharing this with us. I hope that everyone who reads this can take something from it. I know I did.

Our next story comes to us from Dave McLaren at McLaren & Associates, CPA's.

"In 1991, on my way back from Waltham, I was following a red Ford Probe in heavy traffic about 5:30 on a Friday. All lanes were doing a steady 60 mph. Around Exit 13, where the road curves, I noticed the car in front of me slowly work its way onto the grassy median as if the driver fell asleep. All of a sudden, he swerved back into the fast lane, sending the car into a skid sideways at 60 mph. Suddenly, his rear tires (on the grass) hit a drain, the car swung around, plowed into the guardrail and then bounced off and rolled into the center lane. A trailer truck traveling at 60 mph T-boned the car sending the driver crashing out of his passenger window with his body flipping end over end on the highway as his car disintegrated and shot 100 yards down the highway. The truck never stopped. After stopping my vehicle and calling the police, I was stunned to see this man stand up, white as a ghost, covered in blood, start walking into oncoming traffic as the middle and slow lanes were still going by at 60 mph. I ran out of my car and grabbed him right before another driver hit him. He was in shock and had blood pumping out of his head, arm and leg. I was too afraid to let him lay down as I thought he would die on me. No one stopped for the accident. I ran to my trunk, got a blanket and a first aid kit and covered him and began applying pressure to his severe wounds. An EMT finally stopped to help me after about 10 minutes. The police arrived shortly thereafter. The actions saved his live and he recovered quickly."

I would like to thank Dave for sharing his story with us. Also, I would like to point out that Dave went above and beyond what is expected from a bystander and would like to congratulate him for that.