As has been pointed out a broken back is a case of degree's of broke. Bear broke his in 3 places and spent time laid up. How bad it was and where he did his healing all has to do with how well he can function now.
I have 2 slipped discs and still sky dive and other things. I know a friend of a friend in the military who had a broken back, he complained about persistent back ache and eventually the medics x-rayed him and found a broken vertebrae. He naturally compensated for the break with his muscle development, whilst he had his 'bad back' he was deployed, did some military parachuting and took part in a lot of active training. I know of at least two sky divers that have had technically broken necks that are now healed.
Survival expert: Check out what I said above about the TA SAS. At the three year point which Bear had reached he had just about finished his training. Never mind being a survival instructor he had probably only done his CS training along with the rest.
Climbing Everest: Definately an achievement, with £15K you too could do it if you were so inclined. A New Zealand company has set ropes all the way to the summit and it is available to anyone with the will, inclination and dosh.
I have 2 slipped discs and still sky dive and other things. I know a friend of a friend in the military who had a broken back, he complained about persistent back ache and eventually the medics x-rayed him and found a broken vertebrae. He naturally compensated for the break with his muscle development, whilst he had his 'bad back' he was deployed, did some military parachuting and took part in a lot of active training. I know of at least two sky divers that have had technically broken necks that are now healed.
Survival expert: Check out what I said above about the TA SAS. At the three year point which Bear had reached he had just about finished his training. Never mind being a survival instructor he had probably only done his CS training along with the rest.
Climbing Everest: Definately an achievement, with £15K you too could do it if you were so inclined. A New Zealand company has set ropes all the way to the summit and it is available to anyone with the will, inclination and dosh.