Thank You to "Jeff" unsure of your last name

Big ups to Jeff!

That same exact thing happened to me about 15 years ago. I didn't have a cut like you but developed a major egg size lump on the side of my head. Never went to the hospital, no insurance......after about a week the swelling subsided and I could feel an indentation on my temple at about eyebrow height. Definately broke the bone. Since that day I can feel a little dent there but haven't had any issues.

Im curious what treatment you had at the hospital?

Just two years ago the same senario happened, pulled into a closeout barrel and while getting spun around underwater I was struck by my board in the head again! This time it broke my zygomatic arch,....unfortunately it left a visible dent in my face........ had to have it set back by a plastic surgeon. Very scary but all better now :-)

Just a cautionary tale. I always try to cover my head best I can while in the spin cycle these days.

No open hands with X marks the spot when you're going down :( Sprained hand here. Was pretty bad. I never thought my fingers would ever say hello to my wrist, but they almost did.

Hey man glad to hear you're okay. I brought you a roll TP to clean your wound and called 911. You seemed in good condition when you left. But fractured skull? Damn..Glad we called the medics...Gotta be extra careful with head injuries and let's all look out for one another..props for Jeff! And attached is a pic for posterity....

Three years ago I got slammed inside a closeout barrel. I balled up and covered my head to protect myself from my board. Made me nice and compact. Got bounced off the bottom like a basketball. Two broken ribs. Took about four months before I could take a proper sh*t again. Just glad it wasn't my neck. Might have been better off tangling with the board.
At any rate, glad you're OK.

I am stoked your ok!
AND doubly stoked that once again bystanders stepped up!

Hey let's all be careful out there!

Good to hear you will be back in the water sooner than latter.

Not sure it would have helped in this case, but Nose Guards are a cheap way to prevent or lessen injury. Mine saved me a speared leg recently during some inner bar washing.

I've also suffered a head wound resulting from my board attacking me during a wipeout. I was really lucky that "Jeff" was on the beach to help a brother out. Head injuries are a double whammo because the disorientation and confusion from getting your bell rung can be even worse than the bloody cut. If you're lucky enough to be surfing some of the more remote areas along the coast, cell coverage may not be reliable and 911 may not be an option without a long drive (yet another risk surfing in shark country). If you don't already have a 1st aid kit in your truck, you probably owe it to "Jeff" to put one together. Who knows? He might stumble out of the surf one day and need your help. Aloha.

Its always good to hear about surfers looking out for each other. Have fun, be safe.