Nine years ago, I nearly drowned.
It was a frigid February morning at Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross, Essex. I was working as a paramedic on a specialist team at the time. Me and a bunch of other new recruits were on a training course to qualify as swiftwater rescue technicians so we could provide medical attention to people in and around water.
If you’ve never been to Lee Valley, it’s really something. The water is so powerful in certain places it makes you feel like a feeble twig utterly at the mercy of a raging river.
Anyway, at one point, I ended up exhausted after getting stuck in an eddy (basically a whirlpool) in an attempt to get behind one of the giant plastic blocks used to control the current. Round and round I spun until I couldn’t swim any more and my head began to dip below the waterline. Fortunately, a quick-thinking colleague saw my distress and tossed me a throw-line. So, I didn’t die.
I’m not exaggerating for effect. Fast-flowing water is extremely dangerous. You can drown in an instant if even a small amount of water gets into your lungs when you’re fatigued.
The reason I’m telling you this is because I thought it was a suitably interesting introduction to the point I’m going to share with you today:
Self, Team, Casualty
This is an abbreviated version of something called the Hierarchy of Rescue. A principle used by the emergency services to render aid without getting themselves hurt or killed and making the whole situation worse.
Believe it or not, failing to adhere to the Hierarchy of Rescue is probably why you’re struggling to stay in shape.
I shall explain: You’re decent. The sort of guy who puts others first. This is commendable.
However, this attitude will torpedo any chance you’ve got of building and maintaining a strong, lean, and healthy body if you’re not very careful.
Why?
You’re so busy looking after everyone else, you neglect your own needs. This is a mistake. A mistake born of the best intentions, but a mistake nonetheless.
The fact is, you cannot properly serve others unless you are in peak condition. Moreover, the only way to get and stay in peak condition is to put yourself first.
Fail to do so, and you will fall off the wagon and lose whatever results you’ve worked so hard to gain. You’ll also be more stressed, tired, and prone to ill health, which will make you less effective in your role as protector and provider.
Therefore, you must apply the Hierarchy of Rescue if you are to stand any chance of being the best you can possibly be, not only for yourself but also for those who rely on you.
Remember: Self, Team, Casualty.
“Self” is you. “Team” is your immediate family and close friends. And “Casualty” is a metaphor for anyone and everyone else you need to serve in some capacity. Business associates, clients, employees, whoever.
Stick to this, and the rest will follow.
It’s not easy, but nothing worthwhile is.
And if you’ve had enough of “easy”, The Phil Tyreman Letter could be right up your street.
Maybe.
More info here:
www.philtyreman.co.uk/information
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman